Leatherman Skeletool CX - Camping and survival DIY multi-tool made in the USA with 7 essential built-in tools including pliers, wire cutter, and a knife, in stainless steel with a nylon holster

Product Information

The Leatherman Wingman is a full size multi tool designed for the value market. It includes a selection of the most in demand tools found in multi tools but built for occasional use. The Wingman has full sized pliers, a full size combo knife, and a large pair of scissors. I found over time that the knife is well suited to small tasks but I occasionally wished for a full sized knife for some things – like puncturing oil bottles, cutting cardboard, that sort of thing. I also found the handles on the pliers to be somewhat uncomfortable in extended use due to the odd shape and some sharp edges. But this isn’t a dedicated tool – it’s a lightweight minimalistic do-everything tool. It’s not going to work as well as the pliers on the Charge or cut things as well as a PM2. It does a good job of covering your needs at home but it’s not quite up to snuff as a dedicated work tool, which I think is what Leatherman was going for anyway. The Leatherman Wave+ brings heaps of value to the Leatherman line-up. Leatherman takes 90% of what makes the Charge so impressive and sells it for 60% of the cost. What you get is the Wave+ and an excellent value. The Leatherman Wingman is even less expensive, by a significant margin, but has fewer features and is made with lesser quality materials (though most users may not notice the weight savings of steel vs. titanium casing). For a full-featured tool, the Wave+ is the bargain shopper's choice. Screwdrivers: The multitool features both a Phillips and a flathead screwdriver, offering versatility for tightening or loosening screws during camping trips. Apply a small amount of lubricant to the pivot points and hinges periodically to ensure smooth operation.

And yet, it doesn’t. A full size multitool has much better pliers. A full size knife is much more ergonomic and useful. People like having options. All those useless gadgets on multitools are why people buy them and keep them around, in case they need to use an awl or a gut hook. A Multitool is meant to prepare you for “anything.” Part of the appeal of the Skeletool line is how stripped down they are. If you want to customize your Skeletool a bit there are plenty of accessories that can improve it.There are several different variants of the Skeletool, including the Skeletool CX and Skeletool RX. You also have multiple color and pattern choices. Each variety folds out butterfly style and has a variety of different tools and types of blades. Leatherman Skeletool Original, CX and RX Tools The Freestyle is to the Skeletool what the Skeletool is to the Wave+, a stripped down version. It combines the pliers of the Skeletool with a combo 420HC blade. There’s no getting around it though, the Skeletool isn’t really a full size multi tool. It has no saw, no scissors, and none of the features like can openers, corkscrews or a steel file. If you’re looking for a full size and fully functional multi tool you should look elsewhere.

The Signal is Leatherman’s wilderness survival multi tool. It provides you with 19 different tools and is tailor made for hikers, campers, and other outdoorsman. It’s built on a slightly less beefy version of the Leatherman MUT frame and uses a butterfly fold design. The few tools it includes — an upgraded steel blade, good pliers, screwdrivers, and a bottle opener — are the most often used, and this tool gets these right. But that's it; if you're seeking all the tools possible, you'll be let down with this stripped-down modal. Of the remaining tools, though, our biggest complaint is with the bit driver. With the Skeletool CX, even more than with other models, Leatherman could have easily included a standard 1/4" bit driver. Still, we have tested this model for over three years, and it has slowly grown on us. Thus, the Skeletool is our top recommendation for a portable, daily multi-tool to leave clipped on your person at all times. Finally, the fully open position with the pliers deployed is arguable what these tools are all about. The curvature of the handles makes sense once you’re using the pliers – the carabiner side arm is concave to locate your fingers solidly, and the other side is convex to make it more comfortable for your palm. The pliers are narrow at the tip to use as needle nose for grabbing small objects, but you can also use the middle of the pliers to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts. I’ve successfully used the inner portion of the pliers to cut and strip wires for wiring repairs before – it requires a little practice to strip wires, but it works well for smaller (18-22ga) wires like those found in car electrical systems. This exceptional product is equipped with almost every imaginable tool, organized and optimized for compact function

A purpose-built, specialized tool for outdoor adventure and wilderness survival, while also serving purpose around the house Beyond the Edge Ltd is based in Sheffield two hours by train from London and within easy travelling distance from Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham and other Northern towns and cities. It finishes its tool load with fixed screwdrivers and a small can opener and file. It’s larger and heavier than the Skeletool but provides only marginally more functionality. It also costs only slightly less than the Skeletool.