I’m a big fan of Leatherman multi-tools, and am especially fond of their Skeletool. I bought a Leatherman Skeletool knife a couple of years ago, and while not as ideally suited to my tastes (or as pricey) as some of my other EDC knifes, it is a solid performer.
These Skeletool knives are also pretty easy to recommend – they are slim, lightweight, and comfortable to use. Plus, they’re backed by Leatherman’s 25 year guarantee.
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The Skeletool KB and KBX knives feature 2.6″ blades made from 420HC stainless steel, and they’re very light at just 1.3 oz. The knives feature a liner lock, and also a dual-use pocket clip that doubles as a bottle opener.
The KB has a plain edge blade and the KBX has a partially serrated blade.
There are a couple of different colors available: plain stainless steel, black, green, blue, and coyote tan.
Price: $30
Buy Now: Plain Edge Blade via Amazon
Buy Now: Partially Serrated via Amazon
See Also:
Hot Deal on the Leatherman Skeletool Multi-Tool: Amazon Black Friday 2020 Week
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Travis
I have the KBX, which is currently misplaced. It’s a great little knife. Hopefully it shows up soon. Otherwise I may need to order a new one!
Lucas
If y’all are in the market for a nice little EDC knife for cheap Ruger is having a pretty good sale on their branded knives made by CRKT. I picked up a few for stocking stuffers and was very impressed with the quality for $15, originally asking $40-50, had to order a few more just for me lol.
There’s two versions with two different blade styles and both came razor sharp, some of their other knives are on sale as well but I only have experience with these two models from Ruger. My other CRKT knives are great though and I wouldn’t hesitate to buy anything they make, same goes for Ruger as well of course.
https://shopruger.com/Ruger-LCK/productinfo/18661/
https://shopruger.com/Ruger-LCK/productinfo/18660/
blocky
On my Skeletool CX, that 420HC steel is quite tough and touches up easily. If I had a standard Skeletool, I’d consider buying one of these just for the blade.
For me, I can’t give up the pliers. I’ve got other fun blades that don’t see as much use because nothing else is pliers when you need them.
Koko The Talking Ape
The cool thing I’ve found about these knives is that the deep cutout in one scale exposes the liner lock, so that this knife is easier to close than a lot of other liner lock knives. Liner locks are strong, cheap and don’t take up much space, but they can be slower or harder to use than other locks. This design deals with that issue nicely.
PW
I have bought about a dozen leatherman tools over the years, and the Skeletool lineup remains my favorite. Lightweight, disappears into your pocket, good steel, and just generally well thought out designs that work well in practice.
I’m a little biased though, these are made in my hometown. I’ve toured the factory and want those jobs to stay!
Travis
I don’t always EDC a multi tool? Do you recommend the skeletool line up as a good place to start?
PW
It’s all about personal preference. I like the skeletool because it’s relatively thin and light, and clips comfortably inside my change pocket. The pliers are a useful size, smaller than the full sized leatherman tools but bigger than the smallest ones. The build quality is good, it doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy to me.
I also like the carabineer clip, which is nice for hiking and other activities.
However, it’s pricier than the ‘entry level’ level models and has a minimalist tool set.
blocky
I agree with PW. I’ve owned at least a dozen multitools, half of them leathermans, and after observing how I use different models, both casually and at work, the three actually indispensable, used just about every daily tools (for me, and I suspect for most people) are: knife, pliers, basic screwdriver.
When I want to go light, which is most days, I bring the Skeletool. When I know I’ll be doing tool intensive, possibly delicate work, I bring the Swisstool Spirit X. The rest have landed in vehicles or rolling kits, and they work fine/ are there when I need them.
Except for those two, no other multi-tools have balanced usefulness vs. worth the weight to carry it around (for me). The whole point of a multitool is for it to be on hand when you happen to need it. If it’s too heavy or bulked out with tools you never use, you’ll probably leave it at home.
Travis
Thanks for the comments guys. Guess I need to think about my needs a little closer and do some research.
Stuart
I think the Skeletool is an excellent starting point.
Knife
Pliers (and wire cutter)
Screwdriver
It’s compact, light, and comfortable.
JoeM
The day they fully Black-Oxide the Skeletool KB, in Black, and couple it with a Skeletool with a FULLY Serrated Clip-End or Sheepsfoot blade instead of a Combo blade, again… Black-Oxide… I’m nabbing that Skeletool set. I hate combo blades. I love the design of the Sheepsfoot knife on the Crunch, and the regular Serrated knife on the Wave/Surge/Charge family of tools.
Only problem is… People see WAY too much redundancy in all this… so, this will probably never happen. Makes me sad, really.
Nathan
wonder if leatherman will sell you the smooth blade for that only so you can replace the dual type blade on the skeltool device
Stuart
They will not sell knife or multi-tool blades separately.
Chad
Been a skeletool owner since day one first one was a smooth blade i broke the tip sent it in and they replaces it with a serrated blade … didnt bother me but i lost it at my farm one year i liked it so much I bought another and never had any issues
I also bought the KBx and love it too great knives perfect for office duties of boxes and letters
go get one !!
Don
Have you ever done a review on Oerla Knives?