ToolGuyd

Tool Reviews, New Tool Previews, Best Tool Guides, Tool Deals, and More!

  • New Tools
  • Reviews
  • Guides
    • Best Cordless Power Tool Brand
    • Tool Brands: Who Owns What?
    • Best Cordless Drills (2021)
    • Dewalt UWO Explained
    • Where to Buy Tools
    • Best Tool Kit Upgrades
    • Best Extension Cord Size
    • Best Tape Measure
    • Best Safety Gear
    • Best Precision Screwdrivers
    • Best Tool Brands in Every Category
    • Ultimate Tool Gift Guide
    • More Buying Guides
  • Hand Tools
    • Bit Holders & Drivers
    • EDC, Pocket, & Multitools
    • Electrical Tools
    • Flashlights & Worklights
    • Knives
    • Mechanics’ Tools
    • Pliers
    • Screwdrivers
    • Sockets & Drive Tools
    • Wrenches
    • All Hand Tools
  • Power Tools
    • Accessories
    • Cordless
    • Drills & Drivers
    • Oscillating Tools
    • Saws
    • Woodworking Tools
    • All Power Tools
  • Brands
    • Bosch
    • Craftsman
    • Dewalt
    • Makita
    • Milwaukee
    • Ryobi
    • All Brands
  • USA-Made
  • Deals
ToolGuyd > Hand Tools > EDC, Pocket, & Multitools > The New Leatherman Freestyle – Preview
Holiday Tool Deals: Amazon Home Depot Milwaukee Dewalt
Best Holiday Tool Deals - by Type

The New Leatherman Freestyle – Preview

Apr 2, 2009 Stuart 5 Comments

If you buy something through our links, ToolGuyd might earn an affiliate commission.

new-leatherman-freestyle

Leatherman’s new Freestyle is due to be released in May, and we are very excited. Leatherman’s Freestyle is based off of their Skeletool design, but whereas the Skeletool is a full-size tool, the Freestyle is slightly smaller and lighter, making it a more pocket-friendly tool. Full-size knife? Check. Full-size pliers? Check. “I want one now” factor? Check.

A little over a year ago, we saw photos of the soon to be released Leatherman Freestyle. At the time, the Freestyle was intended to be a lower cost version of the Skeletool, replacing the bit holder with a single screwdriver tip, with Zytel used in the handle instead of aluminum or carbon fiber.

Advertisement

freestyle-knife-open

Freestyle, Knife Extended

Suddenly, however, news and images of the Freestyle disappeared. After a few months, it appeared as though Leatherman abandoned the Freestyle concept completely. Much to our surprise, the Freestyle design has recently reappeared, and it looks as if it underwent some drastic design changes.

leatherman-freestyle-comparison

Original Freestyle Concept vs. New Freestyle Design

The new Freestyle is a smaller and lighter adaptation of the popular Skeletool design. Rather than just being a lower cost Skeletool variant, the new Freestyle looks like it can hold its own as either a “companion” or stand-alone tool.

Advertisement

As you can see, the new Freestyle does away with the carabiner clip/bottle opener, as well as the screwdriver bit. I carry a Skeletool clipped to my pocket six days a week, and can confirm that the carabiner clip is bulky, and won’t be missed.

freestyle-vs-skeletool-comparison

Freestyle (top) vs. Skeletool (bottom) Size Comparison

The absence of a screwdriver or bit holder will take some getting used to, but considering that I mostly use my Skeletool’s pliers and knife, I’ll surely get over it. Besides, when I know I’ll need a portable screwdriver, I carry my PB Swiss Insider anyways.

The Freestyle will be available in two versions – standard and CX. The standard version will come with a stainless steel body, combination plain and serrated edge knife, zytel insert, and kick-ass pliers. The CX version will come with a DLC-coated stainless steel body, plain edge knife made from a higher grade of steel, carbon fiber insert, and the same kick-ass pliers. The MSRP is set at $48 and $72, respectively.

Street Price: $30 for the standard model; the Freestyle CX has been discontinued.

Buy Now(via Amazon)

(There are rumors that Skeletool prices may drop when the Freestyle is released, but we doubt it – the current prices are the absolute lowest that we’ve ever seen for these tools.)

Related posts:

Engineer PH-55 Tetsuwan EDC Scissors5 Awesome EDC Scissors That are Small But Capable Skeletool EDC Folding KnivesGift Guide 2020: Leatherman Skeletool Pocket Knife

Sections: EDC, Pocket, & Multitools, Hand Tools, Knives, ToolGuyd Favorites More from: Leatherman

« What We’re Reading: Make #17
There’s Nothing Like a Good Dead Blow »

5 Comments

  1. Sean

    Apr 2, 2009

    How are you going to open your beer now?

    Reply
  2. Speedmaster

    Jul 30, 2009

    Just picked up a Freestyle, love it so far!

    Reply
  3. best leatherman tools

    Feb 2, 2011

    This new leatherman freestyle multitool looks very nice. But I am sure there is still best than this. But I am interested with this freestyle.

    Reply
  4. Jason

    Jun 10, 2015

    “The absence of a screwdriver or bit holder will take some getting used to, but considering that I mostly use my Skeletool’s pliers and knife, I’ll surely get over it. ”

    Thats one way to play softball.

    Reply
    • Stuart

      Jun 10, 2015

      It has been 6 years since I wrote this post. Sometime between then and now, I bought a Freestyle. I used the Freestyle maybe a couple of times, but prefer the Skeletool. It’s not just the screwdriver, but the overall feel of the tool. The Freestyle’s not for me.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Newsletter

Sign up to receive the latest tool news.

ToolGuyd Forum

Recent Comments

  • Tim on Bosch AmpShare – What’s New 7 Months Later?: “Meanwhile Rothenberger has several tools on the Metabo CAS system.”
  • James on Bosch AmpShare – What’s New 7 Months Later?: “As someone somewhat heavily invested in Bosch batteries, I’m watching this space..”
  • Nathan on It’s Cordless Hammer Time: “My last Ryobi auto hammer broke and I was able to purchase the Skil for 69 doll hairs. Got the…”
  • Stuart on Huge Home Depot Cyber Monday Tool Deals – Today Only!: “I’m sorry to hear that. If it goes back in stock, you can try calling them to see if you…”
  • Stuart on New Milwaukee M18 FREE Tool Deal is Even Better: “The best pricing strategy depends on the tool(s).”
  • A W on Huge Home Depot Cyber Monday Tool Deals – Today Only!: “Unfortunately just got an email that this part of the order “had to be canceled due to a problem with…”

Recent Posts

  • Bosch AmpShare - What's New 7 Months Later?
  • Flir's Pocket Thermal Imaging Camera is on Sale
  • New Milwaukee M18 FREE Tool Deal is Even Better
  • Lowe's Restocked the Kobalt Mini Tool Box in 4 Colors
  • Watch: Festool Efficiency Elf Commercial
  • Irwin Tools Holiday 2023 Gift Guide
  • Home Depot Pulled the Plug on their Best Ryobi Tool Deal
  • Festool Put a Cordless Miter Saw on Wheels
ToolGuyd New Tool Reviews Image

New Tool Reviews

Buying Guides

  • Best Cordless Drills
  • Best Euro Hand Tool Brands
  • Best Tool Brands
  • Best Cordless Power Tool Brands
  • Tools for New Parents
  • Ultimate Tool Gift & Upgrade Guide
ToolGuyd Knife Reviews Image

Knife Reviews

ToolGuyd Multi-Tool Reviews Image

Multi-Tool Reviews

ToolGuyd LED Flashlight and Worklight Reviews Image

LED Light Reviews

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Stores
  • Videos
  • AMZN Deal Finder
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclosure