One characteristic that distinguishes man from most animals is his ability to use tools to change his environment. From the invention of the wheel to the automobile, abacus to the personal computer, man’s greatest strength is in the tools he develops to enrich his life. In the traditional sense of the word, the concept of the “tool” has evolved beyond comprehension. What started with a shaped stone for cutting or a club for hunting has today become the ultimate pocket gadget, the modern multi-tool.

You can’t mention “multi-tool” without the name Leatherman. While the multi-tool concept was popularized by the Swiss, it was perfected just 25 years ago by a man named Tim Leatherman. Fast forward to 2008, and the Leatherman Tool Group begins shipping its latest evolution of the modern multi-tool, the Leatherman Skeletool and Leatherman Skeletool CX. The team at Leatherman was nice enough to send a Skeletool to GearCrave for review and a giveaway to our readers. Continue reading, GearCravers, for our take on the new Skeletool, its functionality, and why we think you might just need one in your own pocket…

The Skeletool has come a long way since Tim Leatherman’s 1983 “Pocket Survival Tool” prototype. In the Skeletool, the original Leatherman concept remains– but it has borrowed from the successes of different Leatherman products in the last 25 years. The Leatherman Skeletool is a stainless steel mutli-tool including only the most basic, necessary tools of the classic Leatherman. No corkscrews, no nail files, no scissors– just the most common, vital tools for the handyman and hobbyist alike. Its design has received a stunning update, pushing the trends in industrial design with its “skeletal” shaping and the tungsten coating on the Skeletool CX model. With that, the name “Skeletool” was no mistake to describe this tool in both form (skeletal) and function (basic).

As shown above, the Leatherman Skeletool includes a set of pliers with four applications, a stainless steel blade, a carabiner/bottle opener and a 4-headed universal bit driver. Let’s take a close look at each function, starting with the multi-tool as a whole.

• The Skeletool: Wow. At first glance, we were surprised at just how sexy this tool is. Unlike the classic Leatherman, this tool appears to be complicated, advanced, albeit a little spooky. Our first few times opening it, we were worried about injury– but after getting to know it, we admit that was a little naive.
• The Pliers/Wire Cutters: The pliers are not spring-loaded, a quality we prefer. We want pliers that grip, not pliers that flirt. These pliers can be used both needlenosed and standard. The wire cutters allow for basic wire cutting and a rounded groove for tougher wires that need a little more muscle.
• The Stainless Steel Blade: This non-spring loaded, lockable blade stands on its own when you need to cut. Unlike the multi-bladed Swiss Army knives, the Skeletool keeps it basic. The blade placement borrows its design from the 1998 Leatherman Wave, where the blade was placed on the outer handle so it could be accessed without opening the full tool.
• The Universal Bit Driver: The screwdriver in the tool handle can be used without fully opening the multi-tool. Instead of the “V” shape of the open tool, one half of the tool can be opened to form a long “I” shape for a fully-extended screwdriver. It can take a lot of torque, we tested it around the Crave House. We are a little concerned about the bit storage in the tool handle– while the alternate bit is secured, we wouldn’t be surprised if a few Skeletool owners are going to lose their bits.
• The Carabiner/Bottle Opener: This carabiner ain’t meant for climbing, but it’s a great way to attach this tool to your belt or hang it in your workshop. The bottle opener is pretty straightforward. It opens your beer!

We first ran a post about the Leatherman Skeletool CX back in December and we were thrilled when Leatherman offered to send one our way. Our review is positive, across the board. We’ll be giving away our review model to a lucky GearCrave reader, more on that later today. Its tough for us to let it go– and if it tells you anything about our opinion of the Skeletool, we’ve already ordered one from Amazon to replace it.

For most of us in the northern half of the globe, Spring is thawing out the winter blues. That brings quite a bit of repairs and upgrades around the GearCrave home, we’re glad we’ll be armed with the Skeletool this time around. For those who need a multi-tool around the house, you’re looking at the best option on the market. If you, like us, want to get yours, check out the Amazon links below.

Leatherman Skeletool: from $59.85.
Leatherman Skeletool CX: from $79.85.