History: Skeletool

Jaws

Plier jaws are larger than the Squirt P4 jaws, but considerably smaller than full size jaws found on the Kick or Charge. Best comparison would be with the Juice series of tools.

There are fine serrations near the nose, a gripping area below that, and a wire cutter area near the pivot. (Including a hard wire notch)

Shallow pockets are liberally scattered around the surface of the pliers. The effect on reducing weight is minimal, they are primarily for appearance.

Handles/Frame

Skeletool handles are perhaps more complex than that of any other multitool. Not counting rivets, the handles are made up of over ten separate components.

On the "carabiner handle" a skeletonized channel of sheet metal is wrapped around a stack of three backspring plates. Attached to that is a contoured piece of aluminum, containing a pocket for holding the spare screwdriver bit. The bit is held in place by yet another piece of sheet metal.

The ""bit driver handle" also consists of a sheet metal channel, this one wrapped around a stack of two backspring plates. Attached is another sheet metal channel, this one containing the knife blade.

Finish is brushed stainless all over.

There is no date coding on the Skeletool.

Blades and Tools

The only folding device on the Skeletool is its locking knife blade. The blade measures 2-1/2" long. (63mm) It is made from 420HC stainless.

A bit driver is mounted in one handle that accepts Leatherman's flattened hex bits. A spring-loaded locking tab prevents the bit from falling out during carry.

Locking Mechanism

The knife blade locks open via a standard liner lock.

Other Features

Carabiner with spring-loaded gate. The carabiner is intended to also function as a bottle opener.

A spare screwdriver bit is contained in one handle, held in place by a piece of flat spring stock on the handle.

Removable pocket clip.

Sheath

None.

Dimensions

• Length open= 6" (150mm)
• Length closed = 4-1/4" (108mm)
• Width closed = 1-1/4" (33mm)
• Thickness = 5/8" (16mm)
• Weight = 5 oz (142g)

Variations

First year models (2008) will have a plain edged 420HC steel blade, while newer models (2009 and up) will have partially serrated 420HC steel blades. This change according to Leatherman was based on customer feedback and real world testing. This is valuable information for the collector as the Skeletool series does not have a date stamp as other Leatherman models do.

History

Announced at the 2007 Shot Show. Did not become generally available until early 2008.

Related Tools

The Skeletool is very similar to the Skeletool CX and the Freestyle and Freestyle CX. There are also two keychain Leatherman tools that are based on the Skeletool chasis the Style PS and the Style CS.

More Info

• Skeletool Review at Multitool.org
• Skeletool and Skeletool CX User's Guide
• Skeletool advertisement - from early 2008.

Off The Record

• Occasionally Skeletool bit holders were found to be too loose. A simple bend of the sheet metal is all it takes to put them in fine order. More details can be found HERE.
• A common complaint about the Skeletool is that the detent bump "catches" when trying to deploy the knife blade. This becomes less of an issue with use, as the bump eventually wears down. Details on a quicker fix can be found HERE.