One of the most important tells was the evenness of the resistance when unfolding the pliers. Our experience is that a sloppy, loose hinge out of the box is only going to get worse over time. We carried the more successful multi-tools around over the course of three weeks, using them for everything we could.
This testing was done in rural New Hampshire, so the tools also came in handy repairing some fencing and cutting the twine on bale after bale after bale of hay. After spending three weeks testing 19 multi-tools, we found that the best was clearly the Leatherman Skeletool CX.
It has only the most essential items, a minimalist approach that places it among the slimmest, lightest, and easiest-to-carry multi-tools. The edge of the externally mounted knife lasts longer than a standard Leatherman blade, and the other tools—screwdrivers, pliers, and a bottle opener built into a carabiner clip—are all quick, capable, and convenient. Its asymmetrical handle design creates a curved grip that feels comfortable as the pliers, knife, or screwdriver. The Skeletool CX offers only the most essential tools and nothing else.
The handles unfold easily and are comfortable to grip for the kinds of small, quick projects that multi-tools do. In his test, he is able to make cuts through thick twisted sisal rope with the CM blade before it stops being able to cut paper.
With the same test, he gets only 60 cuts with the HC blade. We like that the blade on the CX has a straight edge, not the partially serrated kind you see on the regular Skeletool or the Free P2.
The blade deployment on the CX is among the best of any multi-tool. Instead of individual screwdrivers, the CX uses a bit holder at the end of one handle. It comes with two double-sided bits, one Philips and one flat. If you need more selection, Leatherman sells complete bit sets compatible with the CX. A carabiner in the other handle, along with a pocket clip, give multiple options for carrying the Skeletool CX: The carabiner can clip to a belt loop, as a review by Colligan explains, or attach to a backpack or even hang it from a nail in the workshop.
The pocket clip has a nice spring to it and always worked as expected. We were satisfied with the pocket clip for daily carry, but during projects, it was convenient to use the carabiner like Colligan instead of putting the CX back in our pocket or setting it down. The carabiner clip does double duty as a bottle opener that works better than the openers you find on most multi-tools.
The Skeletool has an odd asymmetrical design, but it works well ergonomically. Opened up as a set of pliers, the handles look uneven, but their unusual curves fit our palms perfectly. Using the tool as a knife, we found the slight curves and swoops of the body shape to be easy and comfortable to grasp. This asymmetry also makes it easy to locate and deploy without even looking at the tool.
The Skeletool CX is extremely light, weighing only 5. Discounting the keychain models, only the Gerber Crucial was lighter at 5. Aesthetically, we find the design of the Skeletool CX a bit mesmerizing. Not only is it asymmetrical along the centerline of the pliers, but from front to back as well.
To reduce weight, the metal body has holes in it called skeletonizing, thus the name of the tool , giving it a unique, very interesting look. There were times during testing when we found ourselves just staring at how it all fits together, like trying to figure out a puzzle.
The Leatherman CX is an investment. We see the purchase of the CX as a long-term one. These are nice tools to have, but adding them would lose the sleek, lightweight form that makes the Skeletool so successful.
The scissors are probably the biggest loss, but in most cases like snipping a shirt thread , we got by with a knife. Both Sculimbrene in his review and Grayson Parker at BladeReviews note that the plier tips are very blunt. This tool is identical to the CX in most ways—same tool selection, same lightweight, streamlined body—and this alone makes it better than most tools we tested.
Nonetheless, the CX has some slight advantages that are worth the premium. We also found that the CX has a better blade deployment and better opening and closing mechanisms on the pliers. A final difference is that there is some carbon fiber used in the body of the CX, but the two tools weigh the same.
Colligan compared these two steels side by side and found that the CM had two to three times the edge retention of the HC. A good multi-tool is a companion for decades, and over time, the better steel, nicer edge, and smoother mechanics offset the price difference. For a full-featured multi-tool that is extremely easy to use and has a wider selection than the Skeletool—including scissors, a clamshell opener, a saw, and a serrated knife—we recommend the Leatherman Free P2.
To access the tools, you press a small tab just beyond the pivot point to pop a tool out of the handle. The knife and scissors flip out like the blade of a pocket knife. You can open even the pliers one-handed. In the closed position, the handles stay held together with magnets, but once you break that connection—by slipping a thumb or a fingertip between the handles and separating them—the handles are loose, as on a balisong knife.
With a quick turn of the wrist, they flip fully open into the pliers mode, where a quick gripping of the handles locks them into place. Another flip, and they close once more. You might find yourself playing with it nonstop like we did. The Free P2 has a very nice tool selection. Although we prefer the stripped-down nature of the Skeletool, the Free P2 does add scissors and a package opener, which we found routinely useful day to day. It also includes a can opener, an awl, a file, a little scraper, and a couple of smaller flathead screwdrivers—we needed these much less often, but from time to time, such as on a camping trip, some of them did come in handy.
Those extra tools add weight, but during our testing, the Free P2 never felt unwieldy or overly bulky. It weighs 7. It has a nice balance, and the slightly beveled handles add to the overall sleek feel.
You can remove the clip easily enough; the tool also comes with a nylon sheath. The Free P2 has received a lot of positive reviews. As nice as it is, the Free P2 is not perfect. Click for Current Pricing from Amazon. The Leatherman Signal has nearly everything you could wish for in a survival tool. In addition to your usual tools, this innovative multi-tool contains a fire starter and a diamond coated sharpener.
The Skeletool is a light 5 oz multi-tool with only the tools you need most. I tend to carry the skeletool more than others due to its lighter weight. The pricier CX version features carbon fiber and a CM blade. The Leatherman Wave is a renowned multi-tool that holds its own with the latest designs while remaining surprisingly affordable. Combined with the optional bit kit, the Leatherman tool covers an extensive variety of uses. The new Plus version incorporates replaceable wire cutters to the original classic.
The Rev is the best bang for your buck multi-tool available. A superb affordable option with one handed blade access and spring loaded pliers. The main difference between the two is the Sidekick includes a folding saw where the Wingman substitutes for scissors. Sidekick Click for Current Pricing from Amazon. Wingman Click for Current Pricing from Amazon. My search for the best American-made phone cases and screen protectors has ended in success. Here are the results. Here they are!
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You can bookmark the following sites and each time you purchase something it will help American Gear Guide in a small but significant way. Bookmarkable links: Amazon , REI. By Matt Mullins — updated April 6, Share on facebook. Conveniently store Leatherman tool bits in the handle of your multi-tool for easy access in the middle of a job, or for safe keeping when not in use. A knife blade that locks into place when fully deployed.
A user must manually unlock the blade to fold it away, which allows for a much safer user experience. A removable clip which allows the user to wear their multi-tool attached to a pocket or belt loop without the use of a sheath.
By removing the clip, the user is able to easily carry their tool in a sheath if preferred. This multi-tool features tools that are accessible while the tool is in its folded or closed position, mimicking the functionality of a pocket knife.
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