Name: Leatherman Skeletool CX Review
Brand: Leatherman

17 Aug 2025 · Leatherman Skeletool CX review: a lightweight, pocketable multitool with the essentials; what it does well and what it doesn’t. · Leatherman

Product	Leatherman Skeletool CX
Best for	Lightweight EDC, simple repairs, opening boxes and carrying only the essential tools
Good bits	Pocketable size, useful pliers, good blade and less bulk than full-size multitools
Annoyances	Limited tool selection compared with larger Leatherman models
Worth it?	Yes, if you want the essentials without carrying a brick.

This is my Leatherman Skeletool CX review, looking at why the lightweight multitool works well for everyday carry and where it compromises compared with larger tools.

I've had a couple of cheapo multitools, they're handy. I got a Gerber Crucial and there's a real jump in quality from a cheapo one to a half decent one. Leatherman is 'the brand' in the multitool space, I treated myself to this Skeletool in summer 2024.

I settled on the Skeletool CX after looking at the tools that were on it and my use cases. The Wave and Signal tools have both got saws, can openers and other tools that I'd never use. As much as I'm a 'be prepared' kinda guy, I don't want to carry a load of stuff I'm not going to use.

The blade is 60mm long and made from 154CM Stainless Steel. It's got a black finish to it and is nice and sharp out of the box. I've not had to sharpen it yet, the blade hasn't had too much stick but it's been used plenty. The grind on the blade is a little rough. When I sharpen it I'll take the roughness out.

I'm based in the UK, so locking blades are a no no. Like all the Leatherman tools the blade locks, so it's not something I keep on my person when I'm about. I only take it to places where I might need a tool, it's handy when out radioing portable, antennas need tweaking, nuts need tightening etc. I stick it in my bag and only get it out when I need it. Naughty, but what else can you do?

The pliers are needle nosed with wire cutters and a wire stripper right next to the pivot. They've got the same black coating as the blade, the coating is still in good shape, its scuffed off where the tool folds up and a bit on the cutting edge of the snips. All to be excpected I guess? The wire cutter is great, snips through antenna wire with ease, the strippers are decent too.

In addition to the pliers & blade, there's a couple of screwdriver bits that slot into a locking holder at the bottom of one of the handles. When you open out one of the handles, the tool turns into a fairly normal feeling driver. When it's folded up the driver bit sits inside the bottle opener. There's two flat heads and two Phillips bits. They're flat profile, but very handy when you need a driver and don't want to carry a toolbox. The bottle opener also doubles as the catch for a carabiner. Obviously, I've made it a lanyard!

Driver Holder — The locking driver holder with the large Phillips bit.

It's the lightest of the 'full size' Leatherman tools, it weighs about 145gr. When it's folded up it's 105x34x20mm

It's a great tool, the blade is sharp, the pliers are good. The drivers are handy and the slight curve of the handle makes it comfortable to use. It fits into the inside pocket of a backpack or cross body bag. I wish they made a UK legal carry non locking version. It's pricey, I think it was £100 when I bought it. Although it's a good tool, I don't think it's 2x the tool that my Gerber Crucial is. It's handy to have 2 decent multi tools though.

Pros
Perfect tools · Handy size · Sharp blade

Cons
Locking blade · Expensive