Company History
Tim Leatherman (yes, that’s his real name) started the Leatherman Tool Group twenty-five years ago in Oregon. He put his degree in Mechanical Engineering to good use. A cranky Fiat that refused to be fixed by a pocket knife gave him an idea. After 5 years of trial and error he received his first patent in 1980. In 1993 he shipped over a million tools, thanks in part to Cabela’s giving him the opportunity to list his tool in their catalog. In 1994 the Leatherman even made a movie appearance, disarming a bomb in the movie Speed. They followed this up with a 1999 X-Files appearance, where it was used to “extract alien flesh”. (I would have bet money I would have never used that phrase in a review…)
People continue to find new uses for the tool. So many uses in fact, that the company has dedicated a section of their website to Tool Tales. Last year the company opened its first retail store conveniently collocated with its manufacturing facility in Portland, Oregon.
Leatherman 830850 Skeletool CX Multitool
I bought my first Leatherman in 1997 when I was in the military. I was part of a mobile unit, and one of our radar technicians had one he carried everywhere religiously. I borrowed it a couple of times (they’re great for stuck pins- heck I even used it to pull apart a stuck M-16) and I was hooked. I bought my own, and I’ve had one in the toolbox ever since. The Cybertool is fine for delicate operations- its pliers have the dexterity to pull out a screw or a splinter, but if you need to crank on something hard- like a radiator clip, you can’t get the purchase you need. My Leatherman has always been up to the task. As part of the ritual I follow when I get a new gadget, I like to make sure I understand all its functions. The Skeletool is composed of the following tools:
- Needlenose Pliers
- Regular Pliers
- Drop Point Knife
- Wire Cutters
- Hard-wire Cutters
- Bit Driver
- Carabiner/Bottle Opener
- Removable Pocket Clip
- Extra Bit/Bit Holder
I also ordered the bit kit, which extends the functionality with 21 double headed bits:
- Hex 1.5mm and 2mm
- Hex 2.5mm and 3mm
- Hex 4mm and 5mm
- Hex 6mm and 1/4 inch
- Hex 7/32 and 3/16 inch
- Hex 5/32 and 9/64 inch
- Hex 1/8 and 7/64 inch
- Hex 3/32 and 5/64 inch
- Hex 1/16 and .050 inch
- Robertson #3 and #2
- Robertson #1 and Pozi
- Pozi #2 and #1
- Torx #10 and #15
- Torx #20 and #25
- Torx #27 and #30
- Phillips #0 and #3
- Phillips #1 and #2
- Slotted 3/32 and 1/8 inch
- Slotted 5/32 and 3/16 inch
- Slotted 7/32 and 1/4 inch
- Phillips and flat tip eyeglasses screwdriver
Read the rest of the hands on review here: Leatherman Skeletool CX - The Newest Leatherman Multitool
You can check out the user guide here.
Pre-order the Leatherman 830850 Skeletool CX Multitool and don’t forget the Bit Kit
Snatch one up for a great price at auction!
Sources:
Leatherman
Wikipedia
Tags: Leatherman, Skeletool
The Skeletool CX – The Newest Leatherman Multitool –Continued | Quality Lasts wrote,
[...] specifications in the first part of my review- you can read the first part of the review here: Leatherman Skeletool CX.) So I finally received my Skeletool CX in the mail. I could have had the regular Skeletool a bit [...]
Link | March 22nd, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Jay wrote,
I intend to get the skeletool cx as well. How many spare bits does the holder in the tool carry?
Link | May 18th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Arthur wrote,
Hi Jay-
You get one double headed bit in the holder, and one at the end of handle in the bit driver, so it carries two double headed bits. The bit kit gives you more choice, but it’s another pouch to carry, I usually take whatever two bits I’m most likely to need and leave it at home.
Link | May 18th, 2008 at 1:10 pm