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