Leatherman Skeletool Vs. Skeletool CX: An Owner’s Brutally Honest Review

As an avid multi-tool user, I’ve spent years with a Leatherman clipped to my pocket or backpack. The minimalist Skeletool platform immediately caught my eye, but I quickly found myself at a crossroads: the standard Skeletool or the premium Skeletool CX?

I’ve carried and used both extensively, from job sites to backcountry trails. My goal here is not just to list specifications, but to give you a genuine, hands-on perspective on how these two tools perform, feel, and hold up in the real world.

I want to cut through the marketing and help you decide which of these skeletal powerhouses truly deserves a place in your everyday carry.

The Quick Breakdown

The Standard Skeletool: My Trusty Companion

When I first picked up the standard Leatherman Skeletool, its design struck me as pure genius. It shed all the unnecessary weight and bulk that plagued many older multi-tools. It wasn’t trying to be a mobile toolbox; it was trying to be the exact set of tools I needed 90% of the time, and nothing more.

This philosophy of “less is more” is the heart and soul of the Skeletool.

The 420HC Combo Blade

Let’s start with the most-used tool on any multi-tool: the knife. The standard Skeletool features a 420HC stainless steel blade with a combo edge. What does that actually mean in practice?

420HC is Leatherman’s go-to steel for a reason. It’s a fantastic all-arounder. It’s tough, meaning it resists chipping and breaking if you have to do some light prying (which you shouldn’t, but we all do).

It’s also incredibly easy to sharpen. I’ve brought the edge back to life on everything from a high-end sharpening system to the bottom of a ceramic coffee mug in a pinch. This ease of maintenance is a huge plus for someone who actually uses their tools hard and doesn’t want to spend hours babying a blade.

The combo edge is a point of contention for some, but I’ve found it incredibly useful. The plain edge section near the tip is perfect for clean slices, like opening packages or cutting food.

The serrated section closer to the handle is an absolute beast for fibrous materials. I’ve used it to chew through thick rope, stubborn zip ties, and even heavy-duty nylon webbing. For a general-purpose tool that might face any number of tasks, the versatility of a combo edge is hard to beat.

The downside? Sharpening those serrations can be a bit tricky if you don’t have a specific sharpening rod.

The Tool Set: All You Need, Nothing You Don’t

Beyond the blade, the Skeletool’s genius continues. The pliers are the star. They are a combination of needlenose for precision work and regular pliers for grabbing and turning. I’ve used them to hold nuts while tightening bolts, pull out stubborn nails, and even bend metal wire for a quick fix.

They feel surprisingly strong for their size, though you won’t be torquing on seized, rusty bolts with them. The integrated regular and hard-wire cutters are sharp and effective for their intended purpose, like snipping copper wire or trimming down a zip tie.

Then there’s the bit driver. This feature elevates the Skeletool from a simple plier-and-knife combo to a truly versatile multi-tool. It comes with a double-sided bit stored in the handle (usually a Phillips #1 and #2) and a flathead bit in the driver itself.

The ability to swap bits means you can customize your carry. Leatherman sells a separate Bit Kit with dozens of options, and I’ve used it to tackle everything from assembling flat-pack furniture to tightening the tiny screws on my sunglasses. The driver locks securely in place, giving you confidence when applying torque.

Finally, the carabiner clip and bottle opener. I can’t overstate how much I love this feature. It’s not a climbing-rated carabiner, of course, but for clipping the tool to a belt loop or a backpack strap, it’s perfect. It keeps the tool accessible without taking up pocket space.

And let’s be honest, a built-in bottle opener is always a welcome addition at the end of a long day.

In the Hand: Form and Function

The ergonomics of the standard Skeletool are excellent. The stainless steel frame is strong, and the cutouts keep the weight down to a mere 5 ounces. It feels balanced and comfortable in my hand, both when using the pliers and when using the one-hand-operable blade.

The aluminum scale insert doesn’t add much in terms of grip, but it breaks up the look of the plain steel. After years of use, my standard Skeletool has its fair share of scratches and dings, but I see them as marks of character on a tool that’s never let me down.

The Skeletool CX: The Refined Upgrade

After a few years of happily using my standard Skeletool, my gear-loving brain started to wonder: what about the CX? It looked cooler, and the specs on paper were a clear upgrade. I finally took the plunge, and I can tell you that while the core functionality is identical, the user experience is noticeably different.

The CX is the Skeletool in a tailored suit.

The 154CM Plain Edge Blade: The Star of the Show

The single biggest reason to upgrade to the Skeletool CX is the blade steel.

It uses 154CM stainless steel, and the difference is not subtle.

154CM is a premium American-made steel that offers significantly better edge retention than 420HC.

What does this mean for you? It means the blade stays razor-sharp for much, much longer.

I found myself having to touch up the edge on my 420HC Skeletool every couple of weeks with regular use.

With the 154CM blade on the CX, I can go for months. This is a massive advantage if you use your knife frequently or for demanding tasks like breaking down cardboard boxes, which are notorious for dulling blades.

When it does come time to sharpen, it takes a bit more effort than 420HC, but it also takes and holds a much finer, more aggressive edge.

The CX also features a plain edge exclusively. For me, this is an upgrade. While the combo edge is versatile, a full plain edge offers more control and precision for clean push cuts. It’s better for tasks like woodworking, food prep, or carefully opening sealed electronics packaging.

It’s also vastly easier to sharpen and maintain than a serrated edge. If your primary cutting tasks involve slicing rather than sawing, the plain edge is superior.

The Premium Touches: Carbon Fiber and DLC

The upgrades don’t stop at the steel. The Skeletool CX replaces the standard aluminum handle insert with a genuine carbon fiber insert. Does this make a huge functional difference?

Honestly, no. The weight savings are negligible, as both tools are listed at the same 5 oz weight. However, it feels incredible. It adds a touch of warmth and texture that the cold steel and aluminum lack. Aesthetically, it looks fantastic and gives the tool a high-tech, premium feel.

The entire tool is also coated in a matte black DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating. This isn’t just paint. DLC is an advanced coating that dramatically increases the surface hardness, making the tool much more resistant to scratches and corrosion.

My standard Skeletool is covered in snail trails and scratches from pocket carry. My CX, after similar use, looks much cleaner. The black coating is stealthy and tactical, which is a look many people, myself included, really appreciate. It’s a durable finish that elevates the tool from a simple workhorse to a piece of high-performance gear.

Head-to-Head Comparison of Leatherman Skeletool And Skeletool CX

While both tools share the same frame and basic toolset, the experience of carrying and using them highlights their distinct identities.

• Blade Steel Philosophy

This is the core of the choice.

The standard Skeletool with its 420HC blade is built for convenience and toughness.

It’s for the user who wants a reliable edge they can easily fix on the go.

You don’t have to worry about chipping it on a staple or struggling to sharpen it. It’s forgiving.

The Skeletool CX with its 154CM blade is built for performance.

It’s for the user who values cutting efficiency and hates stopping to sharpen their blade. It prioritizes long-lasting sharpness over ease of field maintenance.

If you’re the kind of person who notices when a blade starts to drag instead of glide through material, the 154CM steel will make you smile every time you use it.

• The Serration Situation

Your choice here depends entirely on your expected use. If you’re a hiker, boater, or anyone who frequently cuts rope, straps, or thick vegetation, the combo edge on the standard Skeletool is a clear advantage. Those serrations act like tiny saws and make quick work of tough, fibrous materials.

However, if 99% of your cutting tasks are opening mail, breaking down boxes, or other general slicing jobs, the clean, uninterrupted cutting power of the CX’s plain edge will serve you better. It’s more precise and far easier to maintain.

• Aesthetics and Feel

You can’t deny that the Skeletool CX just looks and feels more premium. The matte black DLC finish combined with the patterned weave of the carbon fiber is striking. It’s the difference between a standard pickup truck and a high-end sport model.

Both get the job done, but one does it with a lot more style and refinement. If you are an enthusiast who appreciates the finer details, the materials, and the finish of your gear, the CX will appeal to you on a level beyond pure utility.

• The Price-to-Performance Ratio

Here’s the reality check. The Skeletool CX commands a significantly higher price than the standard model. You have to ask yourself: am I paying for performance I will actually use? If you use your multi-tool knife occasionally for light tasks, you will likely not notice the benefits of 154CM steel enough to justify the cost. The 420HC will serve you perfectly well.

However, if your multi-tool is a primary part of your daily workflow or hobby, and a sharp, reliable knife is critical, then the price of the CX starts to look more like an investment.

The time you save not having to sharpen your blade, the cleaner cuts, and the enhanced durability of the coating all add up to a real value proposition for the heavy user.

Pros and Cons  of Leatherman Skeletool And Skeletool CX

Let’s break it down into a simple, direct comparison of the good and the bad I’ve experienced with each.

Leatherman Skeletool

Pros

• Affordability: It offers a massive amount of functionality and Leatherman’s legendary quality for a much more accessible price point.
• Easy Blade Maintenance: The 420HC steel is a breeze to sharpen. You don’t need fancy equipment to get a workable edge back on it quickly.
• Combo-Edge Versatility: The serrated portion is a lifesaver for cutting rope, webbing, and other tough materials that can challenge a plain edge.
• Proven Durability: The simple stainless steel construction is tough and has proven its reliability over many years of use in the market. It’s a tool you can trust without reservation.

Cons

• Lower Edge Retention: The biggest drawback is that the 420HC blade needs to be sharpened much more frequently than the 154CM on the CX, especially with heavy use.
• Plain Aesthetics: Compared to the CX, the standard silver finish is very basic. It looks like a tool, and nothing more.
• Shows Wear Easily: The uncoated stainless steel will quickly accumulate scratches and scuffs from keys and other items in your pocket.

Leatherman Skeletool CX

Pros

• Superior Blade Steel: The 154CM steel is the headline feature. Its ability to hold a razor edge for extended periods is a significant performance upgrade.
• Clean-Cutting Plain Edge: Ideal for precise, clean slicing tasks. It offers more control and is simpler to sharpen than a combo edge.
• Premium Materials: The carbon fiber insert and DLC coating give the tool a high-end look and feel that goes beyond pure utility.
• Enhanced Durability and Stealth: The DLC coating provides excellent scratch and corrosion resistance, and the matte black finish is discreet and professional.

Cons

• Significant Price Increase: You pay a substantial premium for the upgraded materials. The cost can be a major barrier for many users.
• Less Versatility for Fibrous Materials: The lack of serrations means it can struggle more with tasks like cutting thick rope compared to the standard model.
• Blade Requires More Skill to Sharpen: While it needs sharpening far less often, 154CM steel is harder and can take more time and effort to bring back to a fine edge.

Also Read: Are Hyper Tough Tools Worth It?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion: Which Skeletool Should You Buy?

After carrying and using both the standard Skeletool and the Skeletool CX for years, my final recommendation comes down to a simple evaluation of your needs and budget. I can’t give you one definitive answer, but I can guide you to yours.

If you are looking for the absolute best value in a minimalist multi-tool, get the standard Skeletool. It provides 100% of the core functionality of the CX for a fraction of the price. Its blade is easy to maintain, its toolset is incredibly practical, and it is a reliable workhorse that will serve you well for years.

For the vast majority of users, this is the smart choice.

However, if you are a gear enthusiast, a knife aficionado, or a professional who relies on a sharp blade daily, the Skeletool CX is a worthy and noticeable upgrade. The superior edge retention of the 154CM steel is a tangible benefit that saves you time and frustration.

The enhanced durability of the DLC coating and the premium feel of the carbon fiber make it a joy to carry and use. If you appreciate high-performance materials and are willing to invest in them, you will not be disappointed with the CX. For you, the extra cost translates directly into a better user experience.