That strange looking multitool is the new offer from Leatherman, and it’s rather innovative, at least in the concept : you won’t have every tools for every occasion, but you’ll have the basics in a light and everyday carryable form factor.
I like the facts that multiple specialised screwdrivers are dismissed for switchable hexabit screwdrivers, this is a good move to modularity, which I think is the way to go for future of multitools.
The Skeletool is a bridge between hardcore utilitarian tools (Wave, Charge) and pocket tools, which can’t truely stand real work abuse.
It’s pocketable, light and stylish like a Juice, but with strong pliers and a good one hand opening blade (which is maybe or maybe not lockable).
It got also an integrated carabiner (doubles as a bottle opener), four hexabits (Leatherman proprietary bits, I think, which is not very good) and a pocket clip.
With surprisingly affordable prices and featherlight (5 ounces, about 140 grams), this new Leatherman seems to be a very refreshing add to a bit classical line of tools.
This new multitool will come in two flavors : the entry level (420 HC stainless steel, plain blade, satin finished stainless steel body) and the Skeletool CX (154 CM stainless steel, half serrated, black tungsten coated blade, carbon fiber handles).
Leatherman Skeletool : $ 72.
Leatherman Skeletool CX : $ 96.
Available in November 2007.
Via Popular Mechanics.
More pictures : Equipped.org (near end of the page)
[tags]leatherman, skeletool, EDC, carbon fiber, multitool[/tags]
