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 enlarge | Brand: Leatherman
Category: Home Improvement
Buy New: See price in cart
New (34)
Rating:  90 reviews
Sales Rank: 7
Media: Tools & Hardware
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.5
Dimensions (in): 5 x 1 x 1
MPN: 830850
Model: 830850
UPC: 037447362286
EAN: 0037447362286
ASIN: B000XU43IC
Release Date: March 15, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Promotion: Save $10.00 when you spend $50.00 or more on Qualifying Items offered by Amazon.com. Enter code BMLSAVES at checkout. Terms and Conditions
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 Best Leatherman Ever! May 21, 2008
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
I've owned practically every Leatherman and SOG multi-tool produced over the past 15 years; a few Gerbers and Swiss Army brands thrown in there as well. And I've got to just jump in and say, this is arguably the best Leatherman ever. Just a perfect combination of quality tools, lightweight and, as practically every reviewer comments, it's just gorgeous!
Multi-tools have been a real growth area in the knife industry over the past few years and most have followed a 'how-much-more-stuff-can-we throw-in here' model...to a point where the bigger Leathermans and SOGS weigh as much as the toolbox they replace. Not a gripe, I'm sure many use them effectively; I know I do my bigger ones as well. It's just gotten to where the 'convenience' factor seems to have been lost. Witness the amazing array of smaller keychain tools and you can easily see that Leatherman wisely went for the middle ground in this design: just enough tools to get you by and light enough to make certain it's not a burden in your pocket. It's really a home run on being the perfect size.
Out of the deal you get a great set of pliers, interchangeable screw-driver bits (philips and flat-head included) a knife and a bottle opener that doubles as a carbiner.
The bits are interchangeable with other Leatherman tools using the same bits, though Leatherman amped up this design to include a 'locking' feature on the bits; a much needed touch with bits this small. Since I already own a Leatherman Charge Ti, I have a bunch of bits at hand and you can buy bit kits from Leatherman. The bottle opener is just flat-out perfect and in the best place possible; no unfolding the tool and then another unfold to open a bottle opener; just hanging out at the rear where it should be. The knife blade is perhaps the best shaped knife Leatherman has produced; partially serrated and made of 154CM which is an uncharacteristically great steel for a multi-tool blade. And finally, the pliers...this is one area that Leatherman stands completely alone in quality in (sorry SOG and Gerber)...close the pliers and look at them from the end; the jaws mate perfectly. They mate so fine you can use them as tweezers; try it sometime, I have and they work! Other manufacturers pliers work fine as pliers, but none have the alignment that Leathermans do.
The carbon fiber insert is trick for sure but you don't gain anything other than the 'wow' factor.
So, all in all almost perfect; it IS perfect for me, though your mileage may vary. If I had any 'one' thing I'd like to see included it would be scissors but that's just wishful thinking on my part...I honestly don't know how they could pack it in to such a minimalist tool.
One last note: If you pocket carry, as I do, you will need to be aware that the pocket clip is small (it has to be)...and it's also very, very tight. Meaning, you WILL wear an area out on your pockets; just no way around it on this model. Some I've seen have put heat-shrink tubing on their clips to help alleviate this, but I haven't tried it yet.
Great tool, does its intended function. Superb quality. Wow factor off the charts.
 Skeletool, cool but not as expected May 20, 2008
17 out of 22 found this review helpful
I had been longing for the skeletool since I saw the early reviews and I used a recent camping trip as an excuse to get one. Perhaps I should have done more research on the steak before succumbing to the sizzle. It is much heavier than I expected; it is not unobtrusive to carry in a pocket and I would not consider it for a hike where ounces or altitude were a factor. I was not aware of Leatherman's trick of using proprietary style driver bits, thus eliminating the use of all the driver bits and kits I already have, and I like more "needle" from needle nose pliers. Finally, I do not care for their approach to the grind on the knife blade; I think a dual side grind is much more useful, though somewhat harder to manufacture and to maintain. Overall, I rate it higher on coolness than on the net value. It is clearly well made and high quality, is good for around the house and yard and for car camping or hikes where the weight is not a factor, but if that's what you need, why not get either a plain pocket knife or a more fully featured tool? Sorry skeletool, it was lust at first sight, but love didn't make it past the first date.
Nice fit. May 17, 2008
This is my first Leatherman multitool. I am very happy with the craftsmanship and the feel of this tool. It's a nice compact size, and when its clipped into my pocket I hardly notice it is there. The knife is easy to open and close with one hand. To open up the whole tool into the pliers form it is somewhat stiff and does take two hands.
There is only one way to hold it comfortably when using it as a pair of pliers, and that is with the bottle opener handle side down... that curved handle makes for a nice grip for your fingers.
Very nice product, I'll be recommending this Skeletool to co-workers.
 Think about the non graphite version of this great multi-tool. May 15, 2008
22 out of 39 found this review helpful
If you debating between the Skeletool Leatherman 830846 Skeletool Multitool and the Skeletool CX Leatherman 830850 Skeletool CX Multitool, know that the strip of carbon fiber is just that, one a tiny strip that looks to be more of a bit of accenting than something that improves the weight. With the Skeletool CX you are paying a premium for a darker color (but not the blade or core mettle) and a bit of composite material. Also note that the 5oz weight is listed for both knives, so the CX isn't so much lighter to make it a noted feature.
This is a fantastic minimalist multi-tool which is a contradiction in terms, but not for this tool.
Pluses : It feels solid, built in carabiner clip, spare bit holder. Blade can be extracted by one hand. Size. Screw driver is really easy to use, not just an after thought tool. Ease of use !!! It looks different, and that is a good feature.
Detractions: Only a few tools (but for the weight it's good). Interchangeable bits are proprietary, so you have to get them from Leatherman. Cost per feature is high. Carbon fiber bit is really just an accent.
In short, the tool is light enough to carry all day and even clip onto a set of key. If you are Victorinox fan, this plier tool would be a good addition to carry as it's screw driver works better for large screws, the blade is better for tough jobs, and the pliers are larger. But it won't replace the versatility of a good Swiss Army Knife.
Lastly, pick up the extra bits Leatherman 934870 42 Bit Assortment with Nylon Sheath . It's well worth to extend the tools usefulness.
Carbon fiber is a gimmick - still a good tool, though May 10, 2008
1 out of 6 found this review helpful
I've found this leatherman useful and well designed, but would recommend the stainless steel version instead. Only a small sliver of the CX is actually made of carbon fiber - the rest is just anodized steel!
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