Leatherman Skeletool CX $195 + $11.95 Shipping @ NSW Rural Fire Service

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Leatherman Skeletool CX $195 + $11.95 Shipping @ NSW Rural Fire Service
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Pdts2956m on 14/12/2024 - 19:06 rfsa.org.au (7440 clicks)

Having my Leatherman just stolen from my car forced me to look for a replacement multi-tool. I had not realised just how expensive these things had got, as my Leatherman Charge+ replacement was going to cost me $400+ from Leatherman Australia with the extras.

Following advice from a fellow OzB member, I am downgrading to the Skeletool CX. I feel that I would get more value than the Charge+.
Retail price from Leatherman Australia is $240.

Anyway here is the blurb….

Every tool, every part, every component on the Skeletool has been analyzed and designed to actually make your day to day life easier. Double-purposes tools that actually work, intelligent weight reduction, multiple carry options, a real knife, high end materials. The Skeletool makes a solid case for a single-tool solution to everyday carry.
This multi tool has almost everything you’ll ever need in a light-weight (93 grams lighter than the Charge) compact multi tool. Comes with a nylon sheath.
Plus being a Leatherman you’ll have a 25 year warranty.
Regular pliers
Wire cutters
Knife in 154CM steel
Karabiner belt clip
Bottle opener
Screwdriver tool bits
Locking knife Blade
Pocket Clip

review here: https://knifeinformer.com/leatherman-skeletool-cx-review/

Home & Garden Hand Tool Leatherman Multi-Tool Tool

Related Stores

rfsa.org.au
rfsa.org.au

Comments

  • dts2956m on 14/12/2024 - 19:14
    +23

    Just had to share this review from Knife Informer..

    "If Multitools are trucks, and a Leatherman Surge is an F-250 Super Duty FX4 6.7 PowerStroke Diesel, then the Skeletool CX is a Toyota Tacoma SR5 4 cylinder with a 5-speed. Everyone wants a diesel ¾ ton truck for the two days a year they tow a boat, even though that’s about ¼ of the truck’s towing capacity. What everyone actually needs based on their usage is a four-cylinder Tacoma. But I don’t hear a lot of country songs about midsize pickup trucks (Russell Dickerson excluded). Still, if people are honest about what they actually do with their tools, a Skeletool CX will fulfill 99% of their needs 99% of the time. It’s a fantastic product, and I find myself recommending it to a lot of people all the time."

    • Corgsta on 14/12/2024 - 19:57
      +8

      100% agree. Love the analogy.

      I’ve got a Skeletool and use it a lot. I pretty much never feel like it’s missing something. It’s light as well but still very solid and strong. Doesn’t give an impression it’s flimsy. I reckon it’s kind of ideal. You can open and retract the knife one handed.

      I used to own the Wave but lost it at some stage. It was heavy. Looking back, I’d easily choose the Skeletool over it. The Wave has a scissors, a file, the cerrated fish knife, some other bits like toothpicks etc. These things I don’t miss because I either didn’t use them or I make do without.

      That’s why that analogy is so true. You might want to use scissors one day in a blue moon but if you don’t have it, in a pinch you can get by with the knife to achieve the same thing.

      Edit: I have this a +1 because it was RFS, and supporting them is good. But Bogong have this for $179:
      https://www.bogong.com.au/leatherman-skeletool.html

      Is it just CX vs non CX?

      • Mostly Fanless on 14/12/2024 - 20:34
        +2

        That's the regular one, apart from the label you can tell by the half serrated blade, CX has a straight blade.

      • OZKap on 14/12/2024 - 20:53
        +3

        Cx has the non-serrated blade and uses a better steel for the blade, 154CM vs 420HC.

        In my opinion, having used both, the blade on the skeletool is too short to have the half-serrated blade of the regular skeletool be useful. Either go for the CX plain blade, or RX for fully serrated with a glass breaker bit.

        • Corgsta on 14/12/2024 - 22:15

          Ah right, thanks for that. I have to agree, thinking about it, I would prefer a full straight blade. I have a Opinel knife which I take camping, that gets a lot of use, again - great products those. But I use the Skeletool pliers a lot, the knife a lot, the screwdriver a fair bit and it still feels like solid quality and nothing on it is wearing. I'd buy again, even at this price (ack the inflation on these is a bit crazy) just for the quality and longevity (and trustworthiness). I bought mine on a sale from Element 14 of all places….

      • Spending2Much on 14/12/2024 - 22:31

        $53.46 freight to WA on your link..m

        • Corgsta on 15/12/2024 - 09:35

          😬 That’s a bit crazy. Shouldn’t be that much. Bogong are a great shop though, been in their Melbourne store a few times. Proper old school hiking shop with good quality brands.

      • Lecta on 15/12/2024 - 00:33

        I use my skeletool at least 3 times a day. It's perfect for it's size and weight.

      • Ademos on 15/12/2024 - 21:34

        Anyone that doesn't utilise the features on a wave, won't utilise the features on this, and are larping a bit.

        The wave / plus can be had cheaper, on special, and is a far superior "tool".

  • psyphon11 on 14/12/2024 - 19:24
    +3

    Dont know if its made the same way, but mine has been going strong a decade. Good quality tool, and lightweight for the materials.

  • OZKap on 14/12/2024 - 19:25
    +8

    Leatherman really has gotten extremely expensive. I bought this for au$125 off Amazon US at the end of 2020.

    Great little tool, if I'm not carrying my OHT for work I'll often slip the skeletool in my pocket. It's small enough that it will clip in to the change pocket of jeans.

    The OHT is bulky and needs a belt pouch but I find the one-handed access to all the tools (including the plier) invaluable at work. The skeletool has the better screwdriver, and while the bits are proprietary you can buy bit sets from Leatherman

    • OZKap on 14/12/2024 - 19:38
      +4

      This is not legal advice.

      Last I checked Qld is the only state where you're allowed to carry a pen knife or multitool for general "utility purposes", the other states you need an exact reason for carrying a knife.

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 14/12/2024 - 19:46
        +1

        Can confirm 2 qps officers pulled me over and asked for pockets to be emptied and found my leatherman wave and did not even bat an eye.

        • Switchblade88 on 14/12/2024 - 20:09
          +1

          Wait, why would the QPS be executing a roadside search without a warrant?

          Surely you weren't acting shifty to give them reasonable suspicion??

          • besttechadvisor on 14/12/2024 - 20:12
            +2

            @Switchblade88: They don't need a warrant to ask.

            Any looney on the street can ask you to empty your pockets.

            • Switchblade88 on 14/12/2024 - 20:27

              @besttechadvisor:

              Any looney on the street can ask you to empty your pockets

              Yeah, but that's not what I queried

              Most bogans don't coerce you into emptying your pockets under unspoken threat of arrest for not complying with police instructions…

              • besttechadvisor on 14/12/2024 - 20:33
                +1

                @Switchblade88: Cops will just ask if they don't like the look of you or if they're having a bad day. They're human, after all (I'm not having a go at cops).

                Once I was RBT'd, nothing wrong. They asked to take a look in my car, I said no. So they RDT'd me, nothing wrong. Let me go, no threat of arrest.

      • HarleyQuinn888 on 14/12/2024 - 22:18
        +1

        can the reason be… because you will be passing the Druitt, you need protection?

      • Lecta on 15/12/2024 - 00:36

        Why would you carry it unless you needed it?

        • OZKap on 15/12/2024 - 02:30
          +2

          Because it's handy having a knife, pair of pliers and a screwdriver on me.

          • beltdrive on 15/12/2024 - 06:51

            @OZKap: When? I keep a Wave+ on me for work but it stays in my bag when I’m not at work

            • OZKap on 15/12/2024 - 09:24
              +3

              @beltdrive: When I feel like it.

              When you mind your own business.

              Trimming torn nails before they get worse, opening bottle caps, trimming frayed stitching, tightening screws, holding things securely.

      • prodrome on 15/12/2024 - 11:07

        Most Queenslanders have started carrying tomahawks to get around the law.

    • Bread Pitt on 14/12/2024 - 21:36

      If you use it for work then it's fine but I think technically you have to be travelling to or from work if you get caught with it outside of your workplace and they'll likely judge you based on if you're wearing work clothes or not because otherwise everyone would just say they're coming from work. Fishing as well but it'd have to be with other fishing gear.

  • besttechadvisor on 14/12/2024 - 19:29
    +1
    • profits obviously go to the RFSA's initiatives
    • Quarter Pounder on 14/12/2024 - 20:25

      read this as rfnsa 😞

      • Butterfly Gocha on 14/12/2024 - 22:31

        Big Telco hate this one trick

        • Quarter Pounder on 14/12/2024 - 22:37

          they're not forced to be apart of it lol - they all jointly operate it

  • Broden on 14/12/2024 - 19:34
    +4

    Bought this for $75 in 2014

    • OZKap on 14/12/2024 - 19:35
      +11

      Should have bought 10.

      • eug on 14/12/2024 - 20:01
        +11

        He was too busy buying PS3s.

        • Agret on 14/12/2024 - 21:51
          +1

          Weber BBQs were the real bubble for us professionals.

    • besttechadvisor on 14/12/2024 - 20:21
      +3

      Who knew Bitcoin and Leatherman would be the best investments of 2014.

    • dts2956m on 14/12/2024 - 20:44
      +2

      The closing price for Bitcoin (BTC) in December 2014 was US$320.19

      • besttechadvisor on 14/12/2024 - 21:24
        +1

        I almost bought one in 2012. Now it's $100,000. Kicking myself.

        • Bread Pitt on 14/12/2024 - 21:39
          +8

          You likely wouldn't have held onto it for long though and probably would have sold when it was at like USD$3000 or something.

          • besttechadvisor on 14/12/2024 - 21:59
            +2

            @Bread Pitt: I'd definitely still have it… I just wouldn't know where 😅

            • Bread Pitt on 15/12/2024 - 11:38
              +1

              @besttechadvisor: @besttechadvisor Yea I've done that with 0.1 Bitcoin it was worth like $30 at the time and now it's lost forever.

          • FredAstair on 15/12/2024 - 11:31

            @Bread Pitt: Yeah nah…

            People who don't know how to trade maybe…

        • stickyfingers on 15/12/2024 - 06:22
          +4

          I got this deal back in the day and eventually just blew it on some some random website subscription because I was too lazy to get my credit card out and remembered I had the BTC.

          It would be worth $2142.13 USD today if I’d kept it…

  • ruddj on 14/12/2024 - 20:14
    +7

    If the blade is 154cm long (1.5m) as described I’d more classify this as a two handed sword or one of those massive swords from final fantasy.

    • dts2956m on 14/12/2024 - 20:46
      +6

      154CM is a grade of knife steel (apparently)
      not the length of the blade

      • ruddj on 14/12/2024 - 21:15
        +1

        Thanks. Even 15.4cm seemed very long for a pocket knife.

  • djsweet on 14/12/2024 - 20:18
    +4

    RX available on Amazon for $164 if you are happy with a serrated blade. https://amzn.asia/d/8KCdiH7

  • dangerdanger on 14/12/2024 - 20:18
    +4

    $99.95 in 2017 from Aussie Disposals. Inflation is crazy

    • dts2956m on 14/12/2024 - 20:48
      -5

      Bitcoins started 2017 at US$998 and grew 14x to finish the year at US$14,156.
      Inflation IS crazy!

      • D3m3nti4 on 14/12/2024 - 23:48
        +7

        Oh right, I forgot that crypto was one of the consumer items the reserve factors into their weighted basket when calculating inflation….

        • prodrome on 15/12/2024 - 11:09
          +1

          Crytpo was a scam in 2017 and still is.

      • charlierg on 15/12/2024 - 03:25
        +1

        Irrelevant

    • SJDR on 15/12/2024 - 08:40
      -1

      You spelt greed wrong

  • Ocepina on 14/12/2024 - 21:18

    I had this since 2016 and have loved how versatile this thing is. But if you try building IKEA furniture with this, your hand may be sore. Good product!

    • Butterfly Gocha on 14/12/2024 - 22:32
      +2

      My wrist is sore without building IKEA furniture

      • dtc on 15/12/2024 - 08:14
        +1

        Your private life is your private life

  • stenchlord on 14/12/2024 - 21:30
    +7

    I love my leatherman tools but they're so overpriced nowadays that I find it super hard to recommend them specially when 90% of people don't need 90% of the tools on a multitool.

    I personally keep a Victorinox Classic SD (scissors, file/flathead screwdriver, toothpick, tweezers and 1.5" blade) on my keyring that I mostly use for keeping my fingernails in check.

    If people want a decent multitool, I'd recommend checking out the Roxon line of tools on Amazon. I own the Roxon M3 ( $30 https://www.amazon.com.au/M3-Scissors-Toothpick-Practical-Ex… ) which I keep at my desk for basic uses. If you want something more robust or require something with pliers the Roxon S803E is a solid choice for $50-$60 you'd spend on it ( I keep one at work for general tasks and maintenance ) and then I'd recommending picking up a knife sharpener to go with it.

    • dangerdanger on 15/12/2024 - 00:58
      +1

      Thanks, will look into them

    • dangerdanger on 15/12/2024 - 15:55

      Have bought the Roxon M2 to see how it is

      • stenchlord on 15/12/2024 - 18:28
        +1

        Let me know what you think of it when you get it, I've not used the M2 before.

        If you've used something like a Leatherman, don't expect the same kind of quality but it should be plenty good enough to be functional and as long as you look after it and maintain it properly, it should last you a long time.

        If it's anything like the M3 which I own, the blade will likely be made of 3CR13 Stainless Steel which is nothing special so you will likely want to sharpen the blade and scissor edges regularly depending on usage.

    • SydChamp on 16/12/2024 - 01:04

      This black Roxon looks good for $40

      https://www.amazon.com.au/CM1349-Multitool-Multitools-Multip…

  • DMFD on 14/12/2024 - 21:38
    +1

    That price and no toothpick. Pass.

    • OZKap on 14/12/2024 - 22:36
      +8

      be brave, use the blade

  • Hornpub on 14/12/2024 - 21:40

    got the topo version basically a combo blade and i replaced the bit with a glass breaker perfect for cutting seatbelt and break window.
    after using TTi and spiritX, i still keep the skeletool as my main EDC tool just due to its weight. and blade+pliers are just mainly what i need anyway.

  • slimpickings on 14/12/2024 - 21:46
    +3

    If somebody in perth wants a lower price per unit and can figure out what to do with 10 of the things, there's some skeletools in the airport surrendered items auction: https://auctions.com.au/auctions/2024/12/11/perth-airport-su…

    • OZKap on 14/12/2024 - 22:44

      There's some neat stuff in those auctions, shame about the pick up only

      PICK UP: Goods to be collected STRICTLY from Monday the 16th to Tuesday the 17th of December, from 8:30am to 4:00pm from Ross's Auctioneers & Valuers, 453 Orrong Rd, Welshpool, WA. (All goods must be removed by 4:00pm on Tuesday the 17th of December).

    • RADICALIST on 14/12/2024 - 23:31

      Awww man, that's where my pocket victorinox went when I forgot to remove from my keys

      • eug on 15/12/2024 - 10:04

        I got lucky; I left a Leatherman OHT and Skeletool or Crunch in my bag side pocket when I flew overseas from Brisbane. I only found out about it at Changi Airport when I entered the boarding gate during transit. The airline crew held it for me and I picked it up at the destination airport. Brisbane Airport totally missed both knives which is both a good and bad thing I guess.

  • mskeggs on 14/12/2024 - 22:41
    +1

    Bought this years ago under $100, but for me it is the ideal tool, and I would buy again if I lost it.
    Everything you need, and nothing you don’t.
    I have the half serrated blade version, which is my strong preference.
    One hand opening that works, Phillips head always on call, and pliers is a fantastic combo.
    A kid snapped the point off the knife, but I haven’t been bothered enough to get it fixed cause it is just fine for everyday use.
    I particularly like the way the handles are rounded so when using the pliers they aren’t digging edges into your hand if you need to apply a lot of force.
    Can’t list the number of times it has been adequate for tightening a bolt, or some other task when it was not the perfect tool for the job but got it done without fuss.
    Great tool, and I have had maybe a dozen competitors over the years including other less useful leathermans.

  • Kiro on 14/12/2024 - 23:30
    +1

    purchased my $27 multi tool at bunnings, SWISS+TECH and cant complain, use it a few times a week and is solid as a rock.

  • Reticent on 15/12/2024 - 00:02
    +1

    I got mine a few years ago and reach for it several times a week. Really great quality and nicely designed.. but the price in Australia is a piss take now.

  • jbird84 on 15/12/2024 - 00:03

    Still have my dad's old all-steel leatherman "super tool" kicking around the house that's been a mainstay for little jobs the last 20+ years. Kind of annoying how solid its been given these newer models are pretty nice looking but I can't justify at all.

  • Budju on 15/12/2024 - 09:10
    -6

    Should be Leatherthem for inclusion

  • Dsiee on 15/12/2024 - 10:20

    While these are expensive, I've carried one (well one at a time, lost one and got a replacement) almost everyday for years and never wanted for more. I highly recommend it and will get the same again. Expensive but quality material and design.

  • mokgum on 15/12/2024 - 10:33

    If you still want the Leatherman Charge + multitool, then you can get it from Finland for $240.
    Normally takes about 10 days

    You need to spend $250 to get free shipping.

    Leatherman products - https://www.lamnia.com/en/br/45/leatherman-multi-tools

    A great company. The products are usually cheaper than Australia, but not always so check against the local price.
    Generally anything shipped from Finland gets to me faster then from QLD or WA.

    I purchased a Leatherman Free T4 BLUE multitool for $104

    https://www.lamnia.com/en/p/2530/tools/leatherman-skeletool-…. -$183, but out of stock

    Finnish Shopping

    Estonian Shopping
    - https://www.outdoors.ee/en/

  • GoldenDragon888 on 15/12/2024 - 13:31

    I saw they are also selling the newish Leatherman ARC for $425+postage. I decided to buy that one.

  • danwylie on 15/12/2024 - 13:52

    I have one of these and I like it but I would not have paid $200 for it, and there's no way it's worth that much. I just looked it up and I got it in 2010 for USD70 shipped. Inflation calculator suggests it'd be $100 now. But that was the glorious time when the Australian dollar was worth more than the US one. Pretty brutal price increase. If it died I suspect I'd replace it with something from aliexpress

    • danwylie on 15/12/2024 - 13:53
      +1

      If you used it daily for a job or farm work it's a different calculation. Mine is only used occasionally

    • ripprind on 15/12/2024 - 15:23
      +1

      I got a Gerber from a deal at OB some time ago and then saw an unbranded version at Ali and ordered it for comparison. Ali version was half the price , came with a pouch, pliers had insert hardened cutters and some unnecessary extra trim for looks that I'm planning to remove.
      Otherwise identical and same build quality. would recommend.

      • kippei on 15/12/2024 - 22:50
        +1

        Would you happen to have link to the aliexpress one?

        • ripprind on 17/12/2024 - 20:41

          OB doesn't let me post a link, but search for WISS TECH-16 in 1 Camping Multitool, Multi Folding Plier

  • NatoTomato on 16/12/2024 - 09:04

    Got my Leatherman Wave+ off an ozbargain deal, had no idea why I needed it.

    Turns out it's one of my most useful ozb purchases in history, and maybe one of my most useful purchases as an adult. Just having a knife to open boxes, or as simple as the philips and flat heads it has on it. I even found a use for the micro screwdriver when I needed to replace the batteries in my garage door remote.

    The files have gone unused, but most of the other stuff has been used.

  • NatoTomato on 16/12/2024 - 09:06

    Seems like other variants are quite cheap as well. Wave+ only $200, while $260 on the leatherman site.

    • Broden on 16/12/2024 - 11:44

      How is that cheap? Is that relative to Leatherman prices or all pocket knife brands?

      • NatoTomato on 16/12/2024 - 14:58

        Relative between the NSW Rural Fire Service and the Leatherman website :)

  • Atomik17 on 16/12/2024 - 15:07

    Where are all my OZB edc carriers.

  • benhersey on 16/12/2024 - 15:08

    $180 on amazon and BCF.

    • dts2956m on 17/12/2024 - 08:56

      not the CX model

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