The Leatherman Skeletool is one of my favorite multi-tools of all time, and it’s on sale now for $30 at Home Depot and Amazon.
The Skeletool is a minimalist tool, with pliers, a knife, a special slim bit screwdriver, and a carabiner hook that doubles as a bottle opener.
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Its screwdriver comes in handy. It includes 2 double-ended bits, and you can buy more. There’s also a special 1/4″ hex bit adapter that allows you to use regular insert bits, but its price has shot up in recent years.
I mainly carry and use the Skeletool for its combo pliers and the knife blade. These are the 2 tools I use most out of any multi-tool, and I find myself using a Skeletool or Skeletool CX at home even with full sized tools nearby.
This is the lowest I’ve ever seen the Skeletool sell for, matching last year’s holiday price.
Here’s last year’s Amazon deal post, and here’s the Home Depot deal post, for the comment discussions.
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
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This is a great gift item, and a lot better than the $10 no-name garbage that a lot of stores have out on display this time of year. But it’s also a great self-gift idea.
I don’t need any more multi-tools, but am seriously considering getting one for the garage, to take the place of a Wingman that will soon be assigned to basement duty.
If you want a tool with more features, the Leatherman Sidekick is also on sale for $30 at Amazon. The Sidekick has been lower priced in past years, but costs rose and $30 is $10 off its now-regular price of $40. It’s not as polished as the Skeletool, but you get more functionality.
See Also(Sidekick via Amazon)
Benjamen
After buying the Skeletool on one of last years holiday deals, I carried it for a while. It was really handy to have both a belt clip and a carabiner clip — if one pair of pants didn’t have a good pocket to clip into you could always clip it to a belt loop. I liked the knife and screwdriver insterts, but I found the pliers pretty much useless.
I needed to pull some staples out and the jaws of the pliers deformed sideways. It wasn’t permanent, but if I can’t use the pliers for simple tasks, why carry a pliers based multi-tool?
It’s not really evident in the photos, but the jaws and joint are much thinner than a Super tool, which I think is too much of a compromise.
Stuart
It might be that the pliers are defective, or were poorly heat treated. I have yet to deform or damage the pliers on my Skeletool or Skeletool CX. If you contact Leatherman, I’m sure they’ll be willing to repair or replace the tool.
Robert
I think that this tool is nice if you keep it within the context of what it’s designed for. I’ve always considered this to be a light duty tool of convenience. As long as I don’t make it something it’s not, it’s great. I don’t personally consider it however to be a plier based tool. I feel like the knife is more dominant than the pliers. It’s more of a knife to me that just happens to have a small set of convenience pliers.
That said, I wouldn’t pay the usual cost for it. For 30 bucks however, it’s a great deal.
Nathan
maybe yours are defective? I haven’t had trouble out of mine pliers wise but I have only used them a few times. ALso for box staples or to cut some wire. No issues so far.
However I will say it would be nice if someone made a multi-tool that was just a quality knife blade under 3 inches, a proper driver bit out of the handle, and maybe some scissors like the ones that come on the Wave tool. That would be possibly the best combination for my work day environment. But so far I do like having the skeletool for EDC
Jerry
Nathan, have you looked at the Sidekick? I have both it, and the skeletool, and prefer the Sidekick. It is just a little bigger ( mostly thicker) but the pliers seem just a tad stouter. It has a knife blade and scissors that you can use without opening the pliers. There are 2 flat and one Philips screwdriver, can opener, file, and a package opener you access after opening the pliers like on the original PST. The knife is a little under 3 inches long, and locks in place. Scissors also lock and are surprisingly good considering the size of the tool. None of the other tools lock, they are held open by spring g tension. Screwdrivers are not the replaceable bit style but seem of good quality. File is about as small as it can be and still be usable. I really like the package opener, works great for both clamshell packaging and box tape like Amazon uses. Right now they are also on sale for $31 right now. It is the most compact tool I have found that is still substantial enough to not feel wimpy, and featuring the tools I use the most.
Jerry
https://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-Wingman-Multi-Tool-Stainless-Steel/dp/B005DI0XM4/
Stuart
That’s the Wingman.
I mentioned the Sidekick at the end of the post b/c it’s also a good deal – $30 on sale from $40.
The Wingman at $31 isn’t as good a deal, since its regular price is $35 or so.
Stuart
Here’s the difference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVc1irAx4j8
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/leatherman-sidekick-vs-wingman-review/%3C/a%3E (Prices are old)
Jerry
You are right. It is the Wingman. I was actually talking about the Wingman but had a brain spasm or something and called it the Sidekick. I agree the Wingman isn’t discounted as much as the Skeletool but I actually prefer it because of the scissors and package opener.
Thanks again for straightening out my error.
Stuart
I assumed you knew the difference; my response was more for anyone else reading through the comments trying to determine which multi-tool might be best for them.
William
Picked one up this morning. Really like.
Scott K
The Skeletool is currently priced at just under $30 on Amazon
Stuart
Yes, that’s what this entire deal post is about.
It’s on sale for $29.88, but I rounded up to $30.
Scott K
My bad. Must’ve read too quickly; I thought the pricing was exclusive to HD.
Stuart
It might have been at first, but when I checked this morning Amazon had already matched the price.
susano
I’m very disappointed that neither HD or Lowes has the Wingman for under $20 this year. I was hoping to pick a few up as stocking stuffers.
Scott K
Even the lower-cost Rev is close to $30 at both HD and Amazon
susano
One can only hope that they go under $20 on clearance after Xmas.
Big Adam
Just ordered a Skeletool, a Wingman AND a Sidekick, shipped to a buddy in Florida.
Skeletool will be for me. Others for two system test support kits I’m putting together.
Even with recent fall in the pound, these are crazy cheap prices compared to UK.
pencil neck
I’m going to sit tight and see if Home Depot drops the price down to $20 in January again. I picked up a 3 sets back then, kept one for myself. If there is another $20 fire sale, I’ll pick up several more… gifts to give and in case I loose mine.
The pliers have performed above and beyond what I would of expected… I was able to cut several metal band straps on some crates last month at a trade show. It took a bit of effort, but the pliers are still smooth and lined up like nothing happened.
Bart
I picked up a Skeletool on BF last year and I love it. I fly mid and high powered rockets and it really comes in handy out at the flying field. I still keep a few tools in my range box but for the most part they stay put for most things. They’re good for anything from stripping wire to removing stubborn motor closures.
Yadda
Just wanted to let everyone know that Home Depot has Skeletools marked down to $23. Not all HD stores have a supply of Skeletool in stock, but many do because this is the second year they’ve sold them at Christmas so lots of leftover stock in some areas.
This was a good buy at $30, it is much better at $23.