Leatherman Signal vs Skeletool
2 tools, measured the same way from the same sources. 12 of 24 rows read the same on all of them; the ones that differ are what follows. A rust value is the better one in that row, grey is the worse, and a dash means we have not verified the field rather than that the tool lacks it.
The Skeletool weighs 142 g (5.0 oz) and the Signal 213 g (7.5 oz), so the Skeletool is 71 g lighter, 33% less. By the manufacturers' own counts, the Signal carries 19 tools and the Skeletool 7. Blade length is 69.3 mm (2.73 in) against 66 mm (2.60 in).
Specifications last verified 2026-09-30.
Where they differ
Size and weight
The Skeletool weighs 142 g (5.0 oz) and the Signal 213 g (7.5 oz), so the Skeletool is 71 g lighter, 33% less. Folded, the Signal is 114.3 mm (4.50 in) long and the Skeletool 101.6 mm (4.00 in). The Skeletool is the slimmer in the pocket: 13.2 mm thick against 16 mm for the Signal.
Sources: Signal: leatherman.com (checked 2026-09-30), Skeletool: leatherman.com (checked 2026-09-30)
Tools
By the manufacturers' own counts, the Signal carries 19 tools and the Skeletool 7. Only the Signal has replaceable wire cutters, wire stripper, saw, hammer, awl, can opener, wrench, whistle, firestarter, diamond-coated file and hex driver.
Sources: Signal: leatherman.com (checked 2026-09-30), Skeletool: leatherman.com (checked 2026-09-30)
Blade
Blade length is 69.3 mm (2.73 in) against 66 mm (2.60 in).
Sources: Signal: leatherman.com (checked 2026-09-30), Skeletool: leatherman.com (checked 2026-09-30)
Price and availability
At list price the Skeletool is $60 cheaper: $89.95 against $149.95 for the Signal. Per counted tool that is $7.89 for the Signal and $12.85 for the Skeletool.
Sources: Signal: leatherman.com (checked 2026-09-30), Skeletool: leatherman.com (checked 2026-09-30)
What they share
Both carry needlenose pliers, regular pliers, hard-wire cutters, combination-edge knife, bottle opener, bit driver, carabiner, phillips screwdriver.
What reviewers say
Points raised by at least two independent reviewers on YouTube or Reddit, with how many made each one. The quotes behind every point are on the product pages.
Leatherman Signal
11 independent reviewers. All quotes
- ✓ Saw is effective for cutting wood 6
- ✓ Ferro rod strikes sparks effectively 4
- ✓ Sharpener is useful for basic sharpening 4
- − Hammer is uncomfortable or dangerous to use 4
- − Tool is heavy and cumbersome 4
- − Saw is ineffective for serious cutting 4
Leatherman Skeletool
No point was repeated by independent reviewers yet.
Questions
Which is better, the Signal or the Skeletool?
Neither leads in every measured field, so it depends on the use. Choose the Signal if you need a tool only it carries (replaceable wire cutters, wire stripper, saw, hammer and 7 more). Choose the Skeletool if weight matters (it is 71 g lighter) or price matters (it is $60 cheaper at list price).
Which is lighter, the Signal or the Skeletool?
The Skeletool, at 142 g against 213 g for the Signal, by the manufacturers' published weights.
Is the Signal worth it?
The Signal lists at $149.95, $7.89 per counted tool. Among 11 independent reviewers, the most repeated praise is "Saw is effective for cutting wood" (6 of 11), and the most repeated criticism is "Hammer is uncomfortable or dangerous to use" (4 of 11).