Leatherman Skeletool CX vs Victorinox Fieldmaster
2 tools, measured the same way from the same sources. 6 of 28 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 Victorinox Fieldmaster weighs 100 g (3.5 oz) and the Leatherman Skeletool CX 142 g (5.0 oz), so the Victorinox Fieldmaster is 42 g lighter, 30% less. By the manufacturers' own counts, the Leatherman Skeletool CX carries 7 tools and the Victorinox Fieldmaster 15. The blade on the Leatherman Skeletool CX opens with the tool folded; on the Victorinox Fieldmaster it does not.
Specifications last verified 2026-09-30.
Where they differ
Size and weight
The Victorinox Fieldmaster weighs 100 g (3.5 oz) and the Leatherman Skeletool CX 142 g (5.0 oz), so the Victorinox Fieldmaster is 42 g lighter, 30% less. Folded, the Leatherman Skeletool CX is 101.6 mm (4.00 in) long and the Victorinox Fieldmaster 91 mm (3.58 in). The Leatherman Skeletool CX is the slimmer in the pocket: 13.2 mm thick against 20 mm for the Victorinox Fieldmaster.
Sources: Skeletool CX: leatherman.com (checked 2026-09-30), Fieldmaster: victorinox.com (checked 2026-08-26)
Tools
By the manufacturers' own counts, the Leatherman Skeletool CX carries 7 tools and the Victorinox Fieldmaster 15. Only the Leatherman Skeletool CX has needlenose pliers, regular pliers, hard-wire cutters, carabiner and bit driver. Only the Victorinox Fieldmaster has small blade, reamer / punch, scissors, wood saw, multipurpose hook, key ring, tweezers, toothpick, can opener, flathead screwdriver and wire stripper.
Sources: Skeletool CX: leatherman.com (checked 2026-09-30), Fieldmaster: victorinox.com (checked 2026-08-26)
Blade
The blade on the Leatherman Skeletool CX opens with the tool folded; on the Victorinox Fieldmaster it does not. The Leatherman Skeletool CX opens its blade one-handed; the Victorinox Fieldmaster does not. The blade locks open on the Leatherman Skeletool CX and not on the Victorinox Fieldmaster.
Sources: Skeletool CX: leatherman.com (checked 2026-08-26), Fieldmaster: victorinox.com (checked 2026-08-26)
Pliers
The Victorinox Fieldmaster has no pliers.
Carry
The Leatherman Skeletool CX has a pocket clip; the Victorinox Fieldmaster does not.
Source: Skeletool CX: leatherman.com (checked 2026-09-30)
What they share
Both carry plain-edge knife, bottle opener, 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 Skeletool CX
7 independent reviewers. All quotes
- ✓ Pocket clip allows for comfortable and secure carry 5
- ✓ Blade steel is 154CM and holds an edge well 4
- ✓ One-handed opening and closing mechanism works well 4
- − Price is high relative to function or competitors 3
- − Pocket clip orientation causes pocket folding or sits poorly 2
- − Screwdriver function is awkward, tricky, or weak 2
Victorinox Fieldmaster
No point was repeated by independent reviewers yet.
Questions
Which is better, the Leatherman Skeletool CX or the Victorinox Fieldmaster?
Neither leads in every measured field, so it depends on the use. Choose the Leatherman Skeletool CX if you need a tool only it carries (needlenose pliers, regular pliers, hard-wire cutters, carabiner and 1 more), you want the blade reachable with the tool folded or you open the blade one-handed. Choose the Victorinox Fieldmaster if weight matters (it is 42 g lighter) or you need a tool only it carries (small blade, reamer / punch, scissors, wood saw and 7 more).
Which is lighter, the Leatherman Skeletool CX or the Victorinox Fieldmaster?
The Victorinox Fieldmaster, at 100 g against 142 g for the Leatherman Skeletool CX, by the manufacturers' published weights.
Is the Leatherman Skeletool CX worth it?
The Leatherman Skeletool CX lists at $99.95, $14.28 per counted tool. Among 7 independent reviewers, the most repeated praise is "Pocket clip allows for comfortable and secure carry" (5 of 7), and the most repeated criticism is "Price is high relative to function or competitors" (3 of 7).