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Leatherman Skeletool vs Skeletool CX

2 tools, measured the same way from the same sources. 17 of 21 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.

By the manufacturers' own counts both carry 7 tools, but not the same ones. The blade steel is 420HC stainless steel on the Skeletool and 154CM stainless steel on the Skeletool CX. At list price the Skeletool is $10 cheaper: $89.95 against $99.95 for the Skeletool CX.

Specifications last verified 2026-09-30.

Comparing
2 of 357
Leatherman Skeletool
Leatherman
142 g · 7 tools
Leatherman Skeletool CX
Leatherman
142 g · 7 tools
Size & weight
Weight
142 g
142 g
Closed length
101.6 mm
101.6 mm
Width
31.5 mm
31.5 mm
Thickness
13.2 mm
13.2 mm
Tools & blade
Tool count
7
7
Blade steel
420HC stainless steel
154CM stainless steel
Blade length
66 mm
66 mm
Ownership
MSRP
$89.95
$99.95
Cost per tool
$12.85
$14.28
Manufacturer
Leatherman
Leatherman
Availability
In production
In production
Tools
Pliers
✓
✓
Needlenose pliers
✓
✓
Regular pliers
✓
✓
Wire cutters
✓
✓
Knife
✓
✓
Plain-edge knife
—
✓
Screwdriver
✓
✓
Phillips screwdriver
✓
✓
Bit driver
✓
✓
Bottle opener
✓
✓
Verdict
Buy if it is the cheaper of the two at $89.95; it works out at $12.85 per tool.
Buy if it works out at $14.28 per tool.
Verdicts are built from the measured fields only. They are conditional by design: which tool wins depends on what you are carrying it for.

Where they differ

Tools

By the manufacturers' own counts both carry 7 tools, but not the same ones. Only the Skeletool has combination-edge knife. Only the Skeletool CX has plain-edge knife.

Sources: Skeletool: leatherman.com (checked 2026-09-30), Skeletool CX: leatherman.com (checked 2026-09-30)

Blade

The blade steel is 420HC stainless steel on the Skeletool and 154CM stainless steel on the Skeletool CX. The edge is combination on the Skeletool and plain on the Skeletool CX.

Sources: Skeletool: leatherman.com (checked 2026-09-30), Skeletool CX: leatherman.com (checked 2026-09-30)

Price and availability

At list price the Skeletool is $10 cheaper: $89.95 against $99.95 for the Skeletool CX. Per counted tool that is $12.85 for the Skeletool and $14.28 for the Skeletool CX.

Sources: Skeletool: leatherman.com (checked 2026-09-30), Skeletool CX: leatherman.com (checked 2026-09-30)

What they share

Both carry needlenose pliers, regular pliers, hard-wire cutters, carabiner, bottle opener, bit driver, 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

No point was repeated by independent reviewers yet.

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

Questions

Which is better, the Skeletool or the Skeletool CX?

Neither leads in every measured field, so it depends on the use. Choose the Skeletool if price matters (it is $10 cheaper at list price) or you prefer a combination edge. Choose the Skeletool CX if you prefer a plain edge.

Is the Skeletool CX worth it?

The 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).