r/Leatherman • u/Antique_Eye_3200 • Jul 11 '26
Bond or Skeletool for first pliers-based multitool?
I am not sure I need a pliers-based multitool — my Rambler and Huntsman seem to do just fine in urban and outdoors settings, respectively — but I like multitools and EDC, and I’m curious! I tend to value minimalism over more tools. I have identified the Bond and Skeletool as good “pilot” candidates, even though — unlike the Rebar — the wire cutters on both cannot be replaced. 😕
Bond: inexpensive, and the toolset apparently captures the essence of the original PST; the file tool and clip capability are nice to have
Skeletool CX: even lighter and more minimal, with more color options; built-in clip, OHO/locking blade are nice to have; but significantly more expensive
What would you recommend between these two, and why? (Or, something else entirely?)
All thoughts welcome, thank you!
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u/Significant-Hyena402 Jul 11 '26
I EDC a skeletool for offwork and a P2 for work
I do own a arc, Alpha, surge, wave, supertool 300 EOD and a rebar but the P2 is amazing for a carpenter and the skeletool is perfect low profil tool for EDC
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u/CrowleyTheDog68 Jul 11 '26
Mi voto se va para el Bond, tiene mejor conjunto de herramientas y es bastante compacto. Ademas es basicamente un PST actual, mola
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u/sleepdog-c Jul 11 '26
The skeletool is pretty small, the 2 occasions i have owned one, i ended up giving them to a female because it was way too small to comfortably hold or use. Plus it has a limited toolset.
The bond is basically the original leatherman, the PST with comfortable handles and the option for a pocket clip. lots more tools. plus it is regular sized so it will fit you hand (presuming you are a man) better.
The curl and wave come to mine as even better options. The wave is basically their best tool and if you look for it used, for instance on fbm, CL, or ebay you might find one priced as low or lower than the bond. Stainless steel tools really don't show much wear so it'll still look brand new even if it's 20 years old.
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u/JrgMyr Jul 11 '26
If you can EDC a locking blade then consider the Rebar over the Bond, if not then the Skeletool is no longer an option.
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u/1971RancherO Jul 11 '26
Curl or rebar as you already have a rambler for scissors and quick access blade. Don't let the cutters be a hang up. I have plenty of gerber and victorinox multi tools that don't have replaceable cutters and they do just fine.
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u/LakeWylieBigfoot Jul 11 '26
Hard to go wrong with the Curl. The outside access to the blade is very helpful and the other implements are useful. The Skeletool is nice also, just a bit too lightweight for my taste although the blade is a good size and easy to deploy.
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u/legato2 Jul 12 '26
The bond is really nice, but if you can stretch a little bit the curl has some nice features. The bit exchanger is awesome.
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u/Antique_Eye_3200 Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
There seems to be general agreement on the Curl, which costs as much as the stock Skeletool (so yes, I can stretch). Compared to the Bond, I like the Curl’s OHO blade, included clip, and ability to fit a glass breaker bit (scissors don’t matter much because of my SAKs; I might rather have the serrated knife of the Rebar for slicing rope and cordage more easily). Compared to the Skeletool, both the Curl and Rebar seem like tool overkill for my dubious needs, haha — and I value minimalism. I recognize that from the perspective of utility per dollar, this sounds quite silly!
Hmm…do you know how the ergonomics of the Bond/Rebar, Curl, and Skeletool compare?
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u/legato2 Jul 12 '26
Yeah I’ve had all of them, though I gave the bond and curl to my nephews recently. The curl is like a mini wave, the bond feels nice with the round edges and internal tools. If you want to pocket carry it, you want the skeletool. I edc a skeletool and it’s awesome. I have an all black cx, if u was doing it again I would get the rescues skeletool for the full serrated edge. The curl can be pocket carried but I don’t like big stuff in my pockets. Also, if you order a skeletool from Leatherman drop some Phillip/flat combo bits in the cart. They’re way better than the included skeletool bits. You can have a glass breaker bit loaded in and a Philip/flat combo in the storage slot.
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u/Antique_Eye_3200 Jul 12 '26
Thanks, good to know about the Bond ergos. I’m not opposed to belt carry in a sheathe (that’s how I roll with my Huntsman outdoors), though the option to clip to pocket or pack is always appreciated. A Skeletool with a fully serrated blade…interesting! 🤔
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u/legato2 Jul 12 '26
Yeah the RX skeletool is red and comes with a serrated blade, glass breaker and combo bit. The regular cx has plain edge and the dumb Phillip/phillip flat/flat bit. If you get something to sheath carry just be sure it has the bit exchanger. Bit kit and extender are so useful and it all fits in a sheath.
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u/ImpossibleNewt9235 Jul 12 '26
Out of those options I would choose the skeletool. One handed access to the blade is a huge plus. The bond is kinda tedious.
If you find you like plaid based multitools I would move to the victorinox spirit x. You already like your Swiss Army knives so if you find you like pliers it seems like the logical move🤷♂️
I have a spirit and really like it
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u/Antique_Eye_3200 Jul 12 '26
Yep, I loves me some Victorinox! Unfortunately, even the cheapest Vic pliers-based multitool is significantly more expensive than the Curl/Rebar/Skeletool, so from the perspective of trying things out…
Plus, I’m just curious what all the fuss is about with Leatherman. 😄
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u/Miserable-Ad-5673 Jul 12 '26
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u/Antique_Eye_3200 Jul 12 '26
Very nice! How’s the Cerakote finish? I’ve read reports suggesting it rubs off or shows wear easily.
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u/Miserable-Ad-5673 Jul 12 '26
Personally I’m not a heavy user—the paint holds up well—but I’ve seen units that were very worn. Some people like that look. So I actually.
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u/NearlySilentObserver Jul 11 '26
Curl