Leatherman Freestyle: A Cheaper Skeletool
The Leatherman Skeletool was near the top of most of my admittedly-multi-tool-obsessed friends' wish lists this Christmas. Too bad it still hasn't made it to market. (Amazon is currently projecting a mid-March release.)
Now Leatherman is showing off an even lighter riff on the same idea with a couple of minor changes. Called the "Freestyle," the new multi-tool replaces the Skeletool's removable bit driver socket with a combination Phillips/flathead driver that uses some sort of slightly twisted end to make it work with both types of screw heads. (I don't understand how that works, exactly, but the Toolmonger boys seem to get it so I'll just trust them.)
The other difference is a nylon plastic handle which should shed even more weight from the already less-than-husky Skeletool. I presume that plastic handle is also cheaper than the carbon fiber or aluminum of the Skeletool models, since the projected price of the Freestyle is just $50.
Having burnt their customers with a slow launch previously, Leatherman is currently planning to release the Freestyle in December of this year, giving themselves plenty of time to build up Christmas stock.
Preview: Leatherman Freestyle [Toolmonger]
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Nice!
I've been carrying a Leatherman Sideclip for years and probably will do so until the 30 year warranty wears out or I lose it.
They've replaced it twice due to clip failures.
Maybe next time they'll be out of stock and upgrade me?
From what I can see I wouldn't mind.
I own a Skeletool and ordered it from Amazon 1/13/08. I've had it for about three weeks now. I was very disappointed at the delay in release, it became a very late (but great) birthday present. It is extremely light. I barely notice it's clipped on.
drool
currently have a leatherman wave which is great, but this lightened up version looks oh so sweet!
now if only it had a combination blade... I need to cut rope
That is a thing of beauty. Just this weekend I bought a Leatherman Kick, which I think is their cheapest full-sized multi-tool at $20. I'm happy with it, but did look longingly at the Skeletool for a good long while.
I bought my dad a Leatherman for his birthday maybe 15 years ago, and he still uses it every day.
Joel, I've had my Skeletool for about a month now. Got it from B&H Photo, had it on preorder since last November... love it!
Leatherman makes good tools, even if they discontinued my favourite. I've tried Micra, Juice, Knifeless Fuse (still no easier to get through security), Gerber, and a SOG with a built-in punch down tool, and I keep coming back to the Leatherman PST2. I do find that the flat phillips screwdriver in the newer models tends to work quite well.