Leatherman Skeletool CX (833130, standard)
Published · Researched 2026-09-21
2026 lineup note: Current. The Skeletool CX (7 tools, 154CM blade, 5 oz) remains Leatherman's lightweight EDC multitool, now sold in new colors (Onyx, Nightshade, Verdant, Paradise, Aurora). MSRP $99.95 for current standard/color variants (833130; older OD Green SKUs listed at $89.95). Sheath sold separately. 25-year warranty.
Version lineage (2023–2026)
- 2008–2022: Skeletool family — the original Skeletool (420HC blade) and CX (154CM blade, DLC coating) established the lightweight-multitool category.
- 2023–2026: Skeletool CX current — unchanged mechanics; expanded colorways (Onyx 833129, Aurora 833552, Verdant, Paradise, Nightshade). MSRP moved from $89.95 (older SKUs) to $99.95 (current). Also see the Skeletool RX (rescue) and KB (knife-only) siblings — different tools.
Overview
The Skeletool CX is the multitool for people who want pliers and a real knife blade without the brick: 7 tools, 5 oz, with a premium 154CM blade (a genuine step up from the standard Skeletool's 420HC), a bit driver with handle storage, and a carabiner/bottle-opener end. It's Leatherman's minimalist answer and one of the most-carried multitools in the EDC community. The honest tradeoff, voiced constantly in owner threads: you give up scissors, saw, and file — it's pliers + knife + driver, nothing more.
Key Specs
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | Skeletool CX, standard (833130; colors vary by SKU) |
| Tools | 7: needlenose pliers, regular pliers, wire cutters, hard-wire cutters, 154CM knife, carabiner/bottle opener, large bit driver |
| Blade steel | 154CM stainless, 58–60 HRC, DLC/PVD coating (color-dependent) |
| Blade length | 2.6 in (6.6 cm) |
| Weight | 5 oz (141.75 g) |
| Closed length | 4 in (10.16 cm) |
| Open length | 6 in (15.24 cm) |
| Width | 1.24 in (3.15 cm); thickness 0.52 in (1.32 cm) |
| Included bits | Phillips #1 & #2, screwdriver 1/4" & 3/16" (handle storage) |
| Features | Locking blade, replaceable pocket clip, outside-accessible/one-hand-operable tools |
| Country of origin | USA (Portland, Oregon) |
Pricing
- MSRP: $99.95 — current standard/color SKUs per armsagora.com dealer data (observed 2026-09-20); older OD Green SKUs listed at $89.95.
- Street price: typically discounted below MSRP at major retailers; exact 2026-09-20 street figure UNVERIFIED — re-verify at a US retailer before publishing. Date: 2026-09-20.
In the Box
Skeletool CX multitool, included bits (Phillips #1 & #2, 1/4" & 3/16" screwdriver). Sheath sold separately. Pocket clip pre-installed (removable).
Warranty
Leatherman 25-year warranty — the industry benchmark; covers defects in materials and workmanship. Leatherman's Portland service center repairs or replaces.
Support & Parts
Portland, OR service. Replacement clips, bits, and bit kits sold separately; the bit-driver ecosystem (Leatherman 21-bit kit etc.) extends the tool significantly.
Community Verdict
The social pulse is devoted: an Instagram creator (June 2026, 19K followers) opens by saying the Skeletool CX "has been in his pocket for the past nineteen years," walking through all seven tools and urging anyone considering a Leatherman to "seriously look at the Skeletool CX." A Facebook EDC-group thread (Mar 2026) asking about daily-carrying the CX drew experienced owners affirming "It's suitable for most daily tasks... except for scissors," with the standard advice to step up to a Rebar, P4, or Surge for heavier jobs. Critiques: top-heavy pocket clip, sharp blade corner, awkward plier grip for big hands. The 154CM blade is consistently cited as the reason to pick the CX over the standard Skeletool. No fabricated scores.
Images
images/leatherman-skeletool-cx-1.jpg(primary)images/leatherman-skeletool-cx-2.jpg(verified exact 2026-09-20)images/leatherman-skeletool-cx-3.jpg(verified exact 2026-09-20)images/leatherman-skeletool-cx-4.jpg(Bax; verified exact 2026-09-20)images/leatherman-skeletool-cx-5.jpg(154CM; verified exact 2026-09-20)images/leatherman-skeletool-cx-6.jpg(Walmart; verified exact 2026-09-20)- Provenance: see
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