Head-to-head · Best EDC Multi-Tools

Leatherman Skeletool CX vs Victorinox Huntsman

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Leatherman Skeletool CX comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about minimalists who want quality pliers and a knife without the bulk — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best EDC Multi-Tools

Leatherman Skeletool CX

4.6

$99.95as of Jun 7

The Leatherman Skeletool CX is the gold standard for minimalist EDC, distilling a multi-tool down to pliers, a premium 154CM blade and a bit driver in a 5 oz package. OutdoorGearLab scored it 75/100 and ranked it third of 22 tools tested, praising how it carries better than any other full-size device, and KnifeInformer rated it 80% while CleverHiker gave it 4.7/5. The trade-off is obvious: it conspicuously lacks scissors and a file, fulfilling a minimalist EDC role rather than a pocket toolbox role. For someone who wants a quality knife and capable pliers without the bulk, it is the best choice in this lineup.

Strengths

— Just 5 oz, among the lightest full-size tools, and it genuinely disappears in a pocket
— Premium 154CM blade steel, a clear step up from the 420HC on most Leathermans
— Carabiner-style pocket clip doubles as a bottle opener for true one-piece carry

Watch-outs

— Minimalist design omits scissors, a file and a secondary serrated blade
— Proprietary bit driver is not compatible with standard 1/4-inch bits
— Pliers lack the strength and leverage of full-feature tools like the Wave+

$99.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best EDC Multi-Tools

Victorinox Huntsman

4.5

$107.45as of Jun 7

The Victorinox Huntsman is the classic mid-size Swiss Army Knife, packing 15 tools, including scissors, a saw, can and bottle openers, an awl and a corkscrew, into a 3.4 oz frame. CleverHiker rated it 4.7/5, calling it remarkably portable considering its 15 functions, and Field & Stream endorsed it as a fully loaded adventure companion with tight, intentional action. It is the lightest, most pocketable tool here and the only one without pliers, trading locking strength and gripping power for breadth and Swiss craftsmanship. At around $40 with a lifetime warranty, it is the value classic of the category.

Strengths

— 15 tools, including scissors, can/bottle openers, saw, awl and corkscrew, in a 3.4 oz frame
— Each tool opens and closes with precise, deliberate Swiss-made action
— Slim, light pocketknife format carries far more easily than a plier-based tool

Watch-outs

— No blade lock, which limits confidence on tougher cutting tasks
— No pliers, so it cannot grip or cut wire like the Leatherman tools
— Cleaning the tool after messy jobs can be fiddly

$107.45 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Leatherman Skeletool CX

The Skeletool CX is the minimalist of this group, weighing 5 oz against the roughly 8.5 oz of the Leatherman Wave+ and Leatherman Wave Alpha while carrying a fraction of their tools. For blade steel it uses 154CM, better than the Wave+'s 420HC though it trails the Wave Alpha's MagnaCut. Like the Gerber Armbar Drive it is built around portability, but it offers stronger pliers, while the Victorinox Huntsman packs more small tools in a non-locking format.

Victorinox Huntsman

The Victorinox Huntsman is the lightest tool in this group at 3.4 oz, less than half the weight of the Leatherman Wave+ or Leatherman Wave Alpha, and it is the only one without pliers. It packs more small tools than the minimalist Leatherman Skeletool CX, including scissors, a saw and a corkscrew the Skeletool lacks. Unlike every Leatherman here and the Gerber Armbar Drive, its blade does not lock, so it suits lighter tasks.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Leatherman Skeletool CX	Victorinox Huntsman
Tools	7	15
Blade Steel	154CM	—
Weight	5.0 oz	3.4 oz
Closed Length	4.0 in	3.58 in
Key Tools	Pliers, wire cutters, blade, bit driver	2 blades, scissors, saw, can/bottle opener
Carry	Carabiner clip / bottle opener	—
Origin	Made in USA	Made in Switzerland
Warranty	25-year limited	Lifetime
Extras	—	Corkscrew, awl, tweezers, toothpick
Blade Lock	—	None

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