Leatherman Skeletool KBX: A 1.3-Ounce EDC Knife That Skips the Multitool

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The problem with carrying a full-size multitool is rarely whether it can do enough. It is whether you will actually keep it in your pocket. Pliers, drivers, scissors, saws, and extra implements are useful right up until their weight and bulk make them something you leave in a drawer.

Price: $39.95
Where to Buy: Amazon

The Leatherman Skeletool KBX takes the opposite approach. It is not a downsized tool chest. It is a compact folding knife with a bottle opener that doubles as its pocket clip. If your real everyday needs are opening packages, cutting cord, handling a quick outdoor task, and occasionally opening a bottle, that restraint may be exactly why this long-running Amazon favorite remains relevant.

At the time of checking, the Aurora Orange Skeletool KBX was listed at $39.95 on Amazon, with a 4.6-star average from more than 1,600 ratings and a #45 ranking in Amazon’s Multitools category. Those numbers can change, but they show that it remains a ranked product with substantial accumulated customer feedback, not merely an old catalog leftover.

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The Best Feature Is What Leatherman Left Out

The Skeletool KBX has two tools: a 420HC combo blade and a bottle opener. That is it.

For buyers accustomed to calling every Leatherman a multitool, that may sound like an obvious compromise. It is. There are no pliers, drivers, scissors, file, or wire cutters here. If you expect to tighten hardware, repair a bike, or handle job-site tasks, buy a true multitool instead.

But a more honest question is how often those extra implements justify five or more ounces in your pocket. The KBX weighs only 1.3 ounces, according to Leatherman and Amazon. It is 3.45 inches long when closed, 5.87 inches open, and has a 2.6-inch blade. That puts it closer to a lightweight pocketknife than a conventional multitool.

The practical impact is simple: it is much easier to carry every day. A tool that disappears in a pocket is more likely to be there when you need it. For many people, a small, capable knife carried consistently is more useful than a full multitool left in a backpack or glovebox.

The Combo Blade Is Useful, but Not Universally Better

Leatherman uses a 420HC stainless-steel combo blade, meaning part of the edge is plain and part is serrated. The plain section is better for ordinary slicing tasks, while the serrations help grip material such as rope, webbing, and tougher packaging.

That sounds like an all-purpose solution, but there is a real tradeoff. Serrations are useful when pulling through fibrous material, yet they are less convenient for controlled cuts and more awkward to sharpen than a fully plain edge. Buyers who mostly open boxes, cut tape, or slice food may prefer the regular Skeletool KB with its plain blade. The KBX makes more sense for someone who expects to cut cord, straps, or outdoor materials.

Leatherman uses a frame lock, and the company says the blade locks open for safer use. That is an important practical feature. A locking blade does not make a knife risk-free, but it is a better fit for everyday cutting than a slip-joint design that relies only on spring tension.

As with any pocketknife, check the rules where you live, work, study, and travel before carrying it. Blade laws and workplace policies vary, and a useful everyday tool is only useful if you can legally and comfortably carry it.

The Bottle Opener Is Not Just an Extra

The bottle opener also acts as the pocket clip, which is a clever use of limited space. Leatherman calls it the BottleClip. That design gives the KBX a secure carry point without adding a separate clip assembly or another tool layer.

The evidence supports the minimalist design rather than a broad claim of versatility. Leatherman does not position this as a seven-function Skeletool. It openly gives buyers two functions, then focuses on portability. The company also backs the tool with its 25-year warranty, subject to its warranty terms.

At $39.95, the KBX is not bargain-bin priced. There are cheaper pocketknives. What you are paying for is a well-established Leatherman design, low weight, a locking combo blade, a functional clip-opener, and long-term warranty coverage.

Who Should Buy the Skeletool KBX?

Buy the Skeletool KBX if your ideal everyday-carry tool is a lightweight locking knife with just enough extra utility to earn its pocket space. It is particularly compelling for commuters, campers, students with lawful carry options, and anyone who has stopped carrying a heavier multitool because it felt like too much tool for normal life.

Price: $39.95
Where to Buy: Amazon

Leatherman Skeletool KBX Pocket Multitool with Knife and Bottle Opener 8

Leatherman Skeletool KBX Pocket Multitool with Knife and Bottle Opener 9

Skip it if you need pliers, a screwdriver, scissors, dependable one-handed opening, or a full plain edge. The KBX is not trying to replace a Wave, a Skeletool 7-in-1, or a dedicated work knife. It is for buyers who value carry comfort over maximum capability, and that narrow focus is exactly what makes it persuasive.