If most of your everyday cutting involves an Amazon box or a length of cord, you probably don’t need a pocket full of pliers and screwdriver bits. You need a blade, and there’s something appealing about keeping it that simple.
Price: $31.95
Where to Buy: Amazon
That’s the Leatherman Skeletool KB. A 420HC stainless steel blade, a bottle opener built into the pocket clip, and just 1.3 ounces to carry. It isn’t new, but opening a package hasn’t changed much either. The appeal is having the tool you’ll reach for without carrying the extras you won’t.
It’s currently $31.95 on Amazon, putting this compact Leatherman comfortably under $35. Check the listing before you buy, since Amazon prices can change.
A Plain-Edge Blade for Everyday Cutting
The Skeletool KB uses a 2.6-inch plain-edge blade made from 420HC stainless steel. This steel provides corrosion resistance and can be sharpened using conventional equipment, making it suitable for a folding knife intended for routine cutting.
Opening cardboard boxes, slicing packing tape, trimming cord, and cutting lightweight materials are the kinds of tasks the KB is designed to handle. Its blade provides a dedicated cutting tool without requiring the additional weight of pliers or other folding implements.
The plain edge distinguishes the KB from the Skeletool KBX, which uses a partially serrated combination blade. Both models share a similar design, but their cutting edges suit different preferences. Buyers should check the exact model designation, particularly when comparing retailer listings.
The KB also incorporates a locking blade mechanism that helps prevent unintended closure during normal cutting. Proper handling remains necessary, and the knife should not be used for prying, chopping, or other tasks outside its intended purpose.
For people who mainly need a blade for routine jobs, the KB provides a straightforward alternative to carrying a larger multitool.
A Lightweight Design That Fits Everyday Carry
Carrying a pocket tool becomes less appealing when it adds noticeable bulk alongside a phone, wallet, keys, and other essentials. The Skeletool KB addresses that concern with a skeletonized handle that reduces weight without requiring a complicated folding design.
The knife measures 3.45 inches when closed and weighs approximately 1.3 ounces. Its open-frame construction gives it a distinctive appearance while keeping the body compact enough for a pocket or small gear organizer.
A replaceable pocket clip allows the KB to be secured along the edge of a pocket or attached to compatible gear. That arrangement keeps the knife separate from loose items and provides a consistent carrying position.
The compact format also makes sense for people who already keep a full-size multitool in a toolbox, vehicle, or workshop. Rather than carrying that larger tool for every small cutting job, they can keep the KB available for routine tasks.
There are practical restrictions to consider. Local knife laws, workplace policies, and venue rules may limit where a locking folding knife can be carried. Its small dimensions do not exempt it from those requirements.
For buyers who want a dedicated cutting tool without committing much pocket space, the KB’s low weight is a substantial part of its appeal.
The Bottle Opener Adds a Second Function
Leatherman classifies the Skeletool KB as a two-tool design because it combines the folding blade with a bottle opener. The opener is incorporated into the pocket clip assembly, which Leatherman calls the BottleClip.
This arrangement provides a useful secondary function without adding another folding attachment. It can come in handy during outdoor gatherings, camping trips, or other situations where a bottle opener would otherwise be another accessory to carry.
The KB does not include pliers, wire cutters, scissors, or screwdriver bits. Anyone who regularly adjusts hardware, repairs equipment, or needs several tools for maintenance should consider a more capable multitool.
Its limited tool selection is intentional. The KB concentrates on cutting and opening bottles rather than attempting to replace a compact toolkit.
For Gadgeteer readers who appreciate minimalist EDC equipment, that approach may be more practical than carrying additional functions that rarely get used.
A Lower Price for a Simple Carry Knife
Leatherman lists the Skeletool KB at $39.95. At $31.95 on Amazon, it comes in $8 lower, a roughly 20% saving. That makes its lightweight, blade-and-bottle-opener design easier to justify if you don’t need a full multitool.
Leatherman also backs the KB with a limited 25-year warranty, subject to its warranty terms.
Who Should Buy the Leatherman Skeletool KB?
The KB fits the gap between having nothing on you and carrying a multitool for a job that only needs a blade. Leave the pliers in the toolbox, clip this in your pocket, and you’ve got a knife for packages and cord, plus a bottle opener for later. At 1.3 ounces, it’s a small addition to what you’re already carrying.
If you’re regularly tightening screws or gripping hardware, stick with a fuller multitool. Prefer a partially serrated edge? Look at the KBX instead. The KB is for the days when a plain-edge blade is enough.
Price: $31.95
Where to Buy: Amazon
At $31.95 on Amazon, the question is whether you’ll use those extra tools or just carry them. If they mostly stay folded away, the KB lets you leave that weight behind.
