Skil has finally come out with a new cordless multi-cutter, filling a hole left in their revamped lineup.
The new multi-cutter is part of Skil’s PWRCore 12V cordless power tool lineup, and features a self-sharpening blade, 1/4″ cutting capacity, compact design, and lock-off switch.
It’s sold as a tool-only, and so you’ll need your own Skil PWRCore 12V battery and charger. I’d recommend their brushless drill kit, which I reviewed here and is currently priced at $70.
Multi-cutters like this one are suited for cutting cardboard, plastic packaging material, fencing, vinyl, fabric, paper, and other types of flat materials up to 1/4″ thick. It might help to think of them as powered scissors.
Price: $50 for the bare tool
Buy Now via Amazon
See Also: Drill Kit
See Also: Multi-Tool Kit
Discussion
There have been many different versions of this tool in the past, by Skil and other brands.
First came a 3.6V cordless model, with built-in rechargeable battery.
Then came an multi-cutter attachment version, where the cutter head attached to the front of their iXO cordless screwdriver.
Now, they have this 12V cordless version, part of their PWRCore 12V lineup of revamped and modernized tools.
The price seems reasonable – $50 for the bare tool, but since there doesn’t seem to be a kit format, that’s $50 on top of at least $70 to get your started in Skil’s PWRCore 12V platform.
There’s also a Makita 12V Max (CXT) cordless multi-cutter, even more attractively priced, at $102 for a full starter kit.
Buy Now: Makita Kit via Amazon
So, it’s $102 for the Makita kit vs. $120 minimum for the Skil bare tool plus a drill kit, or just $50 for the Skil bare tool if you’re already in the PWRCore 12V cordless power tool platform.
Perhaps we’ll see a discounted starter kit for the Skil multi-cutter. If not, while I’m glad to see a new Skil-branded multi-cutter on the market, they’re not giving new users enough of an incentive to join their PRWCore 12V cordless platform.
If you just want a multi-cutter and haven’t yet bought into any brand’s 12V platform, the Makita is the more economical bare tool choice. Not to mince words, but Makita is also considered a more pro-oriented brand than Skil. Skil does have some very compelling tools in their 12V lineup though, and some very modern features, but a lot of users looking for a tool like this will look at pricing first and foremost. Here’s to hoping we see a ~$79 starter kit at some point.
All this is to say that I’m happy to see a new Skil multi-cutter option, but the bare tool format and pricing immediately opens it up to strong competition and from a typically higher-positioned brand.
We also don’t when the Skil cutter will be available for purchase, as right now Amazon describes it as being temporarily out of stock, which is typical for new introductions, and so there might be additional purchase options (hopefully a kit) on the way.
