diff --git a/code/__DEFINES/skills/defines.dm b/code/__DEFINES/skills/defines.dm
index 60d2321927..47aaeeb1dc 100644
--- a/code/__DEFINES/skills/defines.dm
+++ b/code/__DEFINES/skills/defines.dm
@@ -8,12 +8,6 @@
 /// Levels
 #define SKILL_PROGRESSION_LEVEL					4
 
-
-/// Max value of skill for numerical skills
-#define SKILL_NUMERICAL_MAX			100
-/// Min value of skill for numerical skills
-#define SKILL_NUMERICAL_MIN			0
-
 // Standard values for job starting skills
 
 #define STARTING_SKILL_SURGERY_MEDICAL		35		//out of SKILL_NUMERICAL_MAX
@@ -26,6 +20,13 @@
 
 #define DEF_SKILL_GAIN					1
 #define SKILL_GAIN_SURGERY_PER_STEP		0.25
+#define STD_USE_TOOL_MULT				1
+#define EASY_USE_TOOL_MULT				0.75
+#define TRIVIAL_USE_TOOL_MULT			0.5
+#define BARE_USE_TOOL_MULT				0.25
+
+//multiplier of the difference of max_value and min_value. Mostly for balance purposes between numerical and level-based skills.
+#define STD_NUM_SKILL_ITEM_GAIN_MULTI	0.002
 
 //An extra point for each few seconds of delay when using a tool. Before the multiplier.
 #define SKILL_GAIN_DELAY_DIVISOR		3 SECONDS
diff --git a/code/_onclick/item_attack.dm b/code/_onclick/item_attack.dm
index 106db7f40a..bef06a69e9 100644
--- a/code/_onclick/item_attack.dm
+++ b/code/_onclick/item_attack.dm
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@
 		if(totitemdamage)
 			totitemdamage = user.mind.item_action_skills_mod(I, totitemdamage, I.skill_difficulty, SKILL_ATTACK_OBJ, bad_trait)
 		for(var/skill in I.used_skills)
-			if(!(I.used_skills[skill] & SKILL_TRAIN_ATTACK_OBJ))
+			if(!(SKILL_TRAIN_ATTACK_OBJ in I.used_skills[skill]))
 				continue
 			user.mind.auto_gain_experience(skill, I.skill_gain)
 
@@ -192,9 +192,10 @@
 	if(.)
 		. = user.mind.item_action_skills_mod(I, ., I.skill_difficulty, SKILL_ATTACK_MOB, bad_trait)
 	for(var/skill in I.used_skills)
-		if(!(I.used_skills[skill] & SKILL_TRAIN_ATTACK_MOB))
+		if(!(SKILL_TRAIN_ATTACK_MOB in I.used_skills[skill]))
 			continue
-		user.mind.auto_gain_experience(skill, I.skill_gain)
+		var/datum/skill/S = GLOB.skill_datums[skill]
+		user.mind.auto_gain_experience(skill, I.skill_gain*S.item_skill_gain_multi)
 
 // Proximity_flag is 1 if this afterattack was called on something adjacent, in your square, or on your person.
 // Click parameters is the params string from byond Click() code, see that documentation.
diff --git a/code/datums/skills/_skill.dm b/code/datums/skills/_skill.dm
index e3f1d00ae6..eecf416b1b 100644
--- a/code/datums/skills/_skill.dm
+++ b/code/datums/skills/_skill.dm
@@ -33,6 +33,10 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_INIT_TYPED(skill_datums, /datum/skill, init_skill_datums())
 	var/base_multiplier = 1
 	/// Value added to the base multiplier depending on overall competency compared to maximum value/level.
 	var/competency_multiplier = 1
+	/// Experience gain multiplier gained from using items.
+	var/item_skill_gain_multi = 1
+	/// Skill gain quantisation
+	var/skill_gain_quantisation = 0.1
 	/// A list of ways this skill can affect or be affected through actions and skill modifiers.
 	var/list/skill_traits = list(SKILL_SANITY, SKILL_INTELLIGENCE)
 	/// Index of this skill in the UI
@@ -108,6 +112,10 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_INIT_TYPED(skill_datums, /datum/skill, init_skill_datums())
 	/// Min value of this skill
 	var/min_value = 0
 
+/datum/skill/numerical/New()
+	..()
+	skill_gain_quantisation = item_skill_gain_multi = item_skill_gain_multi * (max_value - min_value) * STD_NUM_SKILL_ITEM_GAIN_MULTI
+
 /datum/skill/numerical/sanitize_value(new_value)
 	return clamp(new_value, min_value, max_value)
 
diff --git a/code/datums/skills/_skill_holder.dm b/code/datums/skills/_skill_holder.dm
index 8357211463..73748417c3 100644
--- a/code/datums/skills/_skill_holder.dm
+++ b/code/datums/skills/_skill_holder.dm
@@ -91,10 +91,10 @@
 		CRASH("Invalid set_skill_value call. Use skill typepaths.")	//until a time when we somehow need text ids for dynamic skills, I'm enforcing this.
 	var/datum/skill/S = GLOB.skill_datums[skill]
 	value = S.sanitize_value(value)
-	skill_holder.need_static_data_update = TRUE
 	if(!isnull(value))
 		LAZYINITLIST(skill_holder.skills)
 		S.set_skill_value(skill_holder, value, src, silent)
+		skill_holder.need_static_data_update = TRUE
 		return TRUE
 	return FALSE
 
@@ -120,11 +120,9 @@
 		CRASH("You cannot auto increment a non numerical(experience skill!")
 	var/current = get_skill_value(skill, FALSE)
 	var/affinity = get_skill_affinity(skill)
-	var/target_value = current + (value * affinity)
-	if(maximum)
-		target_value = min(target_value, maximum)
-		if(target_value == maximum) //no more experience to gain, early return.
-			return
+	var/target_value = round(current + (value * affinity), S.skill_gain_quantisation)
+	if(maximum && target_value >= maximum) //no more experience to gain, early return.
+		return
 	boost_skill_value_to(skill, target_value, silent, current)
 
 /**
diff --git a/code/game/objects/items.dm b/code/game/objects/items.dm
index e998cf69bd..90e232938c 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items.dm
@@ -180,6 +180,11 @@ GLOBAL_VAR_INIT(embedpocalypse, FALSE) // if true, all items will be able to emb
 		if(damtype == "brute")
 			hitsound = "swing_hit"
 
+	if(used_skills)
+		for(var/path in used_skills)
+			var/datum/skill/S = GLOB.skill_datums[path]
+			LAZYADD(used_skills[path], S.skill_traits)
+
 /obj/item/Destroy()
 	item_flags &= ~DROPDEL	//prevent reqdels
 	if(ismob(loc))
@@ -848,7 +853,7 @@ GLOBAL_VAR_INIT(embedpocalypse, FALSE) // if true, all items will be able to emb
 
 // Called when a mob tries to use the item as a tool.
 // Handles most checks.
-/obj/item/proc/use_tool(atom/target, mob/living/user, delay, amount=0, volume=0, datum/callback/extra_checks, skill_gain_mult = 1, max_level = INFINITY)
+/obj/item/proc/use_tool(atom/target, mob/living/user, delay, amount=0, volume=0, datum/callback/extra_checks, skill_gain_mult = STD_USE_TOOL_MULT)
 	// No delay means there is no start message, and no reason to call tool_start_check before use_tool.
 	// Run the start check here so we wouldn't have to call it manually.
 	if(!delay && !tool_start_check(user, amount))
@@ -893,7 +898,8 @@ GLOBAL_VAR_INIT(embedpocalypse, FALSE) // if true, all items will be able to emb
 		for(var/skill in used_skills)
 			if(!(SKILL_TRAINING_TOOL in used_skills[skill]))
 				continue
-			user.mind.auto_gain_experience(skill, gain*skill_gain_mult, GET_STANDARD_LVL(max_level))
+			var/datum/skill/S = GLOB.skill_datums[skill]
+			user.mind.auto_gain_experience(skill, gain*skill_gain_mult*S.item_skill_gain_multi)
 
 	return TRUE
 
diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/grenades/chem_grenade.dm b/code/game/objects/items/grenades/chem_grenade.dm
index 4ce0e811c3..f06dd634c6 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/grenades/chem_grenade.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/grenades/chem_grenade.dm
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@
 		to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>You add [A] to the [initial(name)] assembly.</span>")
 
 	else if(stage == EMPTY && istype(I, /obj/item/stack/cable_coil))
-		if (I.use_tool(src, user, 0, 1, max_level = JOB_SKILL_BASIC))
+		if (I.use_tool(src, user, 0, 1, skill_gain_mult = TRIVIAL_USE_TOOL_MULT))
 			det_time = 50 // In case the cable_coil was removed and readded.
 			stage_change(WIRED)
 			to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>You rig the [initial(name)] assembly.</span>")
diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/stacks/sheets/glass.dm b/code/game/objects/items/stacks/sheets/glass.dm
index 57af862b69..d4baea2487 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/stacks/sheets/glass.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/stacks/sheets/glass.dm
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_INIT(glass_recipes, list ( \
 		if (get_amount() < 1 || CC.get_amount() < 5)
 			to_chat(user, "<span class='warning>You need five lengths of coil and one sheet of glass to make wired glass!</span>")
 			return
-		CC.use_tool(src, user, 0, 5, max_level = JOB_SKILL_BASIC)
+		CC.use_tool(src, user, 0, 5, skill_gain_mult = TRIVIAL_USE_TOOL_MULT)
 		use(1)
 		to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>You attach wire to the [name].</span>")
 		var/obj/item/stack/light_w/new_tile = new(user.loc)
diff --git a/code/modules/hydroponics/plant_genes.dm b/code/modules/hydroponics/plant_genes.dm
index b18f4396d6..a666a36099 100644
--- a/code/modules/hydroponics/plant_genes.dm
+++ b/code/modules/hydroponics/plant_genes.dm
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@
 
 /datum/plant_gene/trait/battery/on_attackby(obj/item/reagent_containers/food/snacks/grown/G, obj/item/I, mob/user)
 	if(istype(I, /obj/item/stack/cable_coil))
-		if(I.use_tool(src, user, 0, 5, max_level = JOB_SKILL_EXPERT))
+		if(I.use_tool(src, user, 0, 5, skill_gain_mult = TRIVIAL_USE_TOOL_MULT))
 			to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>You add some cable to [G] and slide it inside the battery encasing.</span>")
 			var/obj/item/stock_parts/cell/potato/pocell = new /obj/item/stock_parts/cell/potato(user.loc)
 			pocell.icon_state = G.icon_state
diff --git a/code/modules/mining/ores_coins.dm b/code/modules/mining/ores_coins.dm
index b3462773d8..8bc9cc4512 100644
--- a/code/modules/mining/ores_coins.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mining/ores_coins.dm
@@ -390,7 +390,7 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_INIT(sand_recipes, list(\
 			to_chat(user, "<span class='warning'>There already is a string attached to this coin!</span>")
 			return
 
-		if (W.use_tool(src, user, 0, 1, max_level = JOB_SKILL_BASIC))
+		if (W.use_tool(src, user, 0, 1, skill_gain_mult = BARE_USE_TOOL_MULT))
 			add_overlay("coin_string_overlay")
 			string_attached = 1
 			to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>You attach a string to the coin.</span>")
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/robot.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/robot.dm
index 633135b3d2..51cff93ceb 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/robot.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/silicon/robot/robot.dm
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@
 		if (getFireLoss() > 0 || getToxLoss() > 0)
 			if(src == user)
 				to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>You start fixing yourself...</span>")
-				if(!W.use_tool(src, user, 50, 1, max_level = JOB_SKILL_TRAINED))
+				if(!W.use_tool(src, user, 50, 1, skill_gain_mult = TRIVIAL_USE_TOOL_MULT))
 					to_chat(user, "<span class='warning'>You need more cable to repair [src]!</span>")
 					return
 				adjustFireLoss(-10)
diff --git a/code/modules/power/lighting.dm b/code/modules/power/lighting.dm
index c18eebbb55..f911a6a4e4 100644
--- a/code/modules/power/lighting.dm
+++ b/code/modules/power/lighting.dm
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@
 				return
 
 			if(istype(W, /obj/item/stack/cable_coil))
-				if(W.use_tool(src, user, 0, 1, max_level = JOB_SKILL_TRAINED))
+				if(W.use_tool(src, user, 0, 1, skill_gain_mult = TRIVIAL_USE_TOOL_MULT))
 					icon_state = "[fixture_type]-construct-stage2"
 					stage = 2
 					user.visible_message("[user.name] adds wires to [src].", \
diff --git a/code/modules/projectiles/guns/ballistic/revolver.dm b/code/modules/projectiles/guns/ballistic/revolver.dm
index f34dbc6abc..b64b1c74ba 100644
--- a/code/modules/projectiles/guns/ballistic/revolver.dm
+++ b/code/modules/projectiles/guns/ballistic/revolver.dm
@@ -336,7 +336,7 @@
 /obj/item/gun/ballistic/revolver/doublebarrel/improvised/attackby(obj/item/A, mob/user, params)
 	..()
 	if(istype(A, /obj/item/stack/cable_coil) && !sawn_off)
-		if(A.use_tool(src, user, 0, 10, max_level = JOB_SKILL_BASIC))
+		if(A.use_tool(src, user, 0, 10, skill_gain_mult = EASY_USE_TOOL_MULT))
 			slot_flags = ITEM_SLOT_BACK
 			to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>You tie the lengths of cable to the shotgun, making a sling.</span>")
 			slung = TRUE
diff --git a/code/modules/projectiles/guns/ballistic/shotgun.dm b/code/modules/projectiles/guns/ballistic/shotgun.dm
index a4a4065959..873b129c8f 100644
--- a/code/modules/projectiles/guns/ballistic/shotgun.dm
+++ b/code/modules/projectiles/guns/ballistic/shotgun.dm
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@
 /obj/item/gun/ballistic/shotgun/boltaction/improvised/attackby(obj/item/A, mob/user, params)
 	..()
 	if(istype(A, /obj/item/stack/cable_coil) && !sawn_off)
-		if(A.use_tool(src, user, 0, 10, max_level = JOB_SKILL_BASIC))
+		if(A.use_tool(src, user, 0, 10, skill_gain_mult = EASY_USE_TOOL_MULT))
 			slot_flags = ITEM_SLOT_BACK
 			to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>You tie the lengths of cable to the rifle, making a sling.</span>")
 			slung = TRUE