Buck X-Tract 731 LED

[J-sews]

Has anybody heard about the new Buck X-tract version with the integral LED light? I can't seem to find much info about it. Apparently no mention yet on the Buck website. As near as I can tell from this picture, the only change is a bulge on the side that houses a little LED and an on/off switch. (and batteries too evidently)

Cool idea though. Still keeps everything on the X-Tract consistently one-handed.

[Grant Lamontagne]

This is the first I've heard of it.  Looks cool though.

Def

[supratentorial]

Has anybody heard about the new Buck X-tract version with the integral LED light? I can't seem to find much info about it. Apparently no mention yet on the Buck website. As near as I can tell from this picture, the only change is a bulge on the side that houses a little LED and an on/off switch. (and batteries too evidently)

Cool idea though. Still keeps everything on the X-Tract consistently one-handed.

I saw this link at KF: http://thegearjunkie.com/gear-preview-buck-731-x-tract-led

The addition of the light might finally push me to buy an x-tract.

[665ae]

Oooh... an excuse to buy a blue one   (not that I really need an excuse)

[NeitherExtreme]

From looking at the picture, does it look like the light could seperat from the tool? Or am I just seeing the battery compartment?

[J-sews]

By the looks of that little phillips screw, I'm guessing the battery compartment is as circled below:

[ringzero]

By the looks of that little phillips screw, I'm guessing the battery compartment is as circled below:

I'd agree with that guess.  I'd also guess that compartment contains a couple of coin cell batteries.

Output is likely 4 or 5 lumens with fresh cells, equivalent to a common LED keychain light.  Enough light for close up tasks and even for walking a trail if necessary.

Looks as if the light doesn't detract from the tool, and I suppose it could come in handy in a pinch.

Personally, I'd rather buy the standard X-tract and carry a separate coin cell light along in its sheath.

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[J-sews]

Comparing a regular X-Tract to the new LED model, it appears that Buck has done a fine job of adding the light without adding much additional size or width to the handles.

[Sparkey]

wow..a led is nice..now how about a pocket clip?? ;D

[Viper]

Or a plain edge blade.

[supratentorial]

wow..a led is nice..now how about a pocket clip?? ;D

Or a plain edge blade.

Or better pliers.

...might finally push me to buy an x-tract.

...hmmm... I think I've lost the urge to buy the x-tract.

[ringzero]

Or better pliers. ...hmmm... I think I've lost the urge to buy the x-tract.

Does this imply you've learned something negative about the X-tract's pliers?

The reviews I've seen so far say the pliers have decent ergonomics and are quite useful, despite their smaller size.

One MTO reviewer said the X-tract pliers are comparable to pliers on LM Juice.  Smaller than the pliers on full-size multis, but still useful for everyday tasks.

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[supratentorial]

Does this imply you've learned something negative about the X-tract's pliers?

I've never used the X-Tract so I can't give a full report but I have had the chance to handle the X-Tract in the store.  I prefer full size pliers and plier handles.  The pliers are a little small and I don't think that little metal handle will provide much leverage (see photo from DavidBinGA's review). 



I also don't like the spring mechanism in the X-Tract pliers.  The spring mechanism in the Leatherman Squirt pliers "feels" more substantial.  I'm probably going to pass on the X-Tract and buy a Wenger Ranger 75 when the come out in August. 

By the way... according to A.G. Russell, the X-Tract is made in China.  This isn't a problem for me but it may be important to others.
http://www.agrussell.com/knives/production/a_through_d/buck_knives/buck_xtract_black.html

One MTO reviewer said the X-tract pliers are comparable to pliers on LM Juice.  Smaller than the pliers on full-size multis, but still useful for everyday tasks.

There are two reviews of the Buck X-Tract on MTO.

DavidBinGA said:
"The pliers are by no means the tools weak point, and I was defiantly surprised how much they can perform in spite of their smaller size."

but Prime77 said:
"The pliers are the biggest disappointment for me.  While I haven't had any problems with them in use. They are on the small side. I would have to say that they not as strong has the pliers on the Leatherman Juice series.  I found myself being carefull when using them so not to break them.  Luckally the X-Tract is covered by Bucks 4-Ever warranty."

[ringzero]

I've never used the X-Tract so I can't give a full report but I have had the chance to handle the X-Tract in the store.  I prefer full size pliers and plier handles.  The pliers are a little small and I don't think that little metal handle will provide much leverage

Thanks for the clarification, supratentorial.

You're ahead of me because I haven't yet handled an X-tract, merely looked at pics and read reviews.

There are two reviews of the Buck X-Tract on MTO.

DavidBinGA said:
"The pliers are by no means the tools weak point, and I was defiantly surprised how much they can perform in spite of their smaller size."

but Prime77 said:
"The pliers are the biggest disappointment for me.  While I haven't had any problems with them in use. They are on the small side. I would have to say that they not as strong has the pliers on the Leatherman Juice series.  I found myself being carefull when using them so not to break them.  Luckally the X-Tract is covered by Bucks 4-Ever warranty."

DavidBinGA also said (in reply to a question about the pliers):
"Actually the juice sized pliers are about as close as your going to get for a comparison. They do the job well for thier size and they do it well. I am impressed by the x-tract and even though it's so simple it seems to do the job it was intended too with no problems given. Most people I gather dont need a "full" size set of pliers and this is the comprimise. I personally don't always need a full set on hand, but it is nice to have them around when you need them (pliers that is)

David"

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[David Bowen]

I will say though, that the X-Tract doesn't have as much grip due to lack of leverage. And a few other minor picky details, when you come down to it the pliers is good when you are not use to needing them. It's kind of a perk  As where other tools, juice line included are centered around pliers and thus making it the main theme.

David

[J-sews]

I will say though, that the X-Tract doesn't have as much grip due to lack of leverage. And a few other minor picky details, when you come down to it the pliers is good when you are not use to needing them. It's kind of a perk  As where other tools, juice line included are centered around pliers and thus making it the main theme.

David

I agree with Dave here. Don't buy an X-Tract if you expect to do any serious plier-ing with it. While the X-Tract jaws may be the same size as Juice jaws, the leverage issue makes them somewhat less usable.

[supratentorial]

Thanks for the clarification, supratentorial.

No problem.

...the leverage issue makes them somewhat less usable.

You know what would provide more leverage?  Compound leverage!   ;D   

[prime77]

I agree with Dave here. Don't buy an X-Tract if you expect to do any serious plier-ing with it. While the X-Tract jaws may be the same size as Juice jaws, the leverage issue makes them somewhat less usable.

I think that's an important point.  I have found the Juice pliers more useful and user friendly but like Dave said the Juice line are designed  around the pliers while the X-Tract is a knife with pliers. The X-Tract pliers aren't useless though I used them the other night at work to pull a razor blade out of a dirty razor scrapper they did the job just fine.

[J-sews]

Yeah, the X-Tract pliers definitely have their place, but don't expect too much from them.


Hmmm, how to best describe relative plier usefulness? Some sort of 1-thru-10 scale? 

[ringzero]

I agree with Dave here. Don't buy an X-Tract if you expect to do any serious plier-ing with it. While the X-Tract jaws may be the same size as Juice jaws, the leverage issue makes them somewhat less usable.

Good advice concerning serious plier-ing, J-sews.

However, I wouldn't recommend using LM Juice for serious plier-ing either.

I've seen a Juice's pliers break while the owner was attempting to remove a stubborn nut from a Coleman backpacking stove.

I've seen another Juice's pliers break while the user was trying to repair an external-frame (aluminum) backpack.

Both of those jobs were then completed using my ancient Leatherman Tool.

Juice pliers may be stronger than X-tract pliers, or maybe not.  I haven't seen the two tested against each other.

But, based on the experiences related above, I wouldn't advise anyone to count on the Juice pliers for critical applications.

One critical application is backpacking, when you're often several days walk away from any help or possibility of re-supply.  You need pliers that can be counted on to fix whatever has broken.


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[J-sews]

I have seen a couple of photos of broken Juice jaws on the web. Never had any problems like that myself.

Disappointingly, it sounds as if in both examples you mention, the user was not "overloading" the pliers when they broke. 

[damota]

I will say though, that the X-Tract doesn't have as much grip due to lack of leverage. And a few other minor picky details, when you come down to it the pliers is good when you are not use to needing them. It's kind of a perk  As where other tools, juice line included are centered around pliers and thus making it the main theme.

David

You have used both the X-Tract and the Zilla, how do they compare with each other?

Dave

[ringzero]

I have seen a couple of photos of broken Juice jaws on the web. Never had any problems like that myself.

I know several other people who have broken the pliers on their Juices.  I've heard it rumored that Leatherman had quality control problems with early production runs of Juice.  But, I'd guess that most Juice plier failures are due to people using them for tasks where a bigger multi would be more appropriate.
 

Disappointingly, it sounds as if in both examples you mention, the user was not "overloading" the pliers when they broke. 

Both applications required squeezing down quite hard on the plier handles in order to grab an object securely enough to be able to exert sufficient leverage sideways.

Both applications required padding the handles of my old Leatherman Tool to protect the hand during hard squeezing.  An awkward solution, but it worked well enough to complete the tasks.

A heavier tool with better plier ergonomics - such as Gerber Diesel or SOG Powerlock - could have accomplished both tasks with relative ease.


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