XE6 - heavy but not heavy duty

[theonew]

That seems to be one of the more common complaints about the Juice XE6, which, since I now have a Charge TTI and a Swisstool Spirit X, has been the biggest reason I wasn't very interested in this model. Nevertheless this tool is attractive given how many tools and uses it crams into such a small package, while still offering a "medium duty" set of pliers and wire cutters. The only other Juice model I have is the KF4 and while I love it to pieces I just haven't been able to really put it through its paces since it's a discontinued tool and not easily replaced. So I picked up a used XE6 for a good price on the 'bay in order to give it a good workout and see just what these "jeece" can do.

Well, as expected, it is a bit of a pocket rock but though it doesn't go unnoticed I don't find it to be particularly uncomfortable to carry.

Upon arrival the first thing I did was grind in a wide relief bevel on the main blade. I basically laid the blade flat on a DMT extra extra coarse hone, lifted the spine just enough so it didn't touch, and went to town. While I think the blade on the Juice models is very attractive looking I really don't like the geometry particularly much. The shallow hollow grind on a narrow blade with an abrupt shoulder transition is not great for an EDC in my opinion. In the interest of full disclosure, let me just say, I really don't like any grind which isn't full and flat. Gradually over time I'm going to grind this blade closer and closer to being full and flat, stopping if the blade seems to become fragile and possibly adding a new nail nick as the shoulder thins.  In any case it sure cuts better after some modest re-profiling and hasn't shown any durability issues.

The first heavier-ish duty task I have tried with the XE6 is cutting some New York City Parks Department wire fencing. This is the coated wire fencing they use to keep people on the paths and it is heavy gauge and fairly hard.  Now before anyone gets nervous thinking I'm vandalizing fences in Central Park, let me just say that I found an open work area that had some scraps laying around to use for my testing. The Charge TTI cuts this material fairly easily. Just a good solid squeeze and snip with no discernible damage to the cutters. The XE6 with a considerable leverage disadvantage and smaller hard wire notch is still able to cut this wire, albeit with a severe grip on the very ends of the pliers handles but also with no discernible damage to the cutters 

My next move is to sharpen the "safety" awl  and after that sharpen the can opener 

So far I'm pretty happy with the XE6. Though each tool might not be a functional work of art, it has almost all of the important ones and when the removable bit driver arrives it should see lots of use in the coming months 

[Crouton]

Did you take any before/after pics of the main blade?  I'd like to see how it ended up.

[theonew]

Did you take any before/after pics of the main blade?  I'd like to see how it ended up.

I'll try to get a pic up in a day or two, just need to get a camera from my wife   

It is actually narrower than I expected, about an 1/8 inch wide.

[Ashley]

I have the xe6 and it is quite a pocket rock but I really do like mine.

[edcgear]

I really like XE6, even thinking on finding one, but IMHO CS4 is far more pocket friendly and packs just nice set of tools. S2 is also great but I think that CS4 is best buy in Juice line... 

Oh, and... PICS 

[New_World]

I liked the XE6 but its was a little on the heavy side for me.
I ended up trading it for a wave. ( I know...the wave is heavier but I really wanted one. lol)

the CS4 is a good compromise.

But the S2 is my favorite b/c it is super light and has the tools I use the most.
I love it so much I own 2!  =)

[powernoodle]

The XE6 may be a little heavy for the pocket, but on the belt is pretty much disappears.  In my view, its the smallest multitool on the market which still packs every major tool, including awl and scissors.

[New_World]

The XE6 may be a little heavy for the pocket, but on the belt is pretty much disappears.  In my view, its the smallest multitool on the market which still packs every major tool, including awl and scissors.

(Image removed from quote.)

true, but its too much for my pocket.
on the belt. sure.

btw powernoodle...I want your edge pro sharpener.

[theonew]

Well I've been carrying the XE6 every day for over a week in my front pants pocket and for me at first it was right at the very edge of being slightly uncomfortable but now I'm getting used to it   While it's heavy, the curved and compact form factor seems to mitigate the weight. The CS4 does appear to be a near perfect balance of size, weight and function but I think I'd miss the awesome diamond file and I do like having a second, serrated blade for tasks like cutting up cardboard, that dull the crap out of a straight edge in short order. With the added removable bit driver and assortment of bits carried separately in a bag it's surprisingly versatile given its size 

Today I finally sharpened the awl and the tip of the can opener.  Ahhhh, so much better.

Yeah, yeah, I know, I know, this thread needs some pics.   Trust me, I'm workin' on it.

[J-sews]

Yeah, yeah, I know, I know, this thread needs some pics.   Trust me, I'm workin' on it.

 

[Gareth]

I'll put up my Xe6 here, it's a special one though; a naked Juice!  

[theonew]

a naked Juice!  

Very, very cool    That really takes the tarty out of the tool 

I did my due diligence and may have to give this a shot. I'm just not very confident in my peening skills 

[theonew]

Well I still haven't pried away a decent camera from my wife but in the interest of not getting banned from MTO for lack of pics, I shot a few with my Droid to show some progress.

First, my XE6 is naked. I did this for three reasons:
1. It just looks really cool.
2. It is so much easier to clean and dry.
3. While negligible at best, it does remove some bulk and weight.



After I removed the aluminum scales there was significant play in the tools and the pins stood very proud of the body.



In fact it was so loose that the bottle/can opener slipped off of the backspring.

Well I've never peened anything in my life so I figured it would be best to start with a 4 ounce hammer



After a good many taps I've gotten a couple of the pins to snug up tight.



Though they don't look very nice I have effectively removed any discernible lateral play without going far enough to overtighten the pivot.



I have a lot more peening to do on six other pins but hope to have it ready for work on Tuesday.

The main blade has started it's diet. In this pic you can start to see some metal coming off of the shoulder. It cuts a lot better as is but in the end it will hopefully be full flat or very close to it.



The can opener is sharp now and actually opens can effectively



And the awl is nice and pointy now too.




Here's one last shot with it's good friend the removable bit driver with my chosen selection of bits