Any Love for the Juice?

NorCalJim · **on:** January 21, 2017, 12:40:42 AM

My first Leatherman purchases were two Waves followed quickly by two Charges (AL & TTI). Although the Charges are my most treasured Leatherman MT, I find that I spend more time with the Juice. For some reason, I keep acquiring more of them. The only two not represented in my Juice collection are the KF4 and the SC2.

I'm one of many who have been influenced by the YouTube personality Nutnfancy who is lavish in his praise of the Juice S2 in that he finds it extremely useful and it fits into his size and weight considerations at 4.4 ounces. Although I strongly favor the SAK Explorer for handling my daily MT tasks, I do have a soft spot for the LM Juice and one is usually close at hand. So, when I joined this forum principally to participate in the Swiss Army Knights section, I was happy to see a Leatherman section with expectations of seeing Charge and Juice topics. However, I only saw one Juice related topic and am wondering if there is any love for the Juice among the members.

Jim

Gareth · **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2017, 01:23:54 AM

I've just got the one, but I'm a fan. Despite all the issues I have with it.

The uncommon SC2.

smiller43147 · **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2017, 01:46:08 AM

It's not perfect (what is?) but I like my S2. Not so crazy with the redesign they did a couple years ago.

Smashie · **Reply #3 on:** January 21, 2017, 01:46:47 AM

Nope, got an XE6 thing and still nope

NorCalJim · **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2017, 01:58:54 AM

Quote from: Gareth on January 21, 2017, 01:23:54 AM

I've just got the one, but I'm a fan. Despite all the issues I have with it.

The uncommon SC2.
(Image removed from quote.)

Great looking SC2! I saw some on ebay but the quality of the scales and tools were too low and the price too high to entice me. I like the blue color. It looks like the blue in one of my latest Juice purchases.

NorCalJim · **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2017, 02:12:13 AM

Quote from: smiller43147 on January 21, 2017, 01:46:08 AM

It's not perfect (what is?) but I like my S2. Not so crazy with the redesign they did a couple years ago.

I'm not a fan of the redesign either. I understand that the knife was shortened in the hope that it would be TSA friendly. So far, it looks like the textured scale is more durable on the redesigned model but its looks pale compared to the original.

NorCalJim · **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2017, 02:27:59 AM

Quote from: Smashie on January 21, 2017, 01:46:47 AM

Nope, got an XE6 thing and still nope

One of my LM Juice models, a C2, has an annoying issue (pliers sticking while trying to close due to conflict with flat drivers). If this had been my first Juice purchase, it would have been my last. With several Juice purchases, I noticed that the quality is all over the map. Stiffness and difficulty deploying the flat drivers is the most common. After working with these MTs and lubricating them (not talking about bathing them in oil), they all come around. Surprisingly, my copy of the XE6 works great with all the tools deploying easily.

Sorry about your experience!

Fortytwo · **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2017, 02:35:31 AM

Not really a fan here, I disliked how dust and grime got stuck between the scale and the skeletonized frame and resulted in a gritty feel to the tool as well as how quickly the colour faded. I tried a fake one recently and while I can't really comment on quality from a fake I know I don't really like the design.

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #8 on:** January 21, 2017, 02:46:17 AM

Tried several, and still have two. A CS4 and KF4. The tool is fantastic in theory, but a major disappointment in practice. I do occasionally carry one, but only when I'm keeping my carry weight/bulk down and don't expect to need to use a multitool.

They are better than nothing, even if they are infuriating. If I actually expect to need to use some form of pocket tool, I'll opt for something less disappointing/annoying.

NorCalJim · **Reply #9 on:** January 21, 2017, 04:00:35 AM

Quote from: 50ft-trad on January 21, 2017, 02:46:17 AM

Tried several, and still have two. A CS4 and KF4. The tool is fantastic in theory, but a major disappointment in practice. I do occasionally carry one, but only when I'm keeping my carry weight/bulk down and don't expect to need to use a multitool.

They are better than nothing, even if they are infuriating. If I actually expect to need to use some form of pocket tool, I'll opt for something less disappointing/annoying.

I am very interested in the various points of view concerning these tools. Fortytwo cited the color fade of the scales and how dirt/grit can get trapped between the frame and scales. What in particular do you find disappointing?

Even though I like these tools, I have used them under ideal circumstances and never under harsh conditions that would give me the dust/grim experience that Fortytwo reported. Despite testimonials to the contrary, the scissors have not impressed me. I try them on various tasks and quickly use my SAK when they run into trouble on a cutting task. I keep working with my Juice models that need it until they work smoothly. I would imagine also that any Juice owner has learned how to deploy the flat drivers without cutting themselves (either that or using pre-emptive band-aides).

Thanks!

Poncho65 · **Reply #10 on:** January 21, 2017, 04:21:56 AM

I only have a Kf4 and Juice Pro

I have a grey and solar yellow Kf4 but I carry the grey one as grey is one of my favorite colors

If the Kf4 had scissors then it would be carried way more because I love the size of it

NorCalJim · **Reply #11 on:** January 21, 2017, 05:04:07 AM

Quote from: Poncho65 on January 21, 2017, 04:21:56 AM

I only have a Kf4 and Juice Pro I have a grey and solar yellow Kf4 but I carry the grey one as grey is one of my favorite colors If the Kf4 had scissors then it would be carried way more because I love the size of it

Good to know that you are a fellow Juice owner! I love the solar yellow color of the KF4. There are many who lament its retirement. My Juice Pro is grey and is my most worn looking Juice. The previous owner obviously carried this constantly and must have used the medium flat driver to pry something because the driver blade is slightly tweaked. Even with its flaws, I like it better than my (new design) XE6, probably because the Pro predates the redesign.

I think that you would like the original S2 and possibly the CS4 (my favorite despite the fact that I keep buying S2s). The original orange Juice S2 is my favorite S2.

Take care & see you around the forum!

aurabattler · **Reply #12 on:** January 21, 2017, 06:20:01 AM

I like juice.. though I don't have one and never owned one. I played with a couple of them a few times and like them. I always want to get one but didn't pull the trigger. I almost get one a few times but ended up I got myself something else. Still, I am still thinking of getting one....

charlie fox · **Reply #13 on:** January 21, 2017, 01:08:31 PM

I've carried an S2 for about 8 years, so I guess that says something. I bent the tip of the fine screwdriver and sent it back to the home planet for repair. They sent me a brand new one. I actually like it better than my old one! Some people are complaining about the knife blade redesign, but I like the wharncliff profile. And since the knife blade is the least used tool (I carry two others) it doesn't really matter.

SurivStud · **Reply #14 on:** January 22, 2017, 03:49:21 AM

I own a Juice CS4 and really like it. When conditions, situation or formalities would make the Surge look to big or aggressive, I carry the Juice, and when the Surge is in belt pouch, Juice still remains in my pocket. The Surge is unbeatable of course for major tasks, by the Juice is a great little tool for light - medium tasks. Just as comfortable, small and good looking as needs to be to look friendly and useful.
The knife blade could be larger (there is space) but it has the precise length as to avoiding the aggressive appearance.

OR6 · **Reply #15 on:** January 24, 2017, 02:19:08 PM

I have a grey S2 and have never quite taken up the love for it despite lots of carry time sadly. I still carry it occasionally but only if I don't expect to use it. I have tried to understand why and can only think it's the weight and feel? that lets it down for me. Odd really.

Monrogue · **Reply #16 on:** January 24, 2017, 03:34:57 PM

I'm a fan, even though I rarely carry mine. I have an old style orange S2 and the yellow KF4. The S2 is just about the perfect little urban edc multi, especially if it had a nail file somehow. The KF4 is pretty neat too, but could use scissors in place of one of the blades. Overall, I think the size keeps me from carrying one, even though I rarely need a full sized multi. I just like to have one just in case though. Juices seem more like a plier based multi mated with a SAK, and since I carry a SAK at all times, the Juice just doesn't seem like enough of a compliment to the SAK. I could easily just carry my S2 around the house when in sweat pants or shorts, but my MechaRogue won't allow it....

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AimlessWanderer · **Reply #17 on:** January 24, 2017, 03:54:09 PM

Quote from: NorCalJim on January 21, 2017, 04:00:35 AM

Quote from: 50ft-trad on January 21, 2017, 02:46:17 AM
Tried several, and still have two. A CS4 and KF4. The tool is fantastic in theory, but a major disappointment in practice. I do occasionally carry one, but only when I'm keeping my carry weight/bulk down and don't expect to need to use a multitool.

They are better than nothing, even if they are infuriating. If I actually expect to need to use some form of pocket tool, I'll opt for something less disappointing/annoying.

I am very interested in the various points of view concerning these tools. Fortytwo cited the color fade of the scales and how dirt/grit can get trapped between the frame and scales. What in particular do you find disappointing?

Even though I like these tools, I have used them under ideal circumstances and never under harsh conditions that would give me the dust/grim experience that Fortytwo reported. Despite testimonials to the contrary, the scissors have not impressed me. I try them on various tasks and quickly use my SAK when they run into trouble on a cutting task. I keep working with my Juice models that need it until they work smoothly. I would imagine also that any Juice owner has learned how to deploy the flat drivers without cutting themselves (either that or using pre-emptive band-aides).

Thanks!

The Juice line is a regular gripe of mine, and for members who've been here a while, I sound like a stuck record -so apologies to those members for repeating these points again.

I have found recurring issues with floppy scissors which catch on the scales/liners when stored, saw bending in use to make stowage annoying (diving behind the awl), unsharpened useless awl, corkscrew assist chipping bottles, can openers unable to pierce cans, the bitey flat drivers, all of which could easily be remedied if the manufacturer actually cared about quality. The "wedge" like design of the plain edged blade makes it a poor slicer, shortening the pliers slightly would allow for longer/better/less vicious drivers. Why didn't they reverse the pointless design change on blade length reduction? Why not add a removable pocket clip? Is it really too much to ask to have the handles the same thickness?

The Juice line remains, on paper at least, the best concept for "urban" pocket tools as far as I am concerned. However, particularly considering the prices they demand, the execution of these tools is highly disappointing. So much potential, ruined due to lack of care and finesse. Fantastic idea, poorly executed.

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #18 on:** January 24, 2017, 03:59:36 PM

This might be an interesting read for you NorCalJim. It's a comparison I did several years ago with a Juice and a SAK. It highlights all my frustrations better of the full line. The only tools absent (other than the tweezers of the Pro) is the serrated blade and diamond file, and I have no issues with those two implements.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,25232.msg456045.html#msg456045

NorCalJim · **Reply #19 on:** January 25, 2017, 07:02:13 AM

Quote from: 50ft-trad on January 24, 2017, 03:59:36 PM

This might be an interesting read for you NorCalJim. It's a comparison I did several years ago with a Juice and a SAK. It highlights all my frustrations better of the full line. The only tools absent (other than the tweezers of the Pro) is the serrated blade and diamond file, and I have no issues with those two implements.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,25232.msg456045.html#msg456045

Thank you so much for sharing the comparison with me. I read it with interest and expect to take more time reading it again. I have read & viewed opinions of the Juice S2's scissors along with comments about its superior scissors design. My practical comparisons are completely lopsided in my SAK Explorer's favor. I have received a high volume of packages during the last few months and many of those packages are plastic "No-tear" bubble-lined envelope mailers (many of these have excessive packing tape posing a challenge for MT scissors). I fully expected my CS4 to have no trouble cutting these envelopes and was surprised and disappointed when it stopped after much effort yielded only a half inch worth of cutting. I reached for my Explorer and it finished the job with ease. A fluke? I tried multiple comparisons as cutting opportunities arose using a few of my Juice models and they all had trouble under certain circumstances that my SAK handled with ease. I then spent some time sharpening the CS4 scissors and saw some improvement but still noticeably inferior to the SAK scissors.

Although I agree with most of your comparison, I think that the Juice can be very useful with work. I think the Juice is quirky but it can be effective. I like having the flathead drivers but have had to spend time to get them to deploy easily and have had to develop a technique to avoid getting bit by these sharp tools. I have the extension kit that turns the philips driver into a interchangeable bit driver system that accepts standard bits as well as LM's 2 dimensional bits. I like the pliers and wire-cutting capability. Most all of the blades on my Juice models are razor sharp. I do admit that I treat the Juice blades as backup to my SAK (the SAK hasn't really needed any backup). The saws are great on the CS4, XE6 & Pro! None of my Juice samples with scissors have excessive play but they are coming up short on some jobs. By contrast, my SAK has successfully and often easily accomplished all tasks that I have attempted.

I look upon the Juice as a supplemental tool to my SAK Explorer and as such, I am very partial to the Juice. How else can I explain having five S2s (gave one to a family member or I would have six)? There is something about the Juice models that make me want them and even collect them. I won't ever choose a Juice over my SAK Explorer but I do choose it to supplement my Explorer.

I have pondered over my partiality to the Juice and suspect that I like its size and potential. For my particular needs, the PS4 could be my supplemental tool but I like the size of the S2 and greater capabilities of its pliers.

Thanks again for your thoughts and the link to the comparison review!

sLaughterMed · **Reply #20 on:** January 26, 2017, 06:41:54 PM

I love my orange OG Juice S2. I really like how thin they are, they really disappear into your pocket with a pocket hanger.

One day I'll get an Pro, and trim it down to a KF4 with scissors

Zachary Edwards · **Reply #21 on:** January 26, 2017, 09:54:42 PM

I love my S2 but I find I don't carry it a lot the only time I do it when I'm going out and I don't want my big leathermen on my belt

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Act2uToo · **Reply #22 on:** January 27, 2017, 04:42:19 PM

I carry a Juice every day. I find it's the perfect size. It has its shortcomings, of course. The scissors are not the best. I wish the implements would lock. But my CS4 has everything I need (except a nail file) and nothing I don't (even the corkscrew comes in handy once in a while). Yet it's only 3-1/4" (82mm) long. It fits in my coin pocket.

The market is saturated with larger MTs, that are typically 4" long, and there are also plenty of "keychain" MTs that are 2-1/2" long or less. But there are very few pliers-based multitools in an intermediate size.

tosh · **Reply #23 on:** January 27, 2017, 09:03:37 PM

I have several juices and try as I might I just cannot begin to love it.
It's a terrible design, those stubby drivers are not much use and pliers!... I always thought the original SOG Cross Grip pliers obviously scaled up slightly would be a vast improvement over the wimpish currently offered.
The saw on the XE6 is frankly diabolical, once attempted to cut a broom handle...it flexed so much I thought it was made out of rubber!

No, in theory the juice sounds brilliant, but in reality it fails to deliver.

Monrogue · **Reply #24 on:** February 03, 2017, 03:35:36 PM

Thanks to this thread, I decided to show some Juice love

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ThePeacent · **Reply #25 on:** February 04, 2017, 05:27:22 PM

I agree, very good concept, very poor execution.
If I had to keep one it'd be my Juice Pro, even over the XE6.
Bent the pliers on the C2 and the Pro, broke the scissors on the CS4, and I've been cut many times with the sharp drivers.

Only have the Pro right now, but I don't carry it and I find it too bulky and thick/heavy, so it is a bag tool for me. I prefer a SAK + MT combo that is easier to tote around and gives me the same or more tool capabilities and decent pliers

lohman · **Reply #26 on:** February 04, 2017, 05:54:24 PM

I really like the Juice S2 for pocket carry, just don't like the C2 cork screw model, not sure I recall how I got those. They seem better left in the kitchen.