The rise and fall of LM Juice line?

[wowaboro]

So, my assumptions are beginning to come true, Juice XE6 no longer available on LM site 
https://www.leatherman.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Leatherman-USA-Site/default/Search-Show?q=juice&lang=default

And now Juice C2 (like as XE6) retired:
https://www.leatherman.com/search?q=juice&lang=default

LM Juice end is near 

[Huntsman]

Hmmm Wow - Seems so
You reckon the whole line ?- Or just the pliers based models? 

I like the Juices - I usually carrry my S2 in my pocket at the weekend

[Poncho65]

The Juice has potential but seems like models like the Kf4 were discontinued way before their time  The Xe6 was another model they should have kept I am afraid you are right though and the Juice is heading out the door The new Free series may be what pushes it on out the door

[AimlessWanderer]

The Juice line was a fantastic concept, but the full potential was never realised. Leatherman simply didn't get the manufacturing standard to where they needed to be, to become a true competitor to the multifunction pocket knife.

Any hopes of Leatherman elevating the production standards of the Juice are forlorn, so maybe letting it go and introducing a new product for that niche is the best option, so long as they learn the lessons and heed the feedback of the Juice's failings. Maybe they can now (using the Free design concepts) produce something to a higher standard at a less cost prohibitive entry point.

I still have, and use, a KF4. I only use it when I'm highly unlikely to need the drivers though. When drivers might be needed, I'd rather carry a Sideclip along with a scissor laden Swiss knife. I still think that was Leatherman's best urban pocket tool.

[Aloha]

I had hoped LM would take a look at the Juice line again.  I really believe there is some great potential there.  As AW said, "The Juice line was a fantastic concept, but the full potential was never realised."

Real shame.  I just recently broke the bottle opener back spring on my Original S2.  I don't want to send in just yet.  I dont want the new S2 at all.  It works fine and I never use the bottle opener anyway.   

[genevabuck]

The Free series might fix and resurrect these problems.

[MTFool]

I have  carried an old   S2 for YEARS, only  sent it back one time for a broken back spring.  It always fit perfect in my jeans watch pocket.  I really hate to see them go.
( never really like the" new" style though)       It makes me wonder what they will replace them with if I need warranty work done.   

[wowaboro]

As I see, the last remaining Granite gray Juice B2 are sell out with a discount on LM site.
All normal Juices (two handles with pliers), Juice CS3 and colored Juice B2 already retired.
R.I.P. Leatherman Juice (2001 - 2020)

[ElevenBlade]

The Free series might fix and resurrect these problems.

More ominous words have never been spoken

[Poncho65]

RIP Juice Line I loved a few of the models but never ended up with many of the Juices After the "update" they appealed to me even less It is sad to see them go because they could have filled a niche the same as a SAK but with bigger pliers, the execution was there and the quality but for some reason they never took off like some of the others 19 years for a tool is still a long time for production, so there is that anyways

[ElevenBlade]

As I see, the last remaining Granite gray Juice B2 are sell out with a discount on LM site.
All normal Juices (two handles with pliers), Juice CS3 and colored Juice B2 already retired.
R.I.P. Leatherman Juice (2001 - 2020)

I had been rooting for the Juice line since I discovered it... too little too late.  When I started looking into these, I no longer needed pliers.  Therefore, the price was too high for me to get one as a backup or pinch hitter.  I already have two MTs that barely get used. 

What I liked about them without having bought one
- size... you can carry it in your watch pocket.
- outside access to tools
- corkscrew on a pliers based tool.... with a lever arm.... Can't beat it.
- colors, shape, form factor

What I didn't like
- price
- details in design, such as a blade that's shorter than it needs to be, some wasted space

I was also rooting for these from an American cultural perspective. 
I felt like these could make EDC more mainstream and acceptable.  So many avid hikers and backpackers don't carry any knife or multitool because it doesn't fit in their bright colorful fluffy fuzzy gear loadout. 
Still - read any major magazine from that type of activity and the Leatherman company is pushing their full-size tools in articles with pictures and expert advice.  Meanwhile, the community at large ignores all of it and advocates bringing a nail clipper.  As a matter of fact, I had one of those (admittedly beefed up for a MT junkie like myself) - a Gerber utility clipper... slightly thicker than a Vic classic, with the exact same tools plus the nail clipper itself. 

The Juice series must have been designed by someone who walked into a major outdoor outfitter in the last 20 years and then was locked in the bathroom in the Leatherman headquarters as punishment for a week before he was allowed out to complete his project and never speak of it again. 

Nothing is rugged, tactical, or para-military in the main section of the stores anymore - until you go into the hunting and fishing section.  Everything is candy apple red and lemon yellow, and there's nothing wrong with that.  My sleeping bag is royal blue, my foam pad is bright purple, my pillow is bright orange, and my flashlight is radioactive green. Only my tent which is still holding up after 25 years is gray and olive drab.   

Throughout it all, I've been an unabashed multitool nut.

All Leatherman had to do was talk to my friends - the ones who actually bring a bottle of wine on a camping trip. or have to repair their solar-powered battery for their Bluetooth speakers or firepit that can recharge their phone for them... or the ones who pack ultralight and survive on granola bars because cooking requires extra equipment, and pride themselves in doing a through-hike without ever building a fire. 

It's a pity really - an entire untapped community that has no relationship with the bushcrafters or the EDCers - a tool made just for them that's gone entirely by the wayside.

They'll never come back, you know - the more industrial looking the multitool is, or the more futuristic the ultralight folder is - the less interested the backpackers and car campers will be. 

[theonew]

I'm not going to get all weepy but I will miss them. I think of my XE6 as a great travel multi. Too big for a pocket but stick it in luggage and take it out at the hotel, house or cabin and you know you have most tasks covered, from opening wine to sharpening a dull kitchen knife. The KF4 is just a great tool for hiking and general wandering. Frankly I find the juice saw to be my favorite and the most efficient multi-tool saw. I remember using it to help my friend remove some woody shrubs from the front of her house and while we had lots of other tools to use, that saw was just so good for getting into narrow spots in the shrub and sawing it apart. I even like the drivers. The phillips is rock solid and has more reach than the bit kit drivers and I learned how to open the flats using the side of my fingernail and haven't had an ouchie in years. I've also put some serious stress on the pliers and wire cutters and haven't had a failure yet.

RIP, you will be missed

[ElevenBlade]

I would also say that the Juice line suffered from the same tool-set problem that has bugged me from day1 - too many screwdrivers.

If you look for one of the smaller ones from the perspective of someone who is not technically savvy - like me - there are 4 options for screwdrivers

Once you get to the bigger ones, you have to contend with scissors and saws, and everything.  Theres no happy medium.

The Juice line would have taken off if it was marketed to backpackers and campers, and focused more on the outdoor recreation world - fewer screwdrivers, and addition of the saw or serrated blade at the mid-levels, before they added on the scissors. 

-- something around the S2 size... replace one flat driver with an awl, replace the scissors with a serrated blade or saw

[Huntsman]

Very much agree with you EB - The Juice is a great outdoor/backpackers'/hikers'/climbers' tool.
LM really should have teamed up with one of the big outdoor equipment or clothing companies The North Face or Petzel or such like
Could have been a marriage made in heaven. .

We've had a few discussions here about it here at MT.o - However IMHO you just don't need regular full sized pliers for these activities - when weight is an important criteria
As much as I like the Signal - It is just too big and heavy and - dare I say it? A little gimmicky
  .
However a nice small tool like the Juice is perfect - eg to tighten a nut on a crampon or to sharpen up your ice axe - Or maybe an emergency repair on your tent or a bit of climbing gear   
I saw a great video (or maybe read an article) from a outdoorsey guru/expert praising the Juice for these activities

Also, if not a real SAK killer, the Juice is a real contender/competitor for a great pocket carry - Especially if you want decent pliers - I usually have my S2 in my pocket at the weekend

It's a shame they are going and it's a missed opportunity for LM

[Aloha]

  with you both.  When I first got my S2 I was very surprised of the size, pleasantly that is.  I wondered why it wasn't as popular as it seemed it could/should have been.  Everything mentioned is what I also found to be true of the Juice.  Such a missed opportunity.  Then LM went and shortened the blade in what I believe was a knee jerk reaction to hopefully make it passible take aboard a plane  . 

I carry an S2 in a pack I use for the fleamarket.  Its the original version and its a lovely tool for the most part.  I picked up a second PRO to use but being out of production I fear breaking it.  The back springs seem to be a weak area.  I'd be bummed to do any harm to it so it sits.   

[chacap]

I have a Juice CS4, practical but can’t compete with a SAK. I’m taking him on vacation because he’s got a good clamp, otherwise I always have a Victorinox on me.

[RicHT]

Out of interest, you say the Juice CS4 cannot compete with the SAK you are using, but what specially can the SAK do that the CS4 can%u2019t? Unless you require a specific tool set, id say that the CS4 can do things that any SAK can%u2019t due to the pliers.

Yes, I am a fan of the Juice. I have them all bar the SX, and I really don%u2019t think you can beat them for the size and %u2018compactness%u2019. Ive personally never had a problem with the drivers biting and I dont actually know what it means as I%u2019ve never had an issue at all. 

 

[RicHT]

What on earth has happened to my post with all those symbols!?!! Hahaha!

[Max Stone]

I think someone who likes SAKs hacked your post 

[The Lone Wanderer]

I've always liked the looks of the OG Juice line, so I will try to source one to try out!

[Thunderpants]

Very sad to see these go, they were the only Leathermans I liked!
I only ever had the old style orange one... the big fat purple one tempted me and now I regret not having bought one.
The dimensions on these things are great. I must say however when I tried to cut an old clothes line (wire strands in thick plastic) the wire cutters failed miserably.
I'd love it if Victorinox made a mini-Spirit with a reduced tool set and approximate dimensions of the Juice... I know it won't happen, but it would be nice.

[ElevenBlade]

Very sad to see these go, they were the only Leathermans I liked!
I only ever had the old style orange one... the big fat purple one tempted me and now I regret not having bought one.
The dimensions on these things are great. I must say however when I tried to cut an old clothes line (wire strands in thick plastic) the wire cutters failed miserably.
I'd love it if Victorinox made a mini-Spirit with a reduced tool set and approximate dimensions of the Juice... I know it won't happen, but it would be nice.

That would be interesting.  They do have the Rangergrip 74 with larger pliers and a nice blade ...  For that reason I doubt they would make a Little Spirit.  I'd be interested to see a size comparison between a Juice and a Rangergrip 74. My guess is that the Juice is more pocketable.

As an aside, I used to know someone named Little Spirit.