Victorinox Spirit vs Leatherman Juice CS4

[koomeister]

I have previously posted a topic about my choice of CS4 when it comes to an EDC MT.

The CS4 has done an extremely good job as it was following me mostly.  Sadly, this also means I have a bigger chance of losing it or damaging it.  It happens that I've lost it.

And for the sake of a comparison I would love to make for ages, I have purchased a Victorinox Spirit as a replacement.  I am pretty sure it'll do the job just as well.

Now, this beauty has its wow factor.  First up is that it comes with a leather pouch (but like most others, I'd prefer a click button rather than Valcro).  And then its shinny surfaces, locking tools, and fractionally thicker than CS4 and ever so slightly heavier, I would think I would love this tool!  Every piece of tool on this MT is well thought of and well made.

The setback though is its shinny surfaces - almost leave fingerprints immediately and permanently.  Also, like a lot of others, I prefer their old school blades instead of its butter knife blade even though that blade can almost cut anything with ease.  The scissors is the only real hiccup.  I cannot believe the (extremely small) opening and the size of this scissors.  The design and engineering is otherwise faultless.

The Spirit certainly feels a hell lot more sturdier on hand and the locking tools would give you a peace of mind when it is in use.

However, as an EDC, unless you like to carry it in a pouch, it is certainly a lot more intrusive than you would like in your jeans than the CS4, because of its length.  I have a feeling that the CS4 can do a bit more than the Spirit, but doing every job a lot worse.  For example, the awl, the can opener - both tools have this feature but I would always use the Victorinox because it will make my life much easier.  There's probably a lot more flat head screw drivers on offer on CS4 but you can also damage them quite easily.  The blade, while both are quite long, the CS4 is thicker and is more difficult to handle.

My final verdict?  I think you are going to hate me... because I'm going to sit on the fence.

If your focus is on having a pocket friendly tool that can do a lot, CS4 is for you; if you don't mind carry the extra weight for locking and sturdier construction and don't do a lot of scissors cutting, Spirit will be your choice.

[ducktapehero]

Good review. I'd sell my 1 kidney if Vic would come out with a pocket sized pliers based multi-tool. Or even a thinner lighter "economy" Spirit with just basic tools. It isn't the length of the Spirit that bothers me, it's the weight. I've found about 4-5 ounces is about the most I want to pocket carry.

[Mr. Whippy]

I pretty much agree with your conclusions. 

I don't like the super smooth (and slippery) Spirit handles, but it is significantly more substantial than the Juice.

For medium/light duty, the The Juice series of tools are quite good.

[koomeister]

Good review. I'd sell my 1 kidney if Vic would come out with a pocket sized pliers based multi-tool. Or even a thinner lighter "economy" Spirit with just basic tools. It isn't the length of the Spirit that bothers me, it's the weight. I've found about 4-5 ounces is about the most I want to pocket carry.

I'd have to agree.  As much as I love the CS4, I even find it intrusive despite lighter than the Spirit.  In conclusion, there isn't a perfect MT as such, but these 2 are up there.