Bring it back! (KF4 Appreciatcion Thread)

[DaveK]

They sold more of the Juices with corkscrews than the KF4, and they certainly listen to us on this forum as Def will I'm sure confirm.

The little screwdriver might not seem too useful to you (or me in fact), yet the Wave is the biggest selling multitool on the market.

And I think you're missing the point about the Fuse tbh. It's got nothing to do with design and engineering that the Fuse has no file, but everything to do with marketing. I wonder how many people who buy a Kick or Fuse (being the cheapest), and soon "upgrade" to the Blast or the Wave. I'm guessing quite a few.

I think the fact that Leatherman have become the industry monster, by virtue of the fact that they sell tons of multitools, probably shows that you're at odds with the rest of their market. As the KF4 showed, if they aren't selling tools, they retire and replace them

[cerbera147]

I wonder how many people who buy a Kick or Fuse (being the cheapest), and soon "upgrade" to the Blast or the Wave. I'm guessing quite a few.

I am probably a good example of that I began with a Squirt S4, which at the time seemed expensive for what it was, and have been so impressed by the quality, etc. that have quickly moved through most of their models 

It would be interesting to see Juice sales in a graph form. I had always assumed lack scissors sealed the KF4's fate but clearly the lack of corkscrew did its fair share too  I wonder was its similiar and familiar look of the Swiss Army Knife that Joe Public liked 

As superficial as it sounds one of my favourite parts of the KF4 is that Solar Yellow  However Thunder Purple looks particularly striking as well I have often thought it strange how they contrast these bright colours with grey 

[Mercury]

I had a juice S2 once and it was great, but the scissors did kinda stink.  I would have traded them for a serrated blade.

[sawman]

I'm happy to join the club. I received my KF4 a few days ago and IMO it's like a mini Wave with all the essentials. Just the right size for pocket carry, though I like the clear slide-holder. It's my favorite of the Juice series for what it offers and of all discontinued LM, this is one I most would like to see brought back 

[DaveK]

I think a lot of people on here agree with that Sawman - me included

[ryan1835]

id certainly like to give one a go, i just dont thik the small pliers would be much good to me

[SlackOne]

I'm sure some people are put off of the KF4 just because it's hideously ugly   Solar Yellow makes me want to cry.

I'd also suspect that the people who want the tool set that the KF4 offers probably mostly go for a larger tool.  It has something of the feel of a pair of work gloves made out of kid leather...just not the right combination of materials.  It *is* a pretty nice tool, but just feels somewhat out of place in the somewhat dandified Juice line.

[AHB]

because it's hideously ugly   Solar Yellow makes me want to cry.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder..

[DaveK]

They're not ugly, they're lovely

[AHB]

They're not ugly, they're lovely

They really are, aren't they..? 

[cerbera147]

It's all about the Solar Yellow 

[sawman]

Nothing says "elegant" like a Juice, from the curvature and grind of the blades, to the frame, scales and great mid-sized pliers. It's a thing of style and beauty, but maintains functionality at the same time     

[SlackOne]

I love this forum because there's people out there who can appreciate all of God's multitools...even ones that look like a pair of banana slugs mating

I keeeed, I keeeeeed.  If KF4s were one-hand openers, I'd probably own one.

In gray

[DaveK]

...even ones that look like a pair of banana slugs mating

 

[theonew]

What no KF4 love since May 19? That's not right 

Just got this used on the 'bay last week. It's in very good condition and it's everything I had hoped it would be 

[cerbera147]

What a great first post 

Welcome aboard 

It's hard to stop at one though 

[theonew]

Thanks for the welcome 

While I've been a fan of SAKs since childhood I'm fairly new to Leatherman. The Juice line is very appealing. Easily pocketable, eminently useful, zero legal carry issues (I'm in New York City), all in an extremely attractive package. This is definitely not my last Juice 

[cerbera147]

Chako has fine collection of Juice's / Jeece 

Including the very pretty green S2

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,23947.0.html
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,22005.0.html

And if you're really really lucky you'll come across the elusive camo Juice, even in KF4 

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,20715.0.html

[theonew]

Those camo juices are stunning 

I really wish you hadn't told me about them 

[Gareth]

Chako has fine collection of Juice's / Jeece 

Including the very pretty green S2

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,23947.0.html
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,22005.0.html

And if you're really really lucky you'll come across the elusive camo Juice, even in KF4 

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,20715.0.html

Oh man I'd forgotten about that green S2.  I really want one now.

[NeitherExtreme]

Nice! Welcome theonew. You got a great tool there.

Easily pocketable, eminently useful, zero legal carry issues (I'm in New York City), all in an extremely attractive package.

Exactly why I love the basic design as well. I hope you like the others as much as the KF4- they unfortunately never did grow on me, except the S2 for some occasions.

So how did you end up looking for a KF4 first? They're getting harder to find nowadays.

(PS, that pic would fit right in over here.)

[theonew]

So how did you end up looking for a KF4 first? They're getting harder to find nowadays.

Last summer I bought a Squirt PS4 for my keychain. After having it for a week or two it saw me through a fairly complex car repair (I'll post that story elsewhere) and since then I have really started to see the value of a pliers based multitool. After that I stumbled across this youtube video: www. youtube .com/watch?v=XPXoXU6xCDM 
I have no idea what the fellow is saying since I don't have speakers on my computer but I loved the tool complement. You don't see a lot of pocket sized tools with both a saw and a diamond coated file as well as all the other goodies. So then I just kept an eye on ebay and scored one this week, well two actually, I have another on the way as backup 

[NeitherExtreme]

So how did you end up looking for a KF4 first? They're getting harder to find nowadays.

Last summer I bought a Squirt PS4 for my keychain. After having it for a week or two it saw me through a fairly complex car repair (I'll post that story elsewhere) and since then I have really started to see the value of a pliers based multitool. After that I stumbled across this youtube video: www. youtube .com/watch?v=XPXoXU6xCDM 
I have no idea what the fellow is saying since I don't have speakers on my computer but I loved the tool complement. You don't see a lot of pocket sized tools with both a saw and a diamond coated file as well as all the other goodies. So then I just kept an eye on ebay and scored one this week, well two actually, I have another on the way as backup 

Good work. My first EDC tool/knife was a Charge Ti. I downsized to a KF4 and found it worked out great. Since then I've tried to downsize again to a Squirt or slipjoint knife, but I always miss the real pliers too much, not to mention the real screwdrivers, file, etc.

[theonew]

Good work. My first EDC tool/knife was a Charge Ti. I downsized to a KF4 and found it worked out great. Since then I've tried to downsize again to a Squirt or slipjoint knife, but I always miss the real pliers too much, not to mention the real screwdrivers, file, etc.

  My friend, who owes me a favor, said he is going to give me his Charge TTI, which he doesn't use, when I see him next. While I'm sure I am going to love it, I just can't see myself carrying it around like I do the KF4. I can't think of any reason to remove the Squirt from my keychain, but yeah, it's definitely no Juice replacement 

[NeitherExtreme]

My friend, who owes me a favor, said he is going to give me his Charge TTI, which he doesn't use, when I see him next. While I'm sure I am going to love it, I just can't see myself carrying it around like I do the KF4. I can't think of any reason to remove the Squirt from my keychain, but yeah, it's definitely no Juice replacement 

Sound like a good deal to me. I found the Charge actually worked pretty well with the pocket clip, and I still carry it if I expect to need a "real" knife or do heavier work. It's a great tool too. But once I weaned myself off of feeling like I needed a one-hand-opening knife all the time, the KF4 became my first choice for EDC.

[genevabuck]

Good work. My first EDC tool/knife was a Charge Ti. I downsized to a KF4 and found it worked out great. Since then I've tried to downsize again to a Squirt or slipjoint knife, but I always miss the real pliers too much, not to mention the real screwdrivers, file, etc.

  My friend, who owes me a favor, said he is going to give me his Charge TTI, which he doesn't use, when I see him next. While I'm sure I am going to love it, I just can't see myself carrying it around like I do the KF4. I can't think of any reason to remove the Squirt from my keychain, but yeah, it's definitely no Juice replacement 

I guess it depends on what you are doing and your needs.  I have nearly every Leatherman that there is.  I carry my KF4 often.  I am a teacher and do little hard work now though.  If I was still in construction, or still in the Marine Corps, the Charge would be by far my choice over the KF4. 

[NeitherExtreme]

I guess it depends on what you are doing and your needs.  I have nearly every Leatherman that there is.  I carry my KF4 often.  I am a teacher and do little hard work now though.  If I was still in construction, or still in the Marine Corps, the Charge would be by far my choice over the KF4.

True, it all depends on the situation. Back when I worked construction I carried a Kick w/ clip, which was the right compliment to my regular tool belt back then.

[theonew]

Agreed.

I'm a computer consultant focusing primarily on software development. While I occasionally need to do some hardware maintenance it's not a regular thing. Frankly the Juice is even a bit of overkill for me, but since it carries so easily I'd rather have it and not need it 

[Cyclone82]

I just read this whole thread. I havent got one but I badly want to get 2 yellows and 2 grays. KF4 is the only Juice i really like tool wise. Such an awesome set of tools. LM PLEASE BRING IT BACK!!!!!

[Cyclone82]

Well i finally found 2 new yellow and 2 new gray KF4's and they arrived today. I am quiet happy with them. The yellow is not really yellow, its more of a light greeny colour. I think i am more impressed with the KF4 than i thought i was going to be. If you like the KF4 tool set then i would highly recommend it as the quality is very good. Ok yeah the awl could be pointier but im sure its not too hard to sharpen a little. Very tight plier head pivot which i like to see. Pity they cant make the PS4 and P4's tight like that. i think i will buy the orange juice what ever that is S4? just to test out its capabilities before ruin one of my KF4's, just so i know how much abuse they can take. Now i need to figure out how to use the diamond file. That is the fine side right?