A step up from the Juice S2

[Luftwaffe]

I have the Juice S2 but I want something bigger for edc. I dont want something like the Wave because I tried carry in pocket and its just to heavy. Im not into carry sheaths, so I would want something to carry in my pocket. Any suggestions? Also if i get the clip for the Wave would it feel lighter, rather than laying in the pocket

 

[Brian.Evans]

Interested to see what everyone suggests. I got nutin'.

 

[allyourblood]

I've got a pocket clip on my Wave; it's okay. The clip does relieve some of the feel of the stone-like weight, and rids a bit of the saggy feeling from bottom-of-the-pocket carry. It also aids in removing the Wave from my pocket vs. having it sink to the bottom and force me to dig around to retrieve it. I still don't like the Wave for pocket carry, though. It's just as bulky and chunky as before but once clipped it's easier to grab at a moment's notice. I don't like that, even clipped, the Wave completely dominates my pocket and prevents me from carrying anything at the bottom as it's too difficult to reach beyond with more than one or two fingers. However, I do find the pocket clip incredibly convenient for keeping the Wave clipped to one of the outside pockets of my LAPG bag and that's the only way I carry the tool anymore.

I'd love to recommend the Skeletool/CX as an alternative, but whether you like it or not will depend entirely on if you can get along with its limited fixed tool set. The bit driver is really great on a tool of its size and weight and if you can narrow your driver needs down to just two double-ended bits it carries much lighter and slimmer than the Wave. I love the Skeletool and carry it off and on throughout the week. The clip is thin and long so the Skeletool rides pretty deeply in my pockets. I keep mine on the outside edge in my rear left pocket, opposite my wallet, and often add a smaller multitool at the bottom (like a Squirt P4). I barely notice the combo throughout the day and I can sit with the Skeletool clipped and it never gets in the way or snags on anything. The carabiner clip also allows you to clip it to just about anything, including a belt loop or backpack.

But again, it's got a limited fixed tool set: pliers (with the requisite wire cutters, strippers, blah blah blah), knife blade, bottle opener and bit driver and... that's it. If you're willing to carry Leatherman's bit kit along with it, you're adding a lot of utility, but for me it's asking too much. If you need a file, saw, awl, or corkscrew, the Skeletool is out of the question.

If the Skeletool doesn't work for you, I recommend my personal favorite Leatherman of all time: the SideClip. This one doesn't get mentioned much, but it's great. Minus the scissors, it's quite similar in its tool set to the Juice S2, but it's bigger, longer, and feels much more robust. It's essentially an evolved version of the original PST with a wonderful pocket clip. It's light and quite slim and doesn't take up much more space than a medium-large pocket knife. When I'm not carrying the Skeletool, I've got the SideClip with me. It still lacks the saw, file, serrated blade, and scissors from the Wave, but it's built tough like all of the old school Leatherman tools and is super-comfortable to carry. The downside is that it's long-discontinued so you'll have to hit the secondary market to find one. Luckily, they're fairly plentiful and the price is generally reasonable, as of late.

Here's some photos of the SideClip alongside my S2 for comparison. Sorry for the hideous quality and flash!

Finally, you might try the Kick (optional pocket clip) or Wingman (built-in), but I have no experience with either model. They just seem like they might also fill the same role while offering clipped pocket carry.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I prefer the Skeletool myself. Before Leatherman, I carried a 5" Vise-grip and and offset screwdriver, Philips and flathead. The Skeletool gives me that toolkit again, plus the knife blade. It is practically weightless, I've carried it comfortably in a shirt or jacket pocket.

If you really want a Wave without the brick-like mass, go to http://www.leatherman.com/compare/ and match the Wave against the Blast. For example

Blast 6.9 oz
Wave 8.5 oz

 

[Luftwaffe]

Thank you so much for the great detail and the pictures!!! I'm def going to check out the side clip and the skeletool, thanks again!!

 

[allyourblood]

Thank you so much for the great detail and the pictures!!! I'm def going to check out the side clip and the skeletool, thanks again!!

Glad to help. Good luck! Let us know if you ever narrow it down and make a purchase. :thumbup: