Have you ever carried a smaller multitool that couldn't do the job?

I

iamerror

Joined
Nov 26, 2005
Messages
82
I am wondering if anyone has carried a multitool like a Leatherman Juice, or something smaller and not been able to do something that a larger multitool could, such as with the pliers.. or have a tool that was missing. I don't think I would want to carry a large multitool. For the most part, I would only use a multitool for light use. What about you?
 
I love my Leatherman Wave, but I have to admit it doesn't get carried very much any more since I discovered the Juice Pro. It seems to do everything the Wave will do, but is small enough to be carried in the watch pocket of my jeans.
 
I carry a Juice CS4 and I have found that it handles a variety of jobs very well. While there are stronger and bigger tools I've learned that if I cannot do it with my CS4 I should probably grab the actual tool needed rather than my Wave (or some other multitool).
 
houdini28 said:
I carry a Juice CS4 and I have found that it handles a variety of jobs very well. While there are stronger and bigger tools I've learned that if I cannot do it with my CS4 I should probably grab the actual tool needed rather than my Wave (or some other multitool).
Click to expand...

Over time, my EDC has evolved to a Core when working or when there is a fair possibility of needing a tool. For just bopping around, a Juice CS4 suspended by a dummy cord into my pocket does the honors. Previously, a PST was my lightweight multi-tool EDC, but a CS4 came along at a Target clearance sale, so who am I to refuse? ;)

Although the Juice weighs 1/2 oz more, it is shorter and thicker than the PST. I find it easy to carry comfortably. Although the PST pliers are stronger, the CS4 has been mostly okay. Occasionally, I come across something the CS4 can't handle that maybe the PST could, but in those situations, what is philosophy for, anyway? OTOH, the CS4 is equipped with a saw, scissors and corkscrew, all of which work very well and have successfully tackled larger jobs than I would have imagined. Sometimes I miss the file, though.

IMHO, I think the Juice is a good choice for casual EDC, which is most of my use for one these days. Just don't expect it to completely take the place of a larger multi-tool.

BTW, while I am a big fan of Victorinox products, at this time I see nothing in the Vic or any other line that is equivalent to the Juice.
 
I like the sebertech M4, but unfortunately I have found the small pliers diffficult, even painful, to use. I once tried it by tightening the nut on my car battery terminal - I recall it worked to a degree, but it also slightly rounded the nut, and was painful to use after a while. Also the small knife would close with slight pressure despite being in the locked position. Neat concept, though:
sbt_m4g.jpg
 
I have a Leatherman Juice CS4, but its pliers are not as beefy as even my old Leatherman PST and I don't carry the CS4 mainly for that reason.
 
...as a Juice or Micra. I carry a Swiss-Tech Microtechnician on my keychain. It has never failed but some jobs would have certainly been easier with a larger tool. "A man has got to know his limitations."
 
I have a Leatherman Squirt P4. I really like the pliers on this thing. Unfortunately, for me the rest of the tools vary in usefulness from "next to useless" to "downright useless". They are just too small. If I were King at Leatherman they would make this without other tools; it would be lighter and more air travel friendly this way. I usually carry a small SAK (Alox Bantam or Cadet) anyway and would not miss the other tools on the Squirt at all.
 
I have (and carry) a S2. I also have a KF4. They are both light enough to carry, and have been tough enough for anything I'm likely to do. I've never felt under tooled.
 
The stubby driver bits on the LM Surge let me down several times during the brief time I owned it. I kept having to go get another multi tool or screwdriver, all the while listening to my wife say "gee, it's a good thing you bought that fancy new tool!"

No problems with the Spirit except that the plier jaws wouldn't open wide enough to replace a shower head (time to get the channel locks).
 
Foilist said:
The stubby driver bits on the LM Surge let me down several times during the brief time I owned it. I kept having to go get another multi tool or screwdriver, all the while listening to my wife say "gee, it's a good thing you bought that fancy new tool!"

No problems with the Spirit except that the plier jaws wouldn't open wide enough to replace a shower head (time to get the channel locks).
Click to expand...

I had the same driver bit problem with a Charge and plier opening width on a Swisstool. Both were solved by using a Core instead. :p
 
Based on a bit of painfull experience, I prefer multitools where all the implements lock open. Not a feature you usually find on the smaller multitools.
 
you had to press the lock on something hard and press down with a lot of force to unlock it. I gave it away.:thumbdn:
 
Docwaters said:
you had to press the lock on something hard and press down with a lot of force to unlock it. I gave it away.:thumbdn:
Click to expand...

Or partially open one of the other implements to disengage the global lock. Which is what the instructions advises.

My problem with the lock is that they allow way too much slop in the implement they're supposed to lock.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top