Leatherman Juice at rei.com

E

Eric S

Joined
Sep 19, 1999
Messages
33
I just saw that rei.com has the entire Leatherman Juice line availible. Knifecenter.com has the Leatherman Supertool 200 for about $55.
 
Sad, as I thought the Juice would be the perfect thing to take on the plane with me to Scotland this December.... :(

Still want one though. Thanks for the heads-up!
 
After talking directly to Leatherman via email I am not sure if REI or anyone else has them quite yet, but it should be soon. For some odd reason Leatherman said its first shipments went to Canada - go figure.
 
Here it is Tuesday, Sept.18th, and I have received all five models from rei.com today. They are very cool and were worth the wait. Maybe REI got them earlier because they are based in Seattle,WA near Portland,OR the home of Leatherman.
 
Like I said - no one has them yet:D

For those who have received them already, any further impressions of them compared to Swiss Army knives or other Leatherman tools as far as size and finish and such.

Many thanks,

Bucky
 
Having now had time to play with and examine the new Juice models closely, I have to sya that they were worth the wait. Their size is similar to the medium sized Victorinox SAKs, about 3.25 inches long and they are rounded somewhat lengthwise, good for pocket carry, although they are slightly more heavy than similar sized SAKs. The handles are under some spring tension and snap open, although the pliers itself is not spring loaded (ala Gerber Legend). The internal tools (Phillips head, three straight slots and a lanyard ring) are shorter than previous LM tool offerings, but the nail nicks are better designed, giving good access to the shorter tools (much better than most of the Gerber tools).Originally, I did not think I would like the colors, but they are actually kinda nice and different, although time will tell how well they hold up.

In short, these new, smaller tools will not replace the other tools in the Leatherman line(the best multitool company out there-my two cents), any more than the Micra does. They are simply designed for pocket carry and for that purpose I believe thay have hit the mark.

Amazon.com is taking preorders for the Juice line (at $40,$50 or $60, depending on the model) with the stated arrival (at Amazon or at the buyer?) of October 31, 2001.

I can't wait to see what Leatherman has in store for next year, they have not disappointed me yet, which is alot more than I can say for many other knife companies.
 
Thanks for all the great replys.

I was also wondering how the anodized finish of the Juice tools seems to hold-up to wear and tear. We all know how bad the finish on the Micra is. I carry one on my keys and the blue color has taken quite a beating. Hopefully improvements have been made for the Juice line.

Thanks again,

Bucky
 
The purple XE6 is about twice as thick as the orange S2, and probably about twice the weight. It feels a tiny bit heavier than the big SRK CyberTool. It's not uncomfortable for pocket carry though, in my opinion. When you open the Juice and look inside, you can see how they tried to keep the weight down by skeletonizing the internal dividers between the tools. One thing that is strange, however, although unrelated to the weight, is that the two halves of the tools are different thicknesses. On the XE6, the difference is very slight, but on the S2, the side with the scissors is about 1mm thicker than the side with the blade. At first I though it was a defect, but it's definitely part of the design.

As to the finish, the Micra seems to have some kind of paint-like coating on it that chips off easily. Anodizing is (I believe) a whole different process that is more like electroplating. I suspect that the color might wear off over time, but I don't think it will chip off. I won't be testing this theory anytime soon, however.
 
The large XE6 Thunder feels about the weight of the SAK Craftsman, not quite as heavy as a Swiss Champ and certainly not as bulky. The medium sized Juices are comparable to a SAK like the Explorer or Huntsman and the smallest Juices are similar to a Tinker.

So far, I have been carrying the XE6 in my left side front pocket by itself, but I think that, over time I will switch to the KF4 Solar along side my wallet in the right rear pocket along with my SAK Explorer.
 
I just received the CS4 Glacier and really like it. I have a question about the Thunder XE6. Does the awl cover the plain edge blade so that you have to lift it to get to the blade or is it on the other side? It's have to tell from the pictures.
 
So does the juice line have locking tools? i.e. does the Philips screwdriver lock in the out position or is it just a flip out thing. I have the pulse, but want something smaller & liter, but really like the locking feature. I really need pliers, normal Philips, normal & small flat blade. I was thinking the Juice C2, any opnions? Or should I just stick with the pulse?
 
Neither the tools nor the knife blade locks. I have the the Pulse as well and really like it. But I have used the CS4 for a couple of weeks on computers, wire, and to cut up fruit and haven't had a problem with the tools closing. The screwdrivers are offset like the ones on the Wave and as long as you press relatively straight won't close, the force helps keep them open. Also, the springs on the tools and knife are pretty strong. There is a small "hump" on the tang of the knife blade that seems to engage the spring and make it a little stronger than a typical slip joint. (A lot like the screwdriver/bottle opener on the new Victorinox Tinkers...)If I needed a tool for heavy use though, read car repair or survival, I'd probably stick with the Pulse. Or do what I do. Carry the Juice in your pocket and put a Pulse with tool adapter kit in your briefcase.
 
I just received my Juice S2 today. I went for the S2 not the C2 because I value the scissors far more than the corkscrew. I have the Super Tool, the PST II, and the Wave and now after playing with the S2 for a while, I think that I agree with what Gadgetman7 has said. If you want a pocket tool to actually carry in your pocket (like I do), as sort of a Swiss Army Knife replacement, then the Juice is definitely your tool. If you don't mind carrying a tool on your belt, then stick with the Pulse or Wave. Like Gadgetman7 said, if you need a heavy duty tool, then the Juice is not for you. If you use your tool for this and that and little repairs and would rather carry something in your pocket than on your belt, then pick your favorite juice model (although after handling all five models, let me tell you that the smaller models are significantly smaller and lighter than the larger models) and you won't be disappointed. The Juice line is very nice for what it is intended for.

As far as the implements not locking, this is true, but aside from them actually locking, I have found them to be extremely resistant to inadvertent closing. When the implements are fully open they "click" into place with some force and would be very hard to close unless you intend to. Absent an actual locking mechanism which would most certainly add additional weight and width hence defeating the main purpose of the smaller and lighter Juice line, I think the spring tension system used is great.

Hope this helps,

Bucky
 
Thanks guys. I think I will get the juice, maybe the sissors idea is a good one, I doubt I will really use a cork screw. I find I don't carry my pulse as much as I would like to due to the weight so hopefully this will do the trick.
 
Thanks for the link, Bucky!

I am leaning between the Glacier and the Flame. The Flame has all I need to compliment my Cybertool 29 but even as a born and raised Volunteer, I have never liked orange. May just have to get over that...
 
I just got my Flame S2, orange, and for the most part like it. Now I understand one side is thicker then the other, but if I set it on a flat table with the thicker side on the left the right is up off the table and the right side is taller then the thicker side. So it is basically offset from side to side. Is this normal, or did I get a funky unit?

I didn't think I would like the orange either, but it is a dull or drab orange, at least it isn't as bright as I thought it would be so it shouldn’t be a problem for me.
 
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