Leatherman juice choice

[jfn]

I'm really jonesing for a juice, and I've narrowed it down to either the Cs4 and the Xe8.

As I see it the Xe8 has what the Cs4 does plus a sheepsfoot serrated blade and a metal/wood file. But that comes at the cost of 2 more ounces and extra thickness.

I could do without the serrated blade, but the file is useful.
Anyone have any opinions on whether the file is worth the additional bulk?

 

[Sep]

The Juice Xe6 is 6.8 oz and in my opinion quite hefty for its complement of tools. If I'm willing to lug that much weight in one multitool, I might as well carry a Victorinox Swisstool Spririt at 7.4 oz. Just for an extra 0.6 oz I'm getting full size pliers and locking tools instead of the Xe6 half size pliers and slipjoints.

 

[rororo64]

IMHO id say if you really want a Juice, go with the S2 and get a Charge or a Wave if you want extra features... I really like carrying around the S2 rather than the Xe6 because its lighter and I don't use most of the tools on the Xe6... If I need the tool I use my Wave that I keep in my car or the Charge I keep in my house

 

[Harayasu]

To me a serrated blade seems more useful than a file. I can't remember the last time I used a file, but a serrated blade is useful for cutting rope, cardboard and such. It can also function as a rescue blade, it cuts belts well.

 

[nothinghappenedtoday]

The file is VERY useful. Leatherman's diamond file is great for sharpening other knives/axes/machetes, etc.

The serrated blade I use for stuff that would mess up the plain-edge blade (boxes that have staples, wire, etc)

The XE6 is pretty thick and heavy, but I found that suspending it onto your pocket from a carabineer or small chain gets rid of the weight.

Also, I think I've ranted about this before, but locking tools and blades aren't the end-all-be-all. Just be careful, and you'll never need a locking knife.

 

[powernoodle]

The XE6 is the smallest, lightest multi-tool that has the full complement of tools from scissors to file to awl. Its only 3.25" tall (i.e., tiny on the belt), and is smaller and weighs less than all of the mid-size or large tools.

I love the Swisstool Spirit, for example, but its larger and heavier than the XE6. So is the Charge, which does not have the XE6's awl or 3 dimensional phillips.

So for me, the XE6 is the standard for being both "small" and still having all of the tools.

As for the picking among the Juice lineup, I see no reason not to go with the XE6 for belt carry. If you are going for pocket carry, then one of the slightly smaller and lighter Juices might be in order.

 

[znapschatz]

I love the Swisstool Spirit, for example, but its larger and heavier than the XE6. So is the Charge, which does not have the XE6's awl or 3 dimensional phillips.

My Charge has a "3 dimensional" phillips in the bit holder, if I understand the term correctly. Two of the blades are a little short, but I think the bit would still qualify. It seems to work as well as a dedicated ph driver, at least in my experience.

The awl is another matter. For the Charge I have a highly functional awl mod fitting the pocket clip/lanyard ring locking slot, but I'm undecided about what to do with the dull thing on my new CS4. When sharpened, as I did to one on another CS4, it does well as an awl, but when left original, it makes a good probe for things that I can't or don't want to touch with my hands, and a scraper to get gunk out of boot treads and the like. I will probably get around to sharping it up someday, but meanwhile I have found good uses for it as is.