Leatherman Juice S2 Opening Issue?

C

czechinthepipes

Joined
Dec 7, 2010
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Hey all, well for Christmas I was so excited to finally get a Leatherman Juice S2. But now after 3 days I am a bit disappointed. When I first unwrapped it and started playing around with it, opening any part of it was pretty tight. I especially had trouble with the flat blade screwdrivers, they were impossible to open unless I didn't mind putting so much force that they opened right into my fingers (I stuck myself at least 5 times, once caused quite a bit of blood).

So I thought, well it is new so it needs to break in, plus it may need to be cleaned and lubed. So I worked it quite a bit that day with little improvement (especially the screwdrivers). On Monday morning I cleaned it with my Break free and lubed it with some Rem oil. I then worked it quite a bit the rest of the day and today; everything is great except the flat bladed screwdrivers. There is little to no improvement and I am getting quite frustrated.

Should I just keep working it the next few days and see if it gets better? Should I lube it with something else or maybe soak it in warm soapy water? Or should I contact Leatherman? I never had this issue with my Leatherman Blast so I am a bit puzzled.

Has anyone else had this issue with the Juice S2? Or any of the other Juices?


Thank you all for any and all help, greatly appreciated.
 
czechinthepipes said:
Should I just keep working it the next few days and see if it gets better? Should I lube it with something else or maybe soak it in warm soapy water? Or should I contact Leatherman? I never had this issue with my Leatherman Blast so I am a bit puzzled.

Has anyone else had this issue with the Juice S2? Or any of the other Juices?


Thank you all for any and all help, greatly appreciated.
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My three Juice models, an S2 and two CS4s, started out somewhat stiff, but with "normal" handling and no special lubrication, they all broke in properly in a matter of days. On these, the flat screwdrivers remained somewhat tight, like yours, but not nail-breakers. Because of their placement, they had to be handled with care to avoid gouging knuckles. However, the extra stiffness helps keep them from folding during use, I believe. Much as I like Leatherman products, I must admit they are not as hand friendly as some of their competitors. In any case, I would advise working them a few more days. If no satisfaction, then consult Leatherman.
 
The flat drivers on mine are still quite stiff and I've had it almost a year. :eek: I think most all S2 models I've read about have that same issue.
 
Thank you for the replies. Sad though to hear you all having/had similar issues. It is a bit frustrating, once I can finally get them open they are really easy. Its just the getting them started that is still hard. I am guessing that it is a leverage and grip issue, must be what is causing such an issue.

I guess I may have to file them a bit and dull them some. I wouldn't mind how hard they are if I wouldn't keep cutting myself.

Should I bother contacting Leatherman and seeing what they say?
 
just like the others posters, I have found the flat heads a bit tough to open. Yours sounds even harder. Maybe since it's new you could exchange it?
 
I used my CS4 hard all weekend doing DIY stuff and tore up my fingers with the flat head screwdrivers several times. They just never seem to budge unless I pull hard enough and then they sort of snap open and bite me. They are frustrating!
 
My CS4 also had stiff flat heads, fortunately, all but the middle one is now pretty easy to get out. I used a few drops of 3in1 oil and a dull pencil to repeatedly open them (as to avoid any damage to my fingers and nails). It took a while, but now there are no problems, and even the middle stiff flat head is not that bad and can be opened without much fuss. Good luck.
 
If its not functioning the way you want it to, and you don't see any basis for concluding that it will improve, I think it would be worth sending it to Leatherman.
 
Thanks all for more opinions. I have talked to Leatherman and they told me that this is an "abnormal issue".
Well I have kept working it over and over, lubed it twice now and what little progress I was making is no longer continuing. The 2 that became easier are still hard to open and the one in the middle still won't budge. I have cut both my index fingers and both thumbs a total of 9 times now; I will not it isn't just me, my Dad and brother can't open them either.

Fortunately I still have the receipt and we actually bought this from leatherman so hopefully it will go smoothly.

If anyone has some suggestions or what not to try before I send it off (which probably wont be for a week or so once I contact leatherman and get all that return shipping info) I would great appreciate it.


_Edit: Also, don't most or all Leatherman's come with a pouch/sheath to carry on our belt? I ask because my Juice didn't come with one which I thought was weird since my Blast did. Plus I noticed on a few youtube videos I watched they had one with theirs.

_Czech
 
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On my Juice S2 the tools inside were a bit hard to open too, but after a while they will be easier to open. Mine is over two years old now and tools open smoothly.
 
My Juice S2 has some pretty snappy flat screwdrivers. The largest one has the hardest snap and the medium is next. The fine one seems pretty normal to me. Opening and closing those 2 are a real chore. Add the sharp edges on the tip and I can see where you might get nicked or cut from them. On mine the largest flat screwdriver blade is the worst. It is pretty hard to open and when I close it you better keep your goodies out of the way as it snaps shut almost all the way closed.
 
czechinthepipes said:
_Edit: Also, don't most or all Leatherman's come with a pouch/sheath to carry on our belt? I ask because my Juice didn't come with one which I thought was weird since my Blast did. Plus I noticed on a few youtube videos I watched they had one with theirs.

_Czech
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Although some Juices come packaged with a pouch, most are not. The one made for them, however, is a clip-on, which I think of really as a fall-off. Instead, I use a Vic nylon pouch, which works just fine, or pocket carry the thing.
 
I've not tried those pouches for the Juice series yet, but the S2 fits perfectly in the coin pocket of my jeans.
 
I paid extra to get a pouch with mine thinking I would use it all the time. Well turns out the pouch actually gets in my way so I just loosely carry in my pocket. :thumbup:
 
I returned a S2 to REI because the tools were too stiff to open. I also brought back a surge for the same reason. Bought a Wave and it was perfect.
 
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