Recommendation? - Plier tool with Scissors?

[pinnah]

Hey folks, I need your advice on alternatives for a plier tool that has scissors.

The tool will primarily be stashed in the 1st aid kit in my backpacking/hiking/ski touring supplies. The 1st aid kit is in every pack I carry in the woods. The tool will occasionally be pocket (not sheath, pocket) carried on chore days working around the house and property.

I'm currently looking closely at the Leatherman Juice S2 and am looking for alternatives from other manufacturers that are roughly in this size range. I definitely would like to find something lighter than the S2. I just don't follow the mulit-tool selection closely so am seeking your collective advice.

In terms of background, I have a Leatherman Squirt PS4 that I carry in my PDA case as a back up to my EDC knife. It's a bit too small for what I'm looking for.

I also have a Leatherman Wave that sits entirely unused. It's just too big and bulky to pocket carry and holster carry is just flat out not acceptable to me.

The S2's tool selection is spot on for me. I'm just looking for something a tick lighter, if at all possible. Here are my must haves and deal breakers...

MUST HAVES: pliers, folding scissors, cap lifter (it comes in pints?!), standard & phillips head screw driver.

DEAL BREAKERS: weight, carrying clips

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

 

[Buffalohump]

I doubt you'll find lighter than that, its made of aluminium is it not? I can recommend the Leatherman Pulse, for a small size MT with scissors, although you will have to find a used one as they are not made any more.

 

[quattromori]

I have never seen one in person, so I don't have any feedback to give...but lately I was browsing Buckìs website and I discovered the X-tract Fin. It might be worth a look:

Or, the Vic Deluxe Tinker.

 

[Smaug]

Victorinox CyberTool 34 or Deluxe Tinker are worth considering. All tools are easily accessible, not just the knife and scissors, as on the S2. The CyberTool also has that awesome bit driver, though it is a bit on the heavy side for pocket carry.

I have an S2, and while I like it, the pliers are not as beefy as I'd expected from the photos, because they're not full thickness. In reality, they're only marginally stronger than this of a SAK. The screwdrivers are a bear to get out as well. It is thin for its tool set, but not light. It's much heavier than a SAK of equivalent size, for example.

Get a S2 and a Deluxe Tinker, and return the one you like least.

 

[znapschatz]

I have an S2, and while I like it, the pliers are not as beefy as I'd expected from the photos, because they're not full thickness. In reality, they're only marginally stronger than this of a SAK. The screwdrivers are a bear to get out as well. It is thin for its tool set, but not light. It's much heavier than a SAK of equivalent size, for example.

Get a S2 and a Deluxe Tinker, and return the one you like least.

Deluxe Tinker is not a bad choice, but I disagree about the S2 pliers being only marginally stronger than the Vic's. After years of experience with both, I can testify that although the Vic mini-pliers have at times performed even better than expected, too often my plier needs were just beyond their capability but could have been easily handled by the Juice.

There is no weight savings, both ST and S2 weigh the same. For me, the felt weight of either is minimal, especially when carried by belt pouch, but 4.4 oz. should be light enough for any pocket.

 

[holygoat]

I find the S2's pliers much better than the Vic's, because they're larger. The Vic's are useful for positioning screws etc. and as "fat tweezers" or "metal fingers", but no use at all for plier tasks.

Pretty sure my S2 is lighter than my CyberTool, too.

If the PS4 is too small, I don't think you're going to get lighter than the S2 without seriously compromising on something. There's a limit to how much you can reduce density

And if it's 80% pack time, 20% pocket time, the S2 is probably going to be fine if you aren't wearing dress pants. The PS4 is a keychain tool. I carry an S2 in the left pocket of my jeans and don't even know it's there.

Have you considered carrying a small pair of pliers and a super-thin SAK? If it's mostly going to live in a bag, you can do that.

 

[BoxANT]

First off, love the Willow reference

But it sounds like you're looking for an S2, but lighter. That's a tough order as the S2 (for it's function) is pretty darn small. Yes, there are smaller tools with pliers, but I would wager they're not as functional. When I need to carry a tool with pliers, the Juice finds my pocket.

 

[Mud Shrimp Moe]

While I love multi-tools, I think for a backpack, the best option would be a set of pliers in the pack, and then a Vic Climber for the scissors/knife combo. If the S2 is too heavy for you and the PS4 is too small, then pretty much any tool with built in pliers is either going to be too light duty (i.e. Vic Deluxe Tinker) or too heavy (S2 ... maybe even Deluxe Tinker).

Just carry a good multi with scissors and keep some pliers in your kit.

 

[Humppa]

Well the regular sized Swisstool has scissors if you want to. But then there is no serrated blade. It´s a pretty bulky and heavy tool. But for a first aid kit perfectly.

The bottom one is the Swisstool CS (that´s the description I think )

I use that one on my building lot belt with a nail pouch and an extra ring for the hammer to put in. Great heavy-duty-tool!

Kind regards
Andi