Pocketable tool

[Sorridsky]

I did a post but it doesnt seem to have showed up,
So I'll write another just hope we dont get two threads going!
Well Im looking for a multitool. I was going to purchase a leatherman wave, but with summer just around the corner, I am thinking smaller, as I dont want my shorts falling down.
It will be my only multi tool, So I want somthing big enough to get enough grip and pressure to accomplish most tasks. I was thinking about the Leatherman Juice XE6, I cant find any comprehensive reviews on it thus far.
seems reasonable size for my pocket, as has all the things i need. or is there a cheaper better option?

Also I am thinking about getting a Spyderco Delica, Max legal blade length for carry in the UK is 3", is this the best knife in price/length?
I was thinking about a ken onion chive or leek aswell, But I'm a bit iffy on the assited opening, and whether the police will take a dim view.
thanks for any info!

 

[bigcozy]

Go over to bladeforums.com and go to Gadgets and Gear and you should dig up lots on the Juice. Do a search here, I did recently and you will find a LOT Of info in the knive/multi tool forum. Don't think you can wrong with it. I carry a Leatherman Super Tool and carried a Gerber multi tool for 5 years, and they are too heavy to carry all the time. For EDC, I am going to put a Leatherman Squirt with pliers on my lanyard with the Arc AAA and Spyderco Co-Pilot I carry everywhere. It is a classic case, of weight and size versus use, you never have what you need exactly, but what you need is too heavy or big to carry. I don't think you will have any problems with the Juice, if the size works for you I expect it would last you a long, long time. As for the Spyderco, people will probably list a dozen knives they like better. I carried a Spyderco Endura Zytel for nearly 10 years, and it could not have performed better. Zytel is underrated because it is cheaper, but it lighter and it a lot tougher than given credit for. For the money and weight, I don't think there is a better knife, just a lot of choices. My theory is the high dollar stuff stays at home when I think I may have to use something. So spyderco/BM/CRKT's get used while the Sebenza and Microtechs sit in a drawer.

 

[Peter Atwood]

The Gerber Sport 400 plier is my favorite of the multitools. I rejected the Juice because the handles are at an angle that is very difficult to hold when fully open. The tiny Leatherman P4 is very nice though and I heartily recommend it. You would be surprised at what you can do with that tiny pair of pliers.

 

[Sigman]

For the size you are talking about and the tools that you want, I agree with your choice of the Leatherman Juice XE6. I've scored some great deals from eBay on my multitools!

 

[lemlux]

I liked the functionality of the Juice XE6, but find it a little thick and heavy for pocket carry -- I don't think it is meaningfully lighter than a Wave at 6.8 oz vs. 8 oz -- only 15% lighter. I didn't buy one in part because I was able to get both a 5.5 oz Juice KF4 and a 5.5 oz Juice CS4 for a little over $30 each when XE6's were going for almost double the amount. The carry decision is usually: "do I want to have serrated second knife and a file more than I want a scissors and a corkscrew." The KF4 usually wins on outdoor days and the CS4 wins on indoor days.

If I don't want to sacrifice any functionality, I carry the Wave (EBAY low $50's) which is usually in my briefcase along with a Gerber Legend 800 ($64 at a vendor I forget) with and the accessory driver kits for each plus replacement jigsaw blades for the Gerber. BTW, I measure the Wave blades at 2 15/16" not counting the round pivot section.


I usually only use the Gerber 800 for the spring-loaded pliers or the versatile saw. The lock release levers are hard to activate without damaging fingernails unless I use a coin or a key.

The glove box of one car has a Supertool and the other has a Super Tool 200. These very respectable, larger tools sell below $30 on EBAY.

 

[gyverpete]

The Juice tools are some of the smaller ones. I was looking for a pocketable tool since my Swisstool, though really good, is too big and unjustified for my EDC. So I bought the Kf4. It's 3 1/4" X 1 1/2" X 5/8" It has regular and serrated sheepsfoot blade, 3 reg. screwdrivers, 1 phillips, wood saw, awl. The needle nose is very narrow, and has reg. and hard wire-cutting edges. The tools don't lock but have a strong detent.
To keep it from settling in the bottom of my pocket, I hang it from a belt key clip on piece of paracord, so it hangs just inside the top of my jeans pocket, and is not even noticeable. And clipped directly to the clip I carry the micra. I don't use the tool very often so unclipping the lanyard has not become inconvenient.
With shorts, a longer lanyard might be necessary since those pockets are lower.

For all the KF4 tools, plus scissors, can/bottle opener, and corkscrew get the Xe6. It is thicker but still small and pocketable. I would have gotten the Xe6 myself, but the Kf4 was on sale at Target for $27. Couldn't pass it up.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif

 

[Sorridsky]

thankyou for all your replies.
Oh if only you could customise a multitool to your needs!
The Xe6 has everyhting i need, and some things i dont.
I could make do with the KF4 and carry a seperate bottle and can opener, and corkscrew.
I'll just see what kind price difference goes between them.
Cheers again!

 

[Patrick Hayes]

You can customize the SOG tools. They go together with a standard hex bolt. Sog will sell you individual tools or spacers. You can add subtract and rearrange to your hearts content. I have two a powerlock and a powerpliar. They are both great tools.
Patrick Hayes

 

[Dave Wright]

I've gone through this search over the past couple of years. At first I figured that a good nonmultitool knife would fill most needs and be lighter/better at the most used function - cutting. I started small (Chive) and found that small can be too small. Along the way I went big (BM 750) and found that it drew too many concerned comments and didn't hold an edge all that well anyway. The knives that consistently found their way into my pockets were 2 Opinel Effile Slimlines - the favorite being 8" Bubinga handle. It fits well in the hand, is visually acceptable almost anywhere, cuts with less pressure than any other knife I own, sharpens easily, and hold the edge surprisingly well.

I finally fessed up that I really needed more than just a blade in my pocket. After more searching I ended up with my current pair: Leatherman Juice S2 and Squirt P4. The S2 is the lightest, simplest, and least expensive Juice. It smooth shape and light weight (slightly over 4 ounces) make it fit comfortably in most of my pant pockets. It has real functional tools - what I need but nothing extra.

I go with the Squirt in many business settings, when I'm wearing very light weight pants, and when I'll be making hip contact with people (contra dancing). It is surprisingly capable, considering its size. Sometimes you have to be a little more patient and inventive to do the job with it than with the Juice.

Best of Luck

 

[Monsters_Inc]

I've got an imitation Juice that's on again off again EDC. While the pliers, blade and can opener are quite capable, I've found that using the philips screwdrivers to be quite an exercise in finger contortion.

Overall, while it's a good unobtrusive size, I still find my SAK Climber better suited for EDC purposes, even though I dare not use the main blade for fear of snapping it.

 

[UnknownVT]

I\'m biassed, so.....Re: Pocketable tool

you might not want to take my view too seriously. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I love knives, and since young always wanted to carry one.

I had never desired to carry a pair of pliers - ever -
that is until the advent of the multi-tool.

I also now own a number of them - including Leatherman Super Tool, Victorinox SwissTool, the smaller Gerber Compact Sports tool, and a couple of cheapies from Wal*Mart.

In terms of sheer quality I like the Victorinox SwissTool the best - but it is big and heavy - the pliers are not needle nosed - and it is much more of a pair of pliers, to me, than a knife.....

The Gerber Compact Sports is nice sized, but the way the handle is designed causes operational problems. If one were to squeeze hard on the pliers - the handles distort and affect the opening/closing of the jaws. That's terrible for a pair of pliers.......

The Leatherman Super Tool is simply crude - the handles to operate the pliers face the wrong way so the thin edges cut into the hand.... opening the tools - multiple tools move/open to extract one - as I said very crude -
but there are plenty of people who swear by these.......
I also swear AT these - a lot /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I actually like the pliers on the Victorinox SAKs (Swiss Army Knives) - they are a lot tougher than they seem to appear - they are about the right sized for most of the thing I use pliers for away from home......

The SAKs - depending on the model chosen ride very well in the pocket - they have very useful tools - numerous models that one can almost tailor for one's needs. The SAK is literally synonomous with quality and are a benchmark that others are judged by.......

Best of all they are really good value for money - eg: the Victorinox SwissChamp with 33 functions can be had for as low as $39! if one shops around.....

Victorinox SwissChamp

Of course I find either of these "big" flagship models a bit too big for easy pocket carry - but it is simple and enjoyable to pick the "best" suited model for yourself...

But I think for me it boils down to whether your are a "Knife" person or "pliers" person.......

Please take a look at my LONG review comparing the Victorinox SwissChamp to the Wenger ToolChest Plus:

SAKs - Victorinox or Wenger

 

[Lurker]

Regarding your question about the Delica for the UK, if I am not mistaken, I believe all locking blades are illegal there. Spyderco makes a non-locking similar knife called the Pride (I think that's the name).

I have a Juice S2 and other multi-tools. The big Juice you are asking about is too thick for comfortable pocket carry in my opinion. Better is the Leatherman PST2, much slimmer and very capable. Not sure if blade length goes over 3". You may want to check that on any multi-tool you consider.

 

[Sorridsky]

I'm still unsure on the locking blade law,
I cant find any mention of it?

it doesnt mention it here:
http://www.bkcg.co.uk/guide/law.html

 

[Lurker]

Regarding the legality of carrying locking blades in the UK-- I am not qualified to give legal advice and I do not live in the UK, nor can I cite a specific law to support the information I posted.

I did some research about a year ago regarding different knife laws in different parts of the US and other countries that I might conceivably travel to. My notes indicate that carrying (not just owning, but carrying in public) locking blade knives is not the thing to do in the UK. I got this notion on Bladeforums.com in the "knife laws" forum reading threads such as this one:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=153209&highlight=England

It may have been based on unreliable or outdated information. I cannot say for sure. However I found it credible at the time and I also reviewed your link above and I am not completely disuaded from my original opinion, given the source.

You will obviously make your own decision, and it may be based on more than just what is legal, but if it were me, I think I would be inclined to ask around about it (cop, prosecutor, or lawyer / barrister, etc). It sounds like the law is somewhat vague and the details of enforcement may vary depending on current public opinion or just the individual cop enforcing it. Good luck with your decision.

 

[DieselDave]

There are so many good choices for different applications. I have EDC'ed a SwissTool for 2 years. I am sure my leg strength and cardiovascular endurance has improved due to it's weight. I tried the Gerbers and Leathermans first and nearly stayed with the Wave. I am done with any multi-tool where the blades or tools don't lock out. I use mine for everything from prying out staples from particle-board (I did that Sunday on about 100 staples and really boogered up my serrated blade, wrong tool for the job but it worked) I use it as a hammer and anything else I can make it work for. I could live with the Wave but for really working that's about as small a tool as I could handle. However, I gave my Dad the Wave and he says he doesn't need anything that big so it just sits in his briefcase and he carries a Victorinox Knife with a couple of tools. It all depends on what you need it for. I would love the to carry something smaller but my legs are looking so good from carrying my Swisstool and I can also use it for my biceps and triceps workout. I am up to 4 sets of 5 reps!

I say, buy a large and a mini.

 

[Sorridsky]

well,
My new job is on the rocks at the moment So I've refrained from making any buys at the moment.
However thinking about it.
I really do need the bottle opener and cork screw,
But I've decided to just buy a wee SAK to put in my bag, for when the urge to picnic springs upon me /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
however regarding the UK knife laws, The quality of my multi tool knife blades (needs Plain, and serrated/rescue type blade) has become of upmost importance. One handed opening with a stiff indent, and over all quality and strength matter most.
Although locking knifes are illegal, multitools that hold the blade open are ok i belive? I have heard mention of some that "lock" by closing the handles around the blade?
Is there a better alternative to the juice in this respect but of simelar proportion?

Also there would be the possibilty of filling my pockets further with a regular folding knife if the smaller multi tools dont have the qualitys i require.
Friction folders seem a good choice compared to a slip joint.
I was looking at the Greco Scaple, but this is expensive and not easyily obtainable.
Does anyone know of a knife like that one?
thankyou!