If you’re anything like me, you see the need to carry more than just a sharp blade on your person at all times.  There are times when you need to grip something, cute wire or turn a screw.  That’s where a multitool comes into play.  Lately, my multi-tool of choice has been the Leatherman Juice S2.

Leatherman Juice S2 General Description

The Leatherman Juice S2 is a fairly small multitool, measuring in at 3.25in in length when closed.  Also, it only weighs about 4.4oz.  The tool package in this multitool consists of needlenose pliers, regular pliers, wire cutter, hard-wire cutter, knife, scissors, three (3) flat-blade screwdrivers (extra-small, small and medium size), phillips head screwdriver, bottle opener, can opener and a lanyard ring.  According to the Leatherman website, it’s available in Flame Orange and Storm Gray and retails between $40 and $45 online.  The blade is made of 420HC steel which is strong enough for a multitool.  Remember, this blade isn’t your primary EDC blade, right?

The Pros

I’m going to be right up front about it – there’s lots to like about this little guy.  First, let talk about size.  At about 3.25in long (closed) and about 4.4oz, this little guy fits nicely into your pocket.  In fact, it fits perfectly into the watch pocket in your jeans (that little pocket in your right hip pocket that no one knows what to do with).  I’m not exaggerating when I say that the Juice S2 fits into this pocket better than any sheath you could buy.

The second feature I really like about this multitool is the fact that the knife can be used without opening the tool.  Many of the multitools I’ve owned in the past (and most of them were from Leatherman) required you to open the ‘plier handles’ part of the tool in order to access the blade.  Not with this little guy!

All the tools are sturdy and strong.  I’ve used all the screwdrivers as well as the scissors and pliers.  All of them worked well and I haver felt like the tool was going to break or slip.

As you can see in the pictures, I picked up the orange version of the Juice S2.  Truth be told, I didn’t realize they made a gray version until after I bought it.  Had I known that, I would have probably picked that color (I don’t like to stand out this much).  That being said, I really like this color for a few reasons.  First, it’s easy to identify your tool when it’s on a table or with a group of other items. Honestly, how many bright orange tools do you have?  And, moreover, how many bright orange tools do other people have?  Secondly, there’s a lot less weird looks when you break out a bright orange tool that has a knife on it.  The fact that it’s not “tacticool” looking helps out a lot in day to day life – especially when you’re an office dweller like I am.

The Cons

Nothing is perfect and the Leatherman Juice S2 is no exception.  There are things about it that I don’t like, but not many.

First on the list is the fact that there is no spring load on the pliers.  Most multitools that I have owned have a spring load on the pliers that force the pliers into an open position when not in use.  This feature is particular useful when you’re working a nut and are turning then opening your pliers repeatedly.  With the Juice S2, you have move your fingers inside the pliers and open it when you’re ready to reposition your tool.  This movement isn’t a huge inconvenience, but it does take some getting used to.  I would prefer a spring in the handle that would separate the pliers if possible.

Second on the hit list is the grip.  I have two problems with it.  First is the finish. The aluminum seems to be anodized and is already showing signs of wear.  Not a big deal – it is a tool after all.  That being said, I’ve only carried this tool for a few months and expect a little more wear and tear durability than that.  The second problem with the anodized handles is the texture.  There are no grooves or texture machined into the handles.  The smooth nature of the finish makes the tool not always feel stable in your hands.  I’ve had a few occurrences where wet or oily hands have made the tool seems like it might slip out of my hands.  This feeling is the exact opposite of the handle on the Spyderco Endura 4 FFG which I recently reviewed.

Overall Impression

While it does have a few downsides, I highly recommend the Leatherman Juice S2.  Its small size and quality construction in conjunction with its accessible design far outweigh the minor drawbacks that it has.  I have used this multi-tool for a variety of different uses both around the office, at the office and in the garage with great success.

I highly recommend the Leatherman Juice S2 if you’re looking for a good quality, inexpensive pocketknife.  You can find one for between $40 and $45 on Amazon.com.

Are you a Leatherman Juice S2 user?  Do you want more information on this great little tool?  Give me a shout in the comments below and I’ll be sure to respond!

Dan

Founder/Owner at Suburban Steader

I am a middle-age guy with a wife, two young kids and a crazy dog. We live on Long Island, NY and had an interesting experience with Hurricane Sandy. That experience led me towards the self-sufficiency movement and eventually led to the founding of SuburbanSteader.com. I aim to provide suburbanites with the confidence and know-how to become more self-reliant by providing content on topics such as gardening, personal health, financial responsibility, cooking, self-preparedness and self-protection.