Juice CS4 Review
Now to clear the air, the Leatherman Juice is not a new product in their multi-tool line, but it did get a handsome face lift. When I was presented with the opportunity to get my hands on the newly redesigned Juice CS4 after Shot Show, I couldn't resist the temptation to finally add it to my EDC (every day carry) system.
For years now I have always carried Swiss Army models in the EDC role because of all of the tools that were offered in such a compact tool and didn't weigh my pockets down. I am a long-time Leatherman fan and I always bring my Super Tool 300 in the woods and trips with me for its superior capabilities. The only problem is, as much as I love my Super Tool, the sheer weight of the tool deters me from carrying it every day.
When my Juice CS4 was delivered, I was astonished by the stunning good looks that Leatherman is to their line while still allowing users to pick the color they so desire. Unlike the previous models that were one solid color, the newly refreshed model has one side of the tool in color and the other side in an elegant stone wash. My model featured the light blue offered in the CS4. The stone wash side can also be engraved or laser etched for personalization.
The Juice CS4 is one of the largest in the Juice line, but it also comes with the availability of having more tools, fifteen to be exact! The CS4 has a weight of 5.6 ounces and a closed length of 3.25″ making it ideal for everyday carry. Although I could write all day about all the different screw drivers, corkscrew, awl, and can opener, that would make for a lengthy review! Instead, I'll talk about the most common tools that I found myself using every day.
The first tool that gets the most use is the 420HC knife. The knife comes razor sharp out of the box; it is fully capable of opening everything from letter to packages. The knife has a thoughtful design with a drop point blade. A handy pair of scissors are included that aid in a variety of tasks. I found myself using the scissors to perform precision cutting and slicing that the knife cannot do with such ease. The scissors are also a great option when addressing first aid.
Another useful tool is the generous and extremely sharp saw. The saw not only can be used in the woods, but it can also zip through hard and pesky plastics that will ultimately dull your knife otherwise. The most obvious tool that receives a good amount of love and attention is the pliers. Pliers are a useful tool and have such a wide variety of uses that people find new uses for them every day. For whatever chore or task you find the need to use the plier/wire cutter combo, rest assured that you can get the job done.
The CS4 comes with an available lanyard hole that will also fold away depending on the users' preference. The user friendly size and weight made the CS4 a dream to carry. I mainly carried the CS4 in my pocket, but I also found that in a pair of Levi jeans, the CS4 made a perfect fit in the coin pocket. Whether attached to keys, a lanyard, or free ballin' it in your pocket, the CS4 is quickly and easily accessible do to its size and the most common tools are located on the outside of the multi-tool.
This Juice CS4 is a joy to EDC. I found that the addition of a good multi-tool in my EDC system makes for an easier life and aids in a variety of functions. I have, however, found a few minor faults to the tool. The first and biggest problem I see in this tool is the price. The previous model can be found on Amazon for around $55, but since the debut of this newly redesigned model, retail price starts at $87.
To me, this is an extremely hefty price to slap on this tool considering the large Super Tool 300 goes for around $60. My hope is that this tool will eventually make its way to a lower street price like the previous model. My other critique for the CS4 is that I wish the lanyard hole was big enough to accommodate 550 paracord (my lanyard of choice). Hopefully in the future the Juice line will also save on weight with the uses of modern light-weight components. Other than those minor flaws, I am thoroughly impressed with the CS4 and will continue to EDC it for a long time.
This is a great option if you are in the market for a capable multi-tool that is friendly to carry every day. Whether you throw it in your bag, backpack, or in your pocket, this beast will serve you for years to come. Rest assured that the Juice comes with Leatherman's comprehensive 25 year guarantee against most anything that doesn't fall under the abuse category. Proudly made in the USA, this is a product that you'll be happy to purchase!
Want to know more about survival knives? Check out these posts:
- Swiss Army Knife – Good or Gold?
- Best Survival Knife Ever? | SCHF9 Review
- Top 10 Uses For Survival Knives
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on May 26, 2014, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
How often do you truly need a corkscrew??
And on a survival knife??
“Run for your lives– and grab the Cabernet!!” no one said, ever.
Well corks used to be used for a lot things besides wine bottles. The fact it can be screwed in means it can get a hold on something that you could not otherwise, or make an anchor to hold paracord so you can do something for your safety or survival.
Not a bad choice (because everything Leatherman is good) but IMHO, the Wingman or the Sidekick would be better, esp. for the money. The Wingman, about $30 & the Sidekick $38ish. The biggest plus is that they have SPRING ACTION pliers/etc. Another big plus: the Wingman has BIG, very useful scissors. Most of the other Leatherman scissors are too small to be used effectively. They also have a very cool and useful small hooklike blade to be used as a box opener but I’ve found many other uses for it. Wingman: No saw, but the nice sized blade has a serrated half. The Sidekick does have a saw, thus, a couple bucks more. The Juice does look good but you’re paying for that. These look plainer but still look good enough…IMO.
Add any size split ring (used for keys, the original key ring) to the lanyard ring and you can fit any size cord you want to the Juice. You won’t be able to fold the lanyard ring in, but if you are using lanyard you wouldn’t be able to any way. The split ring is easy to remove if you want to take it off.
>in the coin pocket
It’s actually a watch pocket, as in pocket watches. It is useful for coins and other small things though
Anyway, great review. I might look into getting one of these when I have a little spare money
If you go to: http://www.swissknifeshop.com, you can get the juice and other Leatherman products, as well as Swiss Army knives, at a much less cost.