Mini-pocket tool kit
Written: Aug 14 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Pliers, knife, screw drivers, and a cork screw, need I say more?
Cons: Has torn several of my pockets, flatheads are hard to get out.
The Bottom Line: I recommend this tool for someone who wants a pocket knife, and not one you need to hang it on your belt. It is very sturdy and versatile.
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| dandino's Full Review: Leatherman Juice C2 Inferno Multi-Tool |
I've been carrying a pocket knife from various manufacturers since I was 15. I decided that I was going to give pocket knives as a gift to my groomsmen. I went to the counter at a local sporting goods store and was nearly berated for toting a meager Swiss Army Knife. Offended, I asked how a product I'd been loyal to for years could be so outshined. The clerk must have been quite bored, because he proceeded to cut, slash, and ruin anything he could reach. Sure enough, Leatherman's products beat out the classic Swiss Army Knife in various competitions.
The Juice C2 is about the size of my index finger, and as wide as my thumb. It weighs no more than a bunch of keys and car remote. It has a bottle opener, cork screw, 3" blade, Philips head (#2 I believe), 3 flatheads of various sizes, and a pair of needle nose pliers with wire cutters. That's a lot to fit into a small space.
Pliers:
Considering that the pliers are contained within it and must be folded out, it is surprisingly sturdy. I have often been able to use these pliers on fairly tight/stripped bolts. I have also used them in one hand, while using a fixed pair of pliers in the other; the Juice has never shown any sign of strain from this. When it's opened, you can see that the handle has made a series of triangular openings, which is a way to strengthen the handle. A nice piece of engineering. The wire cutting portion could have been slightly larger. It easily cuts 10 and 12 wire, but it requires approaching a wide tie-wrap from both sides. I'm probably being petty here.
Screw Drivers:
There are 3 flat heads. Why do you need 3 flat heads? Because when it's Christmas and your nephew needs his toys put together, you need to use your miniscule driver. When you are trying to pry pieces apart or attack old screws in the door hinges you'll need the large one. It's also nice to have a FULL sized Philips head, which has a quickly narrowing tip that is useful for both large and small screws. You are also capable of getting a decent bit of torque, clearly not as much as a full sized driver, but still impressive. The Philips opens with your thumbnail easily, but the flat heads are in a little too tight, you usually need to dig out all of them at once with a strong fingernail and put back the ones you don't want.
Blade:
When I first bought it, I had the nasty habit of playing with it in my pocket. The knife is not like the ones you buy on the corner at Times Square. I learned very slowly considering all the bandages I went through. It comes to a fine point for detailed cutting, and like all components it is quite sturdy. It does not bend or buckle under stress. Just be careful, it is very sharp.
Alcohol related components:
It has a bottle opener and cork screw. The bottle opener is straight forward. It joins forces with the cork screw to make this one a party favorite. The cork screw is a little on the short side, however you get leverage by opening the bottle opener at the same time and putting it to the top of the bottle. It does take a little getting used to balancing the narrow bottle opener on the lip of the bottle, but you'll get the hang of it. You'll be surprised how often this comes in handy.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID: dandino
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Location: Long Island, NY
Reviews written: 49
Trusted by: 7 members
About Me: I like tools and electronic gizmos.
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