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Roxon KS2E and Flash S803E Elite 2024 Multi-tools Review

Roxon is a relatively new multi-tool vendor that I have reviewed a few times before.  They have some innovative designs that don't copy other vendors.  I've bought a number of their tools as they are reasonably priced, have good quality, and look pretty cool in general.  These tools are not perfect by any means, but they definitely have their uses and could be your primary multi-tool.  Some of the features I like about these tools are their large scissors if the tool has them, and the innovative tool deployment  / lock / unlock lever mechanism they use to deploy the smaller tools.

In this article I'm going to go over the new "Elite" versions of Roxon's KS2 and Flash S803 and highlight some of the changes from the older regular model.  I previously compared the Flash to a Bibury outdoors multi-tool and the KS2 to a Victorinox Huntsman, so I'm not going into some of the details again.  Both of these tools have definitely been improved in both toolset and construction materials in these new versions.

The KS2E and the S803E come in their standard box packaging in red instead of orange.
The improved versions of these tools both use better steels in their construction.  The biggest improvement is the use of D2 steel in the knife blades for better edge retention.  This is a big step up from the original 5Cr15Mov steels which were decent, but not great.  Most of the other tools also received better steel for the saws and the scissors in the KS2E.  The price didn't increase all that much for these improvements either.  At the time of writing, you can see both types of tools for sale on Amazon, but you might have to toggle between the versions on the listing.

Back of the box details the tools included on each device.

They both come with usable sheaths for belt carry in the vertical position.

Specifications for the Roxon Flash S803E
D2 stainless steel for the blade, 420 steel for the pliers, 1.4116 German steel (approx. 420HC) for the body and tools except for the Phillips/file + wire cutters which are 5Cr15Mov.
Length: About 157.5 mm Open, 103 mm Closed
Height: About 39 mm
Width: About 23 mm with pocket clip
Weight: Approximately 242 grams

Specifications for the ROXON KS2E
D2 stainless steel for the blade, 420 steel for the pliers, 1.4116 German steel (approx. 420HC) for the body and tools except for the Phillips/file + wire cutters which are 5Cr15Mov., G10 handle
Length: 86.5 mm (3.40 inches)
Height: 25 mm (.98 inches)
Width: 20 mm (0.79 inches)
Weight: Approximately 125 grams (4.4 ounces)

Roxon S803E Flash Elite
 Roxon KS2 Elite
Pliers Head-

Replaceable Wire Cutters-

Large Blade
 Large Blade
-
 Large Scissors
Can Opener Can Opener
Small Flat Screwdriver Small Flat Screwdriver
Bottle Opener Bottle Opener
Large&Small Wire Strippers -
Large Flat Screwdriver -
Phillips Screwdriver Phillips Screwdriver
Reamer/Punch Reamer/Punch
Sewing Awl Sewing Awl
Wood Saw Wood Saw

Tweezers
Ferro Rod + Whistle Tool -
Long Ruler
 1 Inch Ruler
File Nail File
Pocket Clip
 Pocket Clip
Optional Extended Bit set       
Included Extended Bit Set

If you have the optional bit kit for the Flash, you cannot carry it in the sheath with the tool.  The bit kit is the same for both tools and it is for 4mm not 1/4 bits.

How the tools fit into the sheaths, with the tools slightly pulled out.

The included bit kit for the KS2E is shown in this picture.  You can use the same bit kit on the Flash.

Both blades now use D2 steel, a much better stainless than what is in most multi-tools, including Leatherman.

All of the tools on the KS2E deployed. Note the tweezers that fit into the scissor handle.

The pliers and the assembled ferro rod and whistle for the Flash.  The handles are spring loaded which is really nice to have.

All of the tools for the Flash Elite deployed.

I mentioned that these tools were good but not perfect earlier.  They have both strong and weak points.  Aesthetically both tools are attractive in design, but somewhat boxy and bulkier than their comparative counterparts.  They have rounded edges on handles and grips which is a very nice feature.  The craftsmanship is definitely better than average, it isn't on par with Victorinox (which seems to have the best record overall for no defects). The improved steels in these tools are a very positive thing, especially at the price for these tools ($58 CDN for Flash Elite and $52 CDN for KS2E).  Both multi-tools also have most of the common tools you need too.  The Flash is geared towards the outdoors, but has no scissor, and KS2 is geared towards EDC pocket carry for daily use with its scissors and lack of a pliers (which I don't find myself using all that much on a daily basis).

In my first Flash, there was a fair bit of play in the handles which is because the pliers head wasn't as tight in construction.  In this version, the pliers head is solid and there is minimal play.  Having the knife come out on the end of the handles end of the tool is not a plus as there can be a bit of wiggle .  On many of the multi-tools the knife blade comes out on the end with the pliers for a firm anchoring.  Having said this, it isn't something that bothers me on the Elite version I have of the Flash, but it was on the older version.  Maybe the quality has improved on this too?  I couldn't tell without seeing dozens of these tools.  A huge improvement to the Flash Elite was the addition of a large flat head screwdriver / light pry bar.  Roxon must have listened to feedback and this was a big deficiency in the first version.  Best of all, they fit the flat head in with some ingenious engineering so the dimensions didn't change at all!  They added wire stripper and the flat head in for two additional types of tools in the same package.  I've seen some reviews that complain about the ferro rod + whistle being hard to take out.  It is difficult, but it is much better than being looser like in my first Flash, where I worried about losing it.  I find that by pushing a bit on the ferro rod end, you can loosen it up and it pops out with the use of a fingernail on the whistle end.

The KS2E only had a materials improvement.  This tool is pretty much the same as the original except for the better steels and an included bit kit.  I still think the biggest deficiency in this tool is a missing large flat head again and I wish they had added that like they did in the Flash Elite.  The KS2E is still a good tool though and it is a relatively compact package that has a lot of functionality.  When I carry it with the bit kit I include a Gerber Shard in the holster.  The Shard provides a bit of prying capability and some larger flat head screwdrivers that could work with surface mounted screws. Get the KS2E if you want the bit kit and the better steels, especially in the knife blade.

Strangely enough, I actually think these two tools complement each other too.  You get a scissor in the KS2 and pliers in the Flash.  There is a larger blade on the Flash, and a smaller and more precise blade on the KS2.  The Flash has a large flathead and the KS2 and the Flash have a Phillips that can take the 4mm bit kit that comes with the KS2E with the KS2E being able to manipulate it better.  A pair of tweezers is on the KS2 and you get redundancy in the other small tools.  The KS2 pouch would fit well in front of your Flash pouch on a belt too.  Basically, you would use the KS2 for just about everything since it is handier, unless you needed pliers, a light prybar, or a whistle/firestarter.

The awesomely large scissors that cut really well on paracord or paper on the KS2E

The tools all fanned out on both tools with the bit adapter mounted on the KS2E.

 

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