Leatherman Fuse - More Accomplished In Comparison To The Less Pricey Leatherman Kick But Thinner And Even Lighter Than The Leatherman Blast

By Erina Array

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All 3 products have a clear similarity to one another, and all share the same upgraded stronger elliptical plier head. (Along with the Leatherman Charge and Leatherman Wave).

The pliers on the Leatherman Fuse are the exact same thickness as my old Leatherman PST, despite this the pivot area is the far wider and stronger. Having used the Fuse on several odd jobs at home, I am not convinced that this extra width started to get in the way. With a larger wire cutter area too, I feel the revised plier head design is a vast improvement.

If you are more used to the original Leatherman tools, the first thing that is clearcut in connection with the Leatherman Fuse is its handles. Plastic grips with rounded edges have been molded in down the edges, which means the pliers are much more comfortable to hold on to than the old plain steel sides. A series of finger grooves has also been introduced, which will prevent the multi tool from sliding when your hands are damp.

Situated in one handle, the Leatherman Fuse packs a set of scissors, a Phillips screwdriver, and a cap lifter/can opener/wire stripper combo blade. The scissors do the job, but they are a backward step if I am honest. For some reason, Leatherman USA has made them smaller than the original Wave's scissors, with a noticeably shorter cutting stroke. I preferred the previous ones better.

Much improved however, is the Phillips screwdriver. Unlike those on cheap imported multi tools, it has a really useful shape to it. It's also most definitely long enough to target recessed screws situated in the battery compartment cover on my boy's new toys.

The other handle has a clip point knife blade plus two flat head screwdrivers, also a good length.

Speaking of long tools, this knife is the Crocodile Dundee of multi tool blades, with a lot more reach than that of early multi tools in its sector. Now that's a knife!

But in comparison with its less expensive sibling the Kick, the only additional tool the Fuse has is its scissors. In my opinion sucks. I think Leatherman should have left the silly lanyard ring off the Fuse, and replace it with a high quality diamond file. I regularly us a file, and if I had the choice, would not carry a multi tool without one.

Another valid point about the Fuse blades; they all lock. As it has the same rocker switch lock that Leatherman first fitted to the Crunch, every tool snaps securely into position with a reassuring click. Ok, I know, I made us of the first PST without locking blades for more than a decade. But it's like power steering on cars; once it became an option, it doesn't make any sense to do without. Locking blades are essential in my opinion.