Leatherman Fuse Multi Tool - More Accomplished Than The Less Expensive Leatherman Kick But Leaner And Lighter In Weight Than The Leatherman Blast

All 3 options have a strong resemblance to one another, and all share the same upgraded stronger elliptical plier head. (As well as the Leatherman Charge and Leatherman Wave).

The pliers on the Leatherman Fuse are the exact same thickness as my old Leatherman PST, but the pivot area is the much wider and tougher. Using the Fuse on several odd jobs at home, I didn't feel that this extra width got in the way at all. With a greater wire cutter area too, I am sure the latest plier head design is a definite improvement.

If you are more familiar with the first generation of Leatherman tools, the first thing that is clearcut in connection with the Leatherman Fuse is its handles. Plastic grips with curved edges have been molded in along the edges, leading to the pliers being far more easy to grip than the first used plain steel sides. A number of finger grooves has been added as well, which will prevent the pocket tool from sliding when your hands are damp.

Situated in one handle, the Leatherman Fuse features a pair of scissors, a Phillips screwdriver, and a cap lifter/can opener/wire stripper combo blade. The scissors are pretty decent, but they are a backward step if I am honest. For whatever reason, Leatherman has built them smaller than the old Wave scissors, with a much shorter cutting action. I preferred the previous ones better.

Much improved however, is the Phillips screwdriver. Unlike those on less expensive imports, it has a good, well thought out shape to it. It's also most definitely long enough to target recessed screws situated in the battery compartment cover on my girl's new toys.

The other handle has a clip point knife blade and a couple of flat head screwdrivers, also a nice length.

Speaking of long tools, this balde should be titled the Crocodile Dundee of multi tool blades, with a great deal more reach than that of former multi tools in its sector. What a knife!

But compared with its less expensive cousin the Kick, the one extra feature the Fuse has is its scissors. Which kinda sucks. Why didn't Leatherman leave the silly lanyard ring off the Fuse, and substituted a good diamond file. I regularly us a file, and if I had the choice, would not carry a multi tool without one.

One valid point about the Fuse blades; they have safety locks. As it has the same rocker switch lock that Leatherman Tool Group originally fitted to the Crunch, every tool snaps securely into position with a reassuring click. I know, I carried the original PST without locking blades for over a decade. But it's like power steering on vehicles; once it became available, it doesn't make any sense to do without. Locking blades are a necessary thing in my opinion.