Leatherman Fuse - More Capable In Comparison To The Less Expensive Leatherman Kick But Thinner And Less Heavy Than The Leatherman Blast

All 3 multi tools bear an obvious similarity to each other, and all make use of the same upgraded stronger elliptical plier head. (Just like the Leatherman Charge and Leatherman Wave).

The pliers on the Leatherman Fuse are identical in width to my previous Leatherman PST, despite this the pivot area is the considerably wider and tougher. Using the Fuse on various odd jobs around my house, I of the opinion that that this extra width started to get in the way. With a bigger wire cutter area too, I have no doubt that the up to date plier head design is a vast improvement.

If you are more familiar with the original Leatherman series, the first thing that is clearcut about the Leatherman Fuse is its handles. Plastic grips with curved edges have been molded in down the sides, which means the pliers are far more comfortable to grip than the first used plain steel sides. A number of finger grooves has been added as well, which will prevent the product from sliding in wet and slippery hands.

Situated within one handle, the Leatherman Fuse features a pair of scissors, a Phillips screwdriver, plus a cap lifter/can opener/wire stripper combo blade. The scissors are pretty decent, but they are a backward step in my opinion. For whatever reason, Leatherman Tool Group has built them smaller than the first Wave's scissors, with a noticeably shorter cutting action. I preferred the previous ones better.

Much improved however, is the Phillips screwdriver. In a different way to those on cheap imports, it has a good, useful shape to it. It's also most definitely long enough to reach deep into those recessed screws within the battery compartment cover on my kid'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 knife is the Crocodile Dundee of pocket tool blades, with a great deal more reach than that of older multi tools in its class. Now that's a knife!

But compared with its less expensive cousin the Kick, the one additional tool the Fuse benefits from is its scissors. Which kinda sucks. Why didn't Leatherman leave the stupid lanyard ring off the Fuse, and substituted a high quality diamond file. I often need a file, and if I had the choice, would not carry a multi tool without one.

Another worthwhile point about the Fuse blades; they have safety locks. As it has the same rocker switch lock that Leatherman first fitted to the Crunch, each tool snaps securely into position with a reassuring click. Ok, I know, I made us of an original PST without locking blades for more than ten years. But it's like power steering on lorries; as soon as it's an option, it doesn't make any sense to do without. Locking blades are totally necessary in my view.

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