Leatherman Fuse Multi Tool – More Equipped Compared With The Cheaper Leatherman Kick But Slimmer And Lighter In Weight Than The Leatherman Blast
The Leatherman Fuse is the middle child in a set of three multi tools Leatherman introduced six years back. It is more competent than the cheaper Kick, but more slimline and lighter than the Blast.
All 3 options have a strong resemblance to each other, and all make use of the same improved 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 previous Leatherman PST, however the pivot area is the far wider and stronger. Having used the Fuse on various odd jobs at home, I am not convinced that this extra width got in the way at all. With a bigger wire cutter area as well, I feel the latest plier head design is a clear improvement.
If you are more used to the original Leatherman products, the one thing that is clearcut about the Leatherman Fuse is its handles. Plastic grips with curved edges have been molded in down the edges, making the pliers far more easy to hold on to than the original plain steel edges. A series of finger grooves has also been added, which will help keep the pocket tool from sliding when your hands are damp.
Situated within one handle, the Leatherman Fuse features a set of scissors, a Phillips screwdriver, plus a cap lifter/can opener/wire stripper combo blade. The scissors are pretty decent, but they are a step backwards in all honesty. For whatever reason, Leatherman USA has built them smaller than the original Wave’s scissors, with a much shorter cutting stroke. I preferred the previous ones better.
A big improvement though, is the Phillips screwdriver. Unlike those on cheap imports, 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 and a couple of flat head screwdrivers, also a good length.
Speaking of long tools, this balde should be titled the Crocodile Dundee of multi tool blades, with significantly more reach than that of previous multi tools in its sector. What a knife!
But compared with its less expensive sibling the Kick, the only additional function the Fuse benefits from is its scissors. In my opinion sucks. I think Leatherman should have left the unnecessary lanyard ring off the Fuse, and substituted a high quality diamond file. I often need a file, and prefer not to carry a multi tool without one.
Another important point about the Fuse blades; they all lock. As it has the same rocker switch lock that Leatherman first employed on the Crunch, each tool locks securely into position with an audible click. I know, I used an first 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 makes no sense to do without. Locking blades are essential in my opinion.
