Itaco^.asia

All 3 products bear an obvious similarity to one another, and all share the same enhanced tougher elliptical plier head. (In company with the Leatherman Charge and Leatherman Wave).

The pliers on the Leatherman Fuse are identical in width to my old Leatherman PST, but then the pivot area is the far wider and stronger. Having used 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 larger wire cutter area as well, I have no doubt that the latest plier head design is a definite improvement.

If you are more used to the first generation of Leatherman range, the one thing that is clearcut in connection with the Leatherman Fuse is its handle scales. Plastic grips with rounded edges have been molded in along the sides, leading to the pliers being far more comfortable to hold on to than the previous plain steel edges. A series of finger grooves has also been introduced, which will prevent the pocket tool from sliding when your hands are damp.

In 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 step backwards if I am honest. For some reason, Leatherman Tool Group has made them smaller than the first Wave's scissors, with a considerably shorter cutting action. I preferred the previous ones better.

A big improvement though, is the Phillips screwdriver. Unlike those on cheap imports, it has a good, well thought out shape to it. It's also most definitely long enough to get to recessed screws within the battery storage area on my child's latest toys.

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

Speaking of long tools, this balde should be labeled the Crocodile Dundee of multi tool blades, with a lot more reach than that of original multi tools in its class. What a knife!

But compared to its cheaper cousin the Kick, the one additional feature the Fuse has is its scissors. In my opinion sucks. I think Leatherman should have left the pointless lanyard ring off the Fuse, and replace it with a reasonable diamond file. I often need a file, and prefer not to carry a multi tool without one.

Another worthwhile point about the Fuse blades; they have safety locks. Using the same rocker switch lock that Leatherman USA first employed on the Crunch, each tool locks securely into position with a reassuring click. I know, I used the original PST without locking blades for more than ten years. But it's like power steering on pick-up trucks; once it became an option, it makes no sense to be without it. Locking blades are a necessary thing in my opinion.