Political Poll

All three tools bear a clear resemblance to one another, and all share the same improved 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, however the pivot area is the far wider and stronger. Having used the Fuse on several 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 feel the brand new plier head design is a vast improvement.

If you are more used to the first generation of Leatherman pocket tools, the first thing that is clearcut about the Leatherman Fuse is its handle scales. Plastic grips with curved edges have been molded in down the edges, which means the pliers are much more comfortable to grip than the old plain steel edges. A number of finger grooves has been added as well, which will prevent the item from sliding when your hands are damp.

Situated in one handle, the Leatherman Fuse packs a set of scissors, a Phillips screwdriver, plus a cap lifter/can opener/wire stripper combo blade. The scissors do the job, but they are a step backwards in all honesty. For whatever reason, Leatherman Tool Group has built them smaller than the old Wave scissors, with a much shorter cutting action. I liked the old ones better.

A big improvement though, is the Phillips screwdriver. Unlike those on less expensive imported multi tools, it has a good, useful appearance to it. It's also most definitely long enough to reach deep into those recessed screws within the battery storage area on my girl's latest toys.

The opposite handle has a clip point knife blade together with a couple of flat head screwdrivers, also a nice length.

Speaking of long tools, this balde is the Crocodile Dundee of pocket tool blades, with a lot more reach than that of former multi tools in its sector. What a knife!

But compared to its cheaper sibling the Kick, the one additional feature the Fuse benefits from is its scissors. Which kinda sucks. Why didn't Leatherman leave the unnecessary lanyard ring off the Fuse, and replace it with a reasonable 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 all lock. As it has the same rocker switch lock that Leatherman originally fitted to the Crunch, every tool locks securely into place with an audible click. Ok, I know, I made us of the original PST without locking blades for over ten years. But it's like power steering on cars; as soon as it's an option, it doesn't make any sense to be without it. Locking blades are a necessary thing in my view.