Reason for Zytel Inserts

[tomcrx]

I was showing some multitools to a non-multitool friend. We were talking about the changes in LM's over the years and he was comparing the PST and the
Fuse. He immediately said they had to use Zytel to stiffen the handles because to make the leaf spring locks work the handles had to be stamped from thinner stock.


I had never thought of that before but I noticed that the LM ST 300 will have the same lock design. Does this idea have any merit?

[J-sews]

Damn.

That's a good point Tom.

Food for thought: sheetmetal used on the Crunch is thicker than the Blast/Fuse/Kick, which makes the toggle lock tougher to operate. (on mine anyways)

[Gareth]

it took me a moment to get my head around what you meant but I've got it now.  I'm with Bob, your friend makes a good point.  it might be worth looking at the cutouts that form the spring, if they're long enough and the spring in slim enough then it might not be a problem.  Off to look at the pics now.

[Gareth]

OK so here is a good shot of the spring section: http://www.leathermanlibrary.com/displayimage.php?album=113&pos=9

To me it looks like the spring is quite slim so it might be easy enough to operate.  It might also be a potential point of weakness but that's a very pessimistic guess, only time will tell.

[cliosguy]

wow, now i got it....very good point Bob youre right my crunch lock spring is very hard too

[Magic Bus]

Interesting point there Tom, but the Zytel is there as a spacer too isn't it? Probably a bit of both. It doesen't bother me either, I like my Blast, thanks Dunc 

[Grant Lamontagne]

The Zytel insert is easy to explain.  Zytel works better when wet than the early versions with spaghetti inserts did, especially when it gets wet.

Def

[Freudian Frog]

The Zytel insert is easy to explain.  Zytel works better when wet than the early versions with spaghetti inserts did, especially when it gets wet.

Def

But, atleast the spaghetti inserts doubled as emergency carbohydrates... =(

[Grant Lamontagne]

Yes, but thanks to that Atkins guy no one would eat them in an emergency!

Def

[cliosguy]

 

[tomcrx]

I think it acts as a spacer also. I guess I should mic handle thickness on the Core vs Blast to check it.

The ST 300 is basically the Core with out the zytel plier head spacer. They neck down the handles like they did on the old ST.