Thank you Canada Post for delivering one of my packages recently. I was waiting for this one a little while. It is a Leatherman camo Fuse. This means I now have 6 versions now.
(The new one is the official green camo in the upper right. The lower left is a painted one from a fellow in Michigan.
When I organized them for photographing, I noticed I had a few older and newer designed examples. In fact, I have 3 of each (not counting my EDC knifeless that is not shown). This has been mentioned in these forums on several occasions, however, I figured I may as well highlight the differences a little as a refresher for those who care about such things.
The easiest way to tell the generations apart is to look at the locking mechanism. There are two main differences. The newer lever has a slightly wider thumb press. This difference is not all that great compared to the older design. However, what is easier to see is the modifications on the side of the handles designed to accommodate this wider platform. They notched the handles on the side. This is the easiest way to tell that you have a newer generation Leatherman Fuse.
Here you can see that notch. From the above photo, you can tell that the upper top, upper right, and lower center are the new generation Fuses. The other 3 do not show this lever cutout on the side of the handles. Those are older tools.
The newer design not only features a better locking mechanism, but a better handle stance. The newer generation Fuses open a little wider. This means possibly less palm pinch (although I must say, I never pinched anything that I didn't intend to with the older tools either). It is nice that Leatherman saw the need to update this small aspect. Unless you were comparing tools side by side, you probably wouldn't have noticed this much. A subtle but appreciated update.
Here you can see the older generation tool (O), to the newer generation tool (N). Note that the newer tools open a little wider. This has all to do with how the pliers head cam is shaped and how it interacts with the handles.
A harder way to tell the difference between the older and newer generation tool is the knife blade. On older tools, the nail nick is facing outside. Sometimes, the blade would hide the nick behind the handles, making it a little hard and fidgety to get the blade out. The newer generation moved that nail nick to the inside. I found this one by accident, as I was trying to get the blade out on a newer tool. I tried the inside, and voila, I got it. Guess I am more used to the older models.
Note the older tools have the blade nail nick sitting on the outside of the handles. The newer tool has the nick on the inside, with nothing to cover it up unlike the older model. This photo can be a bit misleading. the Newer tool has the blade on the bottom of the stack, the older ones are first right next to the top handle in this photograph. Also note the bottom right is a knifeless Fuse with file instead of blade.
I hope you enjoyed this small comparison between the various Fuse generations. Even though this is old information, it is still good to repeat it on occasion.
EDIT: I also forgot to add that the pivot point on the newer tools use a larger pin. The newer tools have a beefier locking mechanism which I suspect was a weak point on the older tool.
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