Kicking the Blasted Fuse

Grant Lamontagne · **on:** February 07, 2007, 02:29:21 AM

Anyone have any of these models? The Kick, Blast and Fuse are actually not too bad after all. I have a few issues with them, but as far as inexpensive, reliable multitools go, I think we may have a bunch of winners.

Being nice, lightweight tools, and well outfitted like the Blast is, I could see carrying one of these quite often. I'll be writing a full review of these later, but I wanted to see what others thought of them first.

Def

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2007, 02:30:31 AM

By the way, my Kick isn't pictured because it's currentl;y on a secret mission in the foothills of California....

Def

J-sews · **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2007, 03:31:00 AM

I like the long length, dedicated screwdriver blades.
I like the plier profile. (Long needlenose with thin cross section for reaching into tight areas, but wide plier pivot area for strength.)
I like the blade lock release mechanism.

But.......I don't like the plastic inserts. It's not a huge issue, but I prefer my multitools to be all metal. It feels like Leatherman made the handles out of very thin sheet metal, then used the plastic insert as a backer to make the metal stiffer.

The combination works fine, it is plenty strong enough. It just doesn't "feel" as solid as it should.

LatinoHeat · **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2007, 05:42:24 AM

I have the Blast, and I love it. I love my Wave as well, but as an over-all user, the Blast is a little better I think. The plastic inserts aren't really that bad. At first glance the tool seems a bit flimsy, because it's so lightweight, but it can hang in there with the other more expensive tools. Some folks have told me they have beat the crap out of their's, and it still works like new. I personally have put my Blast to some heavy duty work, figuring "screw it, if it bends, or breaks, I have the Wave." Well, no bending or breaking yet. The long tools rock, and the long blade is like a little sword. Mine was shaving sharp out of the box, and after many cutting chores and no resharpening yet, STILL shaves. The tools are bead blasted, and I know usually this aids in the corrosion and rusting process, but mine has been in water, sand, guck, humidity ( I live in Florida), and has yet to rust anywhere. No clumping either. I think that it is a VERY good compromise between comfort and utility. I think it's the kind've tool out grandfathers would have carried if they had been around back then. Simple, light, no-nonsense, fully functional, and tough as nails. Very cool tool.

prime77 · **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2007, 07:07:33 AM

I have a Kick with a pocket clip added to it and a Blast. I have used the Blast more than the Kick. I agree with everything you guys said. I like the long drivers and the Blade on the Blast has stayed sharp for me even after some abuse. The plastic inserts make using the pliers more comfortable. For me there's just something strange about plastic on a multitool.

Ging · **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2007, 01:28:04 PM

I like my Kick that I won (thanks guys!!). I carry it in my Uni bag and it complements my SAK Climber perfectly. The tool selection is good and I also like the fact it doesn't lock, so it can be EDC here in the UK.

I would like to see a Kick with the scissors and no lock for a great UK EDC tool. I no the Juice range has these features but I like the bigger pair of pliers that the Kick range has.

hawkchucker · **Reply #6 on:** February 07, 2007, 09:56:19 PM

I bought the Kick 3 weeks ago and absolutely love it. Only problem is I use it at work constantly and It mostly stays wet. No rusting issues, but I had a problem with it slipping in the hand.

So to make a long story short, I put the stair tread on it. It is a great mod, cuz no more slipping and I use it aso as sandpaper. It kinda also looks like it was ment to be there.

I also took a dremell to the plastic insert where the blades nailnick is and I can open it much easier.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2007, 11:44:37 PM

Pictures?

Def

hawkchucker · **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2007, 01:35:28 AM

Is it hard to post them. I will take them tonight.

hawkchucker · **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2007, 01:48:20 AM

Quote from: hawkchucker on February 08, 2007, 01:35:28 AM

Is it hard to post them. I will take them tonight.

hawkchucker · **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2007, 01:50:17 AM

Holy crap I did it.i AM THE MASTER OF THE COMPUTER. ALL WILL BOW TO ME.

Sorry to get all excited, That is the first time I have ever figured out how to do someting on the computer by myself. My wife says I need constant supervision.

Splat · **Reply #11 on:** February 08, 2007, 01:52:32 AM

Does the Kick open up when swinging around on that chain?

hawkchucker · **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2007, 02:10:53 AM

Actually My work is kinda wierd, In the good weather I drive a cement mixer, and in the bad I do Plant Maint. So I spend a lot of time up high on catwalks, So the chain is actually used as a bracelet and the tool just hangs loose so I can keep hands free. Also when I work on my truck I keep it attatched to my belt with it so It dont disapear.

I have enough to do 3 tools, so the first 3 that PM me thier addy will be sent one this weekend.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #13 on:** February 08, 2007, 02:27:03 AM

That looks pretty cool- I'll have to check out my local hardware stores for some of that stuff and fiddle with it!

Def

hawkchucker · **Reply #14 on:** February 08, 2007, 02:31:24 AM

Yah the stuff is pretty durable also. It has been on 3 weeks and counting. I just cleaned with rubbing alchohol, and stuck the stair runner stuff on. I used the kind that was backed by the 3M adhesive.

Funny also this weekend I was showing a scout troop how to start a fire with a bow drill, and I smoothed up the spindle with the tape. So It kinda has a dual purpose.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #15 on:** February 08, 2007, 02:34:55 AM

I wonder how well it would work as a match striker?

Def

hawkchucker · **Reply #16 on:** February 08, 2007, 02:46:39 AM

I tried it and it was way too rough, but if you took a nail and rubbed down the grit in one section I bet it would work. Hey now I got something to do at work tommorrow.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #17 on:** February 08, 2007, 03:03:09 AM

I hope you are on the catwalk and not driving the cement mixer!

Def

Splat · **Reply #18 on:** February 08, 2007, 03:33:03 AM

I like that idea. I'm going to get some of that stair tape tomorrow. There's been a few times in the rain where I musta dropped my Core and that would definitely help the grip. Cool!

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #19 on:** February 08, 2007, 03:47:19 AM

I can think of a few tools, SAKs and other things I'd like to try it on.

Def

J-sews · **Reply #20 on:** February 08, 2007, 04:02:26 AM

Is this stuff really made for stairs? Somehow I've never heard of it.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #21 on:** February 08, 2007, 04:11:08 AM

It's made for industrial and basement type steps. It's also used around pools and on skateboards. It's basically sandpaper with glue on the back.

Def

Splat · **Reply #22 on:** February 08, 2007, 04:11:42 AM

It's simply non-skid tape. They apply it to stairs, boat ladders, ladders, truck running boards, etc.. http://tinyurl.com/yovlp2

J-sews · **Reply #23 on:** February 10, 2007, 02:17:23 AM

The best thing about the Kick-Fuse-Blast is the plier head shape. The combination of wide pivot area for strength and thin jaws for reach works really well for me. The wire cutting section is also bigger than that of a lot of other multitools.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #24 on:** February 10, 2007, 02:36:28 AM

I agree- I am also pretty fond of teh shape pf the heads in this series.

In fact, they seem like the best head design from Leatherman so far.

Def

shecky · **Reply #25 on:** February 10, 2007, 11:50:56 PM

There's only one thing I don't like about the Kick. It has that goofy lanyard loop taking up enough space where a more useful implement could fit. I'd much prefer to have an awl there instead.

But other than that, I think the Kick is a fine, basic, multitool that's thin and light enough to be easily pocketed.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #26 on:** February 11, 2007, 01:53:03 AM

I am not a big fan of the folding lanyar ring myself. I personally prefer the idea SOG had where they bolt it to the outsie of the tool so it's not taking up space that another implement could inhabit.

But, as far as drawbacks go, it's not too bad... Besides, it's more incentive to go up to the Fuse or Blast, which also have that annoying folding lanyard ring but also feature additional tools (I am very impressed with the Blast) and the lock mechanism which is simple and effective.

The Kick is a great "starter" type multi, or a good tool for the non-tool person, but the Fuse and Blast go well beyond that.

Def

LatinoHeat · **Reply #27 on:** February 15, 2007, 02:36:09 AM

Hey Def, how are you enjoying your Blast? Have you EDCed it yet? It's such a comfortable, lightweight tool. It's my permanent multitool edc. Has it won you over yet?

prime77 · **Reply #28 on:** February 15, 2007, 08:37:14 AM

I had a extra Kick laying around so I used some of the 3M stair tape on it that Hawkchucker used. That stuff is seriously rough and I think will be useful in other situations. I also made the nail nick cutout deeper like Hawkchucker did as well. I had a LM pocket clip from one of their pocket knives. I thought I would try to use it on the Kick. I used a dremel to cut out the a small notch so the pocket clip wouldn't "wobble". I put the clip on the plier end so that the tool wouldn't open up when clipped in the pocket. It works great the clip doesn't move side to side at all. But when using the dremel I slipped twice and put two small scratches neat the top of the clip also I kind of "buggered" up the screw a little when removing it for the clip. I've never modded any tool before and I'm not sure you could consider this a real Mod anyway. It looks ok, the clip is beadblasted so it doesn't match the Kick. What do you guys think?

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #29 on:** February 15, 2007, 12:09:32 PM

It's a tool! It doesn't matter what it looks like as long as it works!

Besides that, it looks pretty darned good to me.

Def

Hello Lurker! Remove this ad and much more by logging in.

Kicking the Blasted Fuse

Donations

Community Links