Hi ElCuchillo,
I have had a Leatherman Blast for about a year. I posted at that time asking what others thought of this product, and thought I might do a review of the Blast once I had time to use it. I have not done formal testing with the Blast but have some thoughts after using it for the year.
Some background on me so you have an idea where I am coming from. I have carried/used a "quality" Swiss army knife for the past 24 years and purchased my first Leatherman PST 15 years ago (still have the original sheath, and packaging for it). I have used several Leatherman products including the original Supertool, Juice S2 and CS4, Micra, Wave and PST II.
My thoughts on the Blast:
1. I like the new handles. When open they do not have thin edges that dig into your hand like on previous models. The zytel allows for a good grip on the tool with almost no discomfort while squeezing the handles.
2. Tools open one-at-a-time. There is no clumping. THis is an improvement over the older models. I have had tools start to clump once, but lubricating the pivot area solved the problem. By the way, since I use my Blast for food preparation, I lubricated it with extra virgin olive oil. THis eliminated the possibility od contaminating my food, and since I only applied a light coating of oil (with a Q-tip) it has not affected the opening of the blades. If this does become a problem, I will post on it later, however it has not been a problem over the past 6 months.
3. I like the longer blade of the Blast. It makes cutting easier. I had to sharpen mine with my Gatco sharpener, and from past experience have learned that a bit of "elbow grease" is needed to put an edge on the blade. While I have not done formal edge testing, the blade edge has held up to daily usage including food preparation and opening packaging.
4. All tools lock open. And with the traditional Leatherman design, if the lock breaks, the blade will not close on your fingers because the other handle will stop it (provided the tool is closed). Talk about double safety.
5. Pliers ar superb. I used them at my Mother's to replace a leaky faucit, and also in conjunction with a duct-tape tipped wire to remove a toothpaste cap my 4-year old daughter had dropped in the sink drain. THe wire cutters are also excellent; my co-worker used them to cut a 1/8" wire coat hanger into sections without any diffivulty or damage to the blast.
6. I am a BIG fan of the Victorinox can opener. The Blast can opener is the best thast Leatherman has designed yet. It is not as thisk as previous versions, and cuts way better than the Juice series canopeners. I actually prefer it to the Vic can opener now.
7. Since both handles are the same, I had difficulty determining which side of the handle held the knife blade. I solved the problem by adding a small rectangle of duct-tape on the top of the knife side. Now, I can feel it if I can't see it, or I can look for the tape and know that is the side with the knife blade.
8. I tried to use a Victorinox saw on a piece of seasoned bamboo. I was trying to cut it for my garden. The Vic saw slipped on the bamboo, but the Blast saw "dug in" and it didn't take long to cut through the bamboo. Now don't get me wrong, I think that Vic saws ar amazing, but the saw on the Blast was more aggressive in this case; it looke very similar th the saw on a Vis Safari that I have.
9. The Philips screwdriver is much longer than those on my Vic's, and because it is "in-line" is much easier to use. Ihave used it frequently from replacing batteries in my kid's toys to changing a GFI outlet in the bathroom.
Although there are many pluses to the Blast, I have found some areas I foun disappointing or need improving:
1. I normally wear pants to work that do not require a belt. I either carry the Blast (in its sheath) in my from pocket, or leave it in my briefcase. At home I wear a belt, so it is always with me. I am looking for a way to modify the current sheath to make it a clip on, or finding another clip on sheath.
2. Scissors are important to me. Tthese scissors are OK, and cut most things well. The problem I had was that if I was not careful how I positioned the scissors when cutting, the lever arm would slip past the spring and jam the scissors. This can easily be remedied by pulling the lever arm back to its original position, but it is a pain. Scissors on my original Wave and Juice CS4 are more user friendly.
3. I have used the lanyard attachment for its intended porupose, but worried that it might bend becasue if is so thin. So far this has not happened.
Overall, I am extremely pleased with my Blast. Is still gravitate between my Swiss Army knives (usually a Hunter or Hercules) nad a Leatherman (CS4 Juice or preferably the Blast).
Sorry for the length of my post.
Hope you find the information helpful.
Neil
). Looks like hell, but still in solid working condition.
