REVIEWS
A Three Year Test of the Leatherman Blast Multi-tool for Adventure Cycling
A really useful item for travelling overland is a good multi-tool. Gerber and Leatherman are the main brands. The blast is a lightweight, solid-feeling tool which comes (unsurprisingly) in a leather case.
It has the following tools:
- Bottle Opener
- Hard-wire Cutters
- Large Screwdriver
- Needlenose Pliers
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Regular Pliers
- Saw
- Small Bit Driver
- Small Screwdriver
- Wire Cutters
- Wood/Metal File
- Wire Stripper
- Spring-action Scissors
- 420HC Blade
Materials
- High-carbon (HC) form of 420 stainless steel optimized by heat treatment.
- Black oxide powder-based metal coating for reducing glare and reflection.
- Zytel® is an abrasion and impact resistant material that can be inserted into handles for comfort and protection from scratches and wear.
The tool was useful for cutting fingernails with the small scissors. I used the main blade knife for cutting food and it took a while to lose its edge and was easy to sharpen.
The small screwdriver was good for electrical items, although after a while it fell out and I lost it. The screwdriver positioning is okay but there isn’t enough leverage or length for tough or different to reach screws.
I managed to snap the saw off cutting through a piece of plywood. The pliers arent strong enough for many tasks probably due to compromising weight over strength.
To conclude, its a useful and compact tool but needs to be more rigid and durable to last any long-term use.