A portable blower having a propulsion unit for continuously generating a supply of pressurized fluid and a conduit assembly for controllably directing fluid from the propulsion unit to and through a discharge opening on the conduit assembly. The discharge opening is bounded by a rim, defined at least partially by a discrete component made from a first material. The conduit assembly has a first portion made from a second material to which the discrete component is operatively connected. The first material is at least one of: a) more resistant to abrasive wear than the second material; b) more resistant to impact than the second material; and c) harder than the second material.