Leatherman Core or Surge?

R

RubberJohnny

Joined
Mar 11, 2006
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I'm gonna pop up to my local SIR (a canadian outdoors store) to pick up my first multitool. I've narrowed it down to either the Core or the Surge. I'm mostly going to use it when I go camping/fishing. Right now i'm leaning towards the core because its lighter and is about 20 bucks cheaper. I've done a search but the debate was inconclusive (in my mind).

Thanks in advance!

Almost forgot what sheath leather or nylon?
 
I haven’t had a chance to see the Surge yet, but 12.5 oz dose sound like it is a bit too heavy. The One hand opening knife blades are nice if you don’t carry another knife, but you can get one hand blades with the Wave and Charge also. One thing that is exclusive to the Surge is the blade exchanger that takes both file and saw blades…looks like a good idea and it frees up space for a pair of scissors.


I can vouch for the Core – excellent multitool. The leather Core sheath looks much better than the Nylon pouch.




- Frank
 
I just got back with a Core. It feels really solid and I hope to give it a beating tommorow doing chores around the yard.I'm really impressed with the sharpness on the woodsaw! Unfortunatley all they had available were the nylon sheaths.Thanks Again for the advice.
 
frank k said:
I haven’t had a chance to see the Surge yet, but 12.5 oz dose sound like it is a bit too heavy. The One hand opening knife blades are nice if you don’t carry another knife, but you can get one hand blades with the Wave and Charge also. One thing that is exclusive to the Surge is the blade exchanger that takes both file and saw blades…looks like a good idea and it frees up space for a pair of scissors.


I can vouch for the Core – excellent multitool. The leather Core sheath looks much better than the Nylon pouch.




- Frank
Click to expand...

This leads to a question I often ponder; how much weight is too much?
While 6 or 8 ounces would be a reasonable consideration in choosing a carried object, somehow a couple of ounces more or less seems borderline obsessive.

Some people are very sensitive to these issues. My hardcore hiker friends tell me that except for essentials, 7 ounces per item is their dividing line. If something weighs less, they take it along. If more, it stays home. I don't know how they arrived at that particular weight, but all agree, and are usually willing to sacrifice some degree of functionality for portability or do without.

In day to day, however, I feel no significant weight differences between my Swisschamp, Supertool 200 or Juice on my belt. There is only a 1.3 oz difference between a Surge (12.5 oz) and Core (10.8). Does that really make such a difference on a belt-carried item?
 
I've been wearing the Core around the house to break in its belt sheath and I discovered that after the span of maybe 15-20 minutes I can barely notice the weight of the tool. For me the weight of the tool isn't really a factor. Even when I use the tool I seem to "get used to it" and not even think about what it feels like in my hand. I got to heft several multitools while I was there and I couldn't really feel a difference in weight between the Core and Surge. I mainly chose the Core because I thought it was less bulky and cluttered compared to the Surge not because of the weight difference.
 
When I belt carry a heavier multitool, e.g., SOG PowerLock or Leatherman SuperTool, I have to tighten my belt a notch to keep my pants up.

I can bear the extra weight vertically. It is the belt constriction that is uncomfortable when sitting or after eating.

I sure like those heavier tools, though.
 
I have both the Core and the Surge! I like both but the Core has Won me over, So this week when I leave for Afghanistan ( I am in the Army) I will pack my Core and leave the Surge at home.
 
When you go over to Afghanistan are you just going to bring the Core? or are you going to supplement it with a fixed blade or single blade folder? Just curious.
 
I also carry a Spyderco Military (PE) and I have a Vic Outrider in my E & E Kit. I don't carry a fixed blade because we carry so much Kit that a fixed blade becomes a problem. I also carry a Laplander Folding SAW in my Rucksack! It stays there because well it stays there! I may never need it in Afghanistan but other places I go, it does get some use.
 
RickJ said:
... So this week when I leave for Afghanistan ( I am in the Army) I will pack my Core and leave the Surge at home.
Click to expand...

God bless you and thanks for your service. Return safely.
 
Thank You Sir! for you kind words, I have a great Wife and Two Fine Boys so I hope and Pray to return Safely.
 
I have both the Core and the Surge and have carried both of them for a few months. The Surge is an extremely versatile tool and for camping, might have an edge over the Core with the scissors depending on ones opinion. The Core, on the other hand is a basic, solid tool which will do just about anything on the fly you require. If I were in a situation where absolute dependability and durability came first, I'd choose the Core:)
 
I've had a Surge since it became available. I've used it at work, and the spring for the large bit holder has come out twice. Also, overall, it doesn't seem to be as precision-made as my Charge XTi. There seems to be more "slop" in the construction. I was surprised by all of this, because everything else I've had from LM has been A+ all around. It's also bigger and heavier than necessary (although, with you being a hunter, you may want the bigger tool). I recently decided that I'm going to sell the Surge, and I've bought another Charge XTi (the one I already had was a gift, so I don't use it at work). I've used quite a few multi-tools and SAKs in my day, and I must say, the Charge is really outstanding. Just fantastic. I got my second on eBay for $65. Also, the straight blade is 154 CM steel, which is better than the steel on either the Core or Surge. I would strongly recommend a Charge, unless you absolutely need the larger size of the Core or Surge for some reason.

Edit: One nice thing about the Surge, though, is the blade exchanger. I've never done this, but I imagine that you could use the removable file (one side is diamond) to sharpen the straight blade. Of course if you want to have the saw handy as well, that means you're going to be carrying a blade around. Fortunately LM includes a small pouch that will hold two blades, and it fits in the pouch. This might be a desirable feature for big outdoors types.
 
I have 4 WAVES. I'm a multitool fan and use mine a lot. I've never held a Charge or a Surge; but I had planned to get one or the other - probably a Surge. I checked out a Core yesterday at WalMart. I wasn't very impressed. It just didn't seem as well made as the older WAVEs I have and the leather sheath was just terrible - extremely cheap. That Core and its sheath made me rethink my plan to buy a Surge. Maybe it was an exception? I may still get either a Charge or Surge, but I'm definitely going to check them out in person prior to ordering.
 
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