Surge opinions requested

Z

znapschatz

Joined
Jan 24, 2005
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It's been under consideration for heavy duty use. What do Surge owners think of it?

Thanx (I hope)
 
Big fan of the Surge. Robust design, serrated and plain blades and FINALLY, a decent awl on a multi. Plus, I love the blade exchanger. If the file or the saw ever wears down, just replace it instead of the whole tool. Same thing goes with the bit adapter. Some may think that it's too heavy or bulky, but I haven't had a problem wearing it in my back pocket, next to my wallet w/ a clip. One more thing -- best Leatherman scissor design yet.
 
I like mine a lot. However, the springs holding in the bits sort of make me mad. They are quasi exposed, and I just had one shoot out into the unknown the other day. A bit driver isn't much good if the bit falls out:grumpy:

Other than that, I'm tickled pink with it:):thumbup:
 
Steely Gunz, does yours rattle? Mine seems like it rattles more than it ought to. No big deal, more of an annoyance really.
 
I feel naked without it. Size is perfect for my needs, weight has become negligible with daily wear on my belt next to my cell. Solved the bit exchanger spring problem/issue by dabbing a drop of locktite or superglue on the spring-coils at the base. Even have a purpose for the small 'jewellers' screwdriver for my glasses. Also love the fact that I can take out the diamond file and use it on all types of blades without having to use the entire multi. Robust scissors (as many have noticed).

Only complaint? I wish it had 154CM steel on both blades (serrated & plain edged)

2 years EDC and still going strong.
 
My family has a 1000 acre farm we operate, my dad and I were both heavy eqpt/diesel mechanics. I now work security and my dad is a city utilities engineer. EDC since we got 'em for Christmas a few years back has been the Surge. We are brutal on those tools. I have busted blades using them for mini prybars and such. Leatherman still replaces them. I have to say, that out of all my multi-tools, even other L-man, this is the one I am most satisfied with.

In the shop: cutting hoses, belts, etc. Screws, some bolts and nuts, etc. This tool worked like a champ. Only reason I got it was because Leatherman stopped making the Super Tool

Farm: Barbed wire, tractor repair, and sometimes even as a hammer in small quarters, this thing is unstoppable

My dad says he uses his nearly daily when doing utility installs at work

I have used mine to repair fences, fix lights, ghetto-rig a set of stairs, and even repair our patrol cart on one site. I have never been happier with a tool/knife purchase...
 
I love mine too. It's been my EDC since Christmas 2006 when I got it. And I've used the Bosch t-shank blades to cut wood more than once. :D
dougo83, I think you need a prySTR from Steve Rice over at this post.. micro-sized titanium prybars for $23 shipped! Mine fits in the accessory side pocket of my LM Surge sheath, and I use it a couple times a week! It's awesome having an EDC prybar that weighs less than an ounce.
 
The Surge is a brute , only serious rival is the full sized Vic. Swisstool . I dont care much for the bit drive system , I would only trust it for light use . I use a Leatherman Tool Adaptor , and regular 1/4 hex bits . The bits are readily available from any hardware store , and ya cant kill a tool adaptor .

Chris
 
cdf said:
The Surge is a brute , only serious rival is the full sized Vic. Swisstool . I dont care much for the bit drive system , I would only trust it for light use . I use a Leatherman Tool Adaptor , and regular 1/4 hex bits . The bits are readily available from any hardware store , and ya cant kill a tool adaptor .

Chris
Click to expand...

Glad you mentioned that. I have a tool adapter to fit a Super Tool, but it doesn't seem to fit properly on my Core. I was hoping to finesse that with one of those extentions that goes over the ph driver. Maybe this would work for the Core, but I see the Surge doesn't have one, except in the bit holder. I may have to factor in a new Tool Adapter if I go Surge. Hm.
 
Great tool, great features, highly recommended, but not the tool for me.

I liked the t-shank just because it's potentially so handy. It's very easy to carry a couple metal blades in the sheath or something to cut a small pipe in a pinch. Not everybody needs such a thing and it's not as good as a dedicated hacksaw, but the tool you have with you is always the best tool for the job rather than the tool sitting at home.

The scissors are definitely better than all the other full size tools, but in my opinion they don't hold a candle to the micra scissors. I carry a micra basically for the scissors and that's about it these days. Also, I found the scissors on the surge to be very awkward to use sometimes due to their sticking out the end of the tool; I've been spoiled by the micra. I hear good things about the SOG crosscut as well.

The bit drivers are a lot stronger than you think, and for most people they are fine. They obviously aren't as strong as a full bit adapter, but the tradeoff is that a whole complement of bits fits in a little card in your pocket; again the tool you have is better than the tool at home. I know I would never carry a box of bits with me. Some people have problems with the drivers exploding or springs busting, but I haven't had that problem despite some heavy use.

The biggest reason why I gave away my surge and got a charge was that I kept getting blood blisters on my thumb; no matter how hard I tried, I would always pinch my thumb in the handles while using the pliers, and one time I took a goodly piece of skin off. I remember thinking once that sado-masochists should integrate the surge in their activities. I've only pinched my thumb with the charge once, and it was my fault for not paying attention.

But, everybody's hands are different, and the surge is a hell of a tool.
 
Thanx to all for your responses. Based partly on the favorable comments, I sprung for a Surge and have been EDCing it since Saturday.

My first impressions have been very positive. Out of the box, fit and finish were excellent, everything right and tight, no rattles or wobble. My first experience using it was during a tree planting project in my neighborhood park, although for nothing more demanding than cutting a wire (easily) and slicing bagels for lunch (hard to believe that out of more than 100 volunteers, mine was the only knife among us :rolleyes:).

Since then, I have used all blades and implements (they work!), including the tiny screwdriver that in a previously owned Charge, never fit anything, including eyeglass hinges (could this be an :thumbup: omen?). Also unexpected; carried by accessory clip in my RF jeans pocket, the weight is hardly felt, and so comfortably nestled that just this morning I forgot it was on board until trying to stick my hand into the pocket. Awesome.

As for the long term, that remains to be seen. For now, it's all honeymoon :)
 
It will eventually rattle, but that's life.

People sometimes forget that the clips fit on the surge too; I agree with you, when it's clipped in a pocket you eventually don't even notice it. Just like a seatbelt, it eventually feels UNcomfortable to leave home without it.
 
znapschatz said:
...Since then, I have used all blades and implements (they work!), including the tiny screwdriver that in a previously owned Charge, never fit anything, including eyeglass hinges (could this be an :thumbup: omen?)...
Click to expand...

znapschatz, Are your Charge and Surge screwdrivers different? ...or do you have new eyeglasses? ;) The Surge and Charge use the same bit kits but I'm curious if there was a manufacturing change. Do you happen to know the manufacture dates (marked inside the handles) of your Charge and Surge? -Jake
 
supratentorial said:
znapschatz, Are your Charge and Surge screwdrivers different? ...or do you have new eyeglasses? ;) The Surge and Charge use the same bit kits but I'm curious if there was a manufacturing change. Do you happen to know the manufacture dates (marked inside the handles) of your Charge and Surge? -Jake
Click to expand...

Although the small screwdriver still doesn't fit my glasses, it worked well on a Crown Graphic camera screw to adjust the rangefinder. My Surge was dated 12/07. I no longer have the Charge, but recall it was from late 05. I'm fairly sure it was the same bit driver on each.

BTW, after cataract surgery, I no longer need those eyeglasses, anyway. :)
 
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