Is the surge normally hard to close?

[Libertarian Man!]

So I just bought a surge from Wal-mart tonight, and I've noticed that one of the handles requires an extraordinary amount of effort to close. I've sprayed it with WD-40 and I've put machine oil on the pivot areas, but it hasn't really helped. Does it just need some breaking in time? Or do i need to buy the security TORX bit and loosen the pivot bolts? I've also noticed it makes a squeaking type noise when i close the aforementioned handle. Is this normal? Or am I just spoiled from going to this from a SOG Powerlock? 

[Poncho65]

First off welcome to the forum Libertarian Man

Second I don't believe it should be that hard to close (not having one myself ) Check to see if any of the tools are rubbing against the plier head if so then it may have to be sent in and worked on by LM  if not it may just need some time to work loose

Hope this helps if not I am sure someone more qualified to answer this will come along

[american lockpicker]

I would return it to Wal-mart they have an excellent return policy.

[Libertarian Man!]

I looked a two different Surges ,and they both seemed the same. I pretty sure I am just a spoiled multi-tool brat since the only brands I've used before were SOG, Gerber, and the Wal-mart one they sell in the camping section. I just saw a video on youtube where it looked like the guy was having the same problem as me, so I have a feeling that this is just normal. And it already feel like it's loosened up just a little bit.

[donvito]

I got my new (slightly used) wave recently and found a similar issue with one side (the plain edge fixed blade/file) being on the tougher side to close. Hope it resolves on its own. GL and welcome to the forum.

[NeitherExtreme]

I had a really stiff handle on my Surge as well. I actually took a little piece of sandpaper and sanded down the ramp (on the plier piece) a tiny bit. Works perfect now.

[cliosguy]

yeah, it happen to me too, the plier head hits the flat screw driver head, i guess ill have to do something about it, maybe NeitherExtreme  idea work for me too.....ill give it a try

UPDATE: now it works like charm(with the very same diamond coated file the surge pretty much fix it itself ), ill upload the photos tomorrow

here's the pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/cliosguy/SurgeProblemFixed# in the last one, maybe isnt to clear, but the flat screw driver head already scratch the plier head

[Smitty44]

Welcome to the forums Libertarian Man.

[original man]

The handles are designed so that one of them is a bit stiffer than the other, it helps closing the tool.

[Sea Monster]

My surge is kinda hard to close, not truly challenging but enough that you have to think about it a bit when trying to pocket it one handed and your mind somewhere else.


It has improved a bit with use and lubricant.

[duckman1975]

Welcome to the forum! The SURGE is like a diesel truck the longer you use it the better its performance 
I say give it time to loosen up

[David Bowen]

My personal issue with the surge on closing is it catches on the tools inside while closing. When I press it hard enough to close it makes a huge snap sound. As for moving the handles, I feel that it's normal. It should take a considerable amount of pressure to release a tool from the open position.

[Libertarian Man!]

Okay, just tried it today and it appears the WD-40 and the machine oil I sprayed on last night has worked over the tie period of a day to loosen it up. It's still stiff, but not to the point of where I'm grunting to close it in a hurry. Either that or my hands just got stronger over-night.

[cliosguy]

My personal issue with the surge on closing is it catches on the tools inside while closing. When I press it hard enough to close it makes a huge snap sound.

thats exactly my problem but now is solved by the very diamond coated file of the surge:

[SteveRacer]

My personal issue with the surge on closing is it catches on the tools inside while closing. When I press it hard enough to close it makes a huge snap sound.

Thank you greatly !!!           

I thought I was the only one with this problem.  I was going to mention it heavily in my upcoming review.  Did I miss this in all the Surge reviews I've read?  I don't recall reading any mention of this ...  until now !   

Mine catches when the flat bit is installed as a phillips.  The "needle nose" part of the plier hangs in the cross of the phillips bit.  I've forced it shut a few times, with the dreaded "SNAP!" (before I knew what the problem was) and now the phillips side of the bit has a small gouge.  I've also seen it hang on the eyeglass screwdriver on the other handle.  

Mine was like this fresh from the factory, so I don't think my particular tool is out of whack.  It's a small but signifigant design flaw.

My only "solution" so far has been to make sure both handles are closing evenly ... the piers have to come off the "stiff" part of the ramps that tighten up the handles at the same time.  A bit hard to explain (and not always easy to do) but if you're a Surge owner it will hopefully make sense.  Keep the plier head centered between the handles as you close, and don't let it bias to one handle or the other.  Eventually the plier head extends past the point of tool interference and closes without a hitch.

No real permanent damage or issues; I love this multitool.  Still, to me it's a huge flaw in what should otherwise be the ultimate from Leatherman.   

-steve



P.S.  Welcome to the forum, Libertarian Man.   As a fellow Libertarian, and paranoid armchair conspiracy theorist, perhaps Big Brother has vainly attempted to sabotage our mighty Surge multitool.    THEY FEAR ITS POWER  ....