After the Surge crash (splash)

Indrek · **on:** August 18, 2009, 11:59:28 AM

As some of you maybe remember in march 2009 NASA scientists spotted an Surge flying towards Estonia, and to prior calculations, it was going to hit the city of Tartu:

But luckily they were wrong and it landed with a big splash into the Baltic sea, near the Estonian coast. It was a mighty splash, but now one was seriously hurt, everybody just got little bit wet.
Here is a picture of the splash:

Using special transport the Surge was finally in April delivered to me:

and it has since then hanged on my belt:

The first impression was rather modest. I don't know what I expected (it's my first multitool), but I had to agree, that it does not replace my toolbox. I mean 'full size pliers' - the pliers in my tool box are much bigger, and twice as heavy (so what do you mean with "the Surge is big"):

And at all everything seemed to be much better be done with the proper tool, so why at all carry it. But with a little time I got used to hawing it at hand, and got used to the tools, happened a couple of times to be in situations were i leaved my tool at home, but missed it very much, and now i just happen to be constantly in situations were the surge is of great help - I have used the flat head screwdriver to fasten an 8mm allenkey of a swing at the play ground, used the allenkey bits of the extra set to fasten the loosened handlebars on my bike (at least so much as to get home), and the pliers to fasten the wheels of a children bike etc.
Sure, the handles of the pliers hurt the palm of the hand, it all has some flex, but its still unbelievably durable and handy.

I have to agree with all the minor critic - like the security torx issue, since the polts moved and begin to move again, when the tool gets a bit of wd40, so the regular blade actually feels too stiff to open, compared to the serrated blade. And "the plier tips catching and gouging on the inside handle tools when closing" etc., but i'm still really happy with what i got.

Its in a leather suite, which I like very much. But again the regular things, like horizontal carry and putting the pliers opened into the sheath is impossible... but i don't miss either.
One thing that i didn't find mentioned no where, is that the suite allows you to wear the the tool with the screwdriver opened, now that's a handy option! For example if you are on the road with you bicycle, and the gears need to be a little bit adjusted, you can to you adjustment and but the tool on the belt without closing the screwdriver, pedal a few test meters, grab the tool , make adjustments ... all without the hassle of reopening the pliers and fishing for the right tool:

A thing that was unexpected to me was that the color began to wear down immediately, after a week the sheath had serious wear marks, the black seemed to fade immediately, this has stopped for now some how, but it looks very worn, even thou it has only a few months of age.
Besides the Surge I have in the sheath "self composed" collection of extra screwdrivers, and the saw blade. I'm thinking of getting a small light, but haven't found a suitable yet (thinking about Maglite mini or Solitaire):

.

Woz · **Reply #1 on:** August 18, 2009, 12:04:57 PM

Nice review, great and funny pics! Thanks!

I´d suggest to go for a Fenix E01 or even a more powerfull light like a Tank007 - Maglites are quite outdated in my opinion.

Indrek · **Reply #2 on:** August 18, 2009, 12:24:40 PM

Quote from: Woz on August 18, 2009, 12:04:57 PM

I´d suggest to go for a Fenix E01 or even a more powerfull light like a Tank007 - Maglites are quite outdated in my opinion.

Thanks Woz. I just don't know nothing about lights, Maglight was the only one i was aware about.
Fenix has even an distributor in Estonia, and a reseller in Tartu, will have surely a look at it. They say it has "a good price" will see what that means.

Woz · **Reply #3 on:** August 18, 2009, 12:29:17 PM

The E01 is normally about 15 Euro. A LED light, not too bright, but much brighter than a Solitaire, well made and long battery life. Mine is running on the second battery after 15 months of daily short use.

Chako · **Reply #4 on:** August 18, 2009, 12:32:50 PM

Another idea would be a small Lenser. I have one that came with a COAST multi-tool. I am very impressed with this small keychain LED torch.

Loved the intro photographs.

Benner · **Reply #5 on:** August 18, 2009, 12:59:39 PM

Cracking pics mate.

BTW, Chako is currently on leet.

Indrek · **Reply #6 on:** August 18, 2009, 01:35:36 PM

Quote from: Chako on August 18, 2009, 12:32:50 PM

Another idea would be a small Lenser.

The Led Lenser P2 seems a good choice too. But I cant see water proofness mentioned? I don't want to go diving but still...
And the other thing is, that Led Lenser is distributed here by Leatherman, and I have rather bad experience with the Leatherman folks here. Or better said I don't have any experience with them at all, since when I was buying my multi they just ignored all my mails, and I finally ordered the tools from amazon (and got it cheaper besides the fact that i had to bay for a mediate firm, that made ordering from amazon.us possible), but I guess I will have give them another try.

Gareth · **Reply #7 on:** August 18, 2009, 01:46:51 PM

Superb shots mate.

You wouldn't go wrong with the Fenix E01 but you might want to consider the LD01. More expensive but far brighter and with three different light levels.

prime77 · **Reply #8 on:** August 18, 2009, 06:11:05 PM

Great review and very funny and original intro. I liked it.

Mr. Whippy · **Reply #9 on:** August 18, 2009, 06:18:53 PM

Excellent review. Really spot on regarding the differences between a MT and dedicated tool. Love the opening pics.

cliosguy · **Reply #10 on:** August 18, 2009, 06:43:11 PM

i enjoy reading the review mate

very funny intro

AHB · **Reply #11 on:** August 18, 2009, 07:24:59 PM

Great pictures & good review...

+1 on the Fenix E01..

Smitty44 · **Reply #12 on:** August 18, 2009, 08:47:36 PM

Welcome to the forums Indrek,great post,loved the opening.

&

WH867 · **Reply #13 on:** August 18, 2009, 11:39:44 PM

Quote from: Gareth on August 18, 2009, 01:46:51 PM

Superb shots mate. You wouldn't go wrong with the Fenix E01 but you might want to consider the LD01. More expensive but far brighter and with three different light levels.

+1 on the LD01.

665ae · **Reply #14 on:** August 19, 2009, 04:41:28 AM

Nice review!

Craig · **Reply #15 on:** August 19, 2009, 10:23:03 PM

Useful review, funny too

Indrek · **Reply #16 on:** August 31, 2009, 12:40:09 PM

Thanks to everybody for the good words and even better advise.

Got me an Fenix E01. The LD01 has more power and more features, but the difference in price seemed unreasonable because it's not compatible with the extra gear by Fenix, like the candle top, head band, bicycle mount, so I got me an LD10 and headband, as a bicycle light but also for getting heating wood from the shed in the dark winter to soon arrive.
The size and light output ratio is amazing on both. Don't have anything to compare them to, but I'm happy with what I got. The only thing I miss is a pocket clip on E01. And the only thing to complain about is that The E01-s light is strangely blue, but it doesn't really bother me.

Anyway need to update my EDC picture now

Deere Man · **Reply #17 on:** August 31, 2009, 05:11:31 PM

That's a great EDC setup. I also carry a Surge and an E01, but I drop the E01 in my pocket to save bulk on the belt sheath. I haven't found too much that combo can't handle.

Quote from: Indrek on August 31, 2009, 12:40:09 PM

The only thing I miss is a pocket clip on E01.

Fenix makes a pocket clip that fits all of their AAA lights. http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?products_id=184

I've got one on my E01 that I use for clipping it to my hat brim to serve as a head lamp, and it works great. It's not the highest quality thing in the world, but it's very functional. It would also keep the flashlight more secure in your Surge case.

J-sews · **Reply #18 on:** September 01, 2009, 05:23:52 AM

Welcome back Indrek, I liked your review and pictures

Wow, my Surge has a nylon sheath, I didn't know the leather sheath would look so roughed up after such a short time. $:-\$ Looks like it still functions okay though. $:-\$

MarekR · **Reply #19 on:** September 04, 2009, 12:05:02 PM

Quote from: Indrek on August 18, 2009, 01:35:36 PM

Quote from: Chako on August 18, 2009, 12:32:50 PM
Another idea would be a small Lenser.

The Led Lenser P2 seems a good choice too. But I cant see water proofness mentioned? I don't want to go diving but still...
And the other thing is, that Led Lenser is distributed here by Leatherman, and I have rather bad experience with the Leatherman folks here. Or better said I don't have any experience with them at all, since when I was buying my multi they just ignored all my mails, and I finally ordered the tools from amazon (and got it cheaper besides the fact that i had to bay for a mediate firm, that made ordering from amazon.us possible), but I guess I will have give them another try.

Hello Indrek,

I'm very sorry to hear about your experience. We looked through the old emails and couldn't find anything from your name. Maybe it got lost in the bits and bytes madness ?
Our new contact mail is info@leatherman.ee or you can contact me directly marek@leatherman.ee. I'm dealing with the warranty side as well.

We really like the pictures you posted at the beginning! Nice work.

For the rest of forum people - hello! We'll be trying to be as active in here as we can.

Best Regards,
Marek

Gareth · **Reply #20 on:** September 04, 2009, 02:37:52 PM

Welcome to the forum Marek.

Hello Lurker! Remove this ad and much more by logging in.

After the Surge crash (splash) - everything is back to normal.

Donations

Community Links