New Surge announced

[Grant Lamontagne]

Just got the Leatherman newsletter and guess what was at the top?

http://www.leatherman.com/3.html#start=27

Def

Sent from a digital multitool

[3rdpig]

I see it's got the ST 300 pliers, other than that it looks like the same tool.  I'm not a Surge owner, so what are the other changes I've missed?

[Nhoj]

I see it's got the ST 300 pliers, other than that it looks like the same tool.  I'm not a Surge owner, so what are the other changes I've missed?

No rubber on scissor thumb rest and no micro bit driver

[Grant Lamontagne]

They also announced the new Grind and Jam tools, as well as some LED Lenser products.

http://www.leatherman.com/s/leatherman/pockettools#prefn1=actionsports&prefv1=true

Def

Sent from a digital multitool

[CanadianLMfan]

The Jam and the red Style PS look great!

[captain spaulding]

While I have no use for the Grind I would have loved it when I skateboarded so I might buy one anyways. Should be relatively cheap as well.

[rdub934]

We've known about these for a while now - Leatherman should spend more time at Multitool.org!

Seems like Leatherman is behind the 8 ball. Lol

[Grant Lamontagne]

yes, it's funny when I meet manufacturers at SHOT and I know more about their products than they do.  I really put someone at one of the major brands through the ringer one day a while back, before they knew who I was.   

Def

[Zed]

  

[rdub934]

I never noticed before just now, but it looks like the handles have been reshaped. More similar to the Wave now.

[detron]

I never noticed before just now, but it looks like the handles have been reshaped. More similar to the Wave now.

Good eye,  I had to get my Surge out and look, but you are correct!

however, I liked the shape as it was, this to me is just a different look, not a better or worse one.

[ducttapetech]

Yeah, now that you mentioned it, they did change the handles.

sent from Nate's mobile

[Zed]

Yeah, now that you mentioned it, they did change the handles.

sent from Nate's mobile

Oh yeah  actually prefer it. 

[rdub934]

I just did a side by side comparison of pictures, it looks like this new handle shape will provide easier access to deploy the tools, as well as using slightly less material. I think it's a good change.

[mulou]

found it available online anywhere yet?

[duckman1975]

I think with a MUT or Supertool 300 pliers and some spare parts you can convert your old Surge to the new Surge
But I think I gonna buy me the new SURGE

[GearsNTools]

found it available online anywhere yet?

Yes I bought one off REI.com it came the next day.  It's a great tool I like most of the changes they made, I will miss the mini screwdriver bit set though. 

I'm a bit of a Surge Junkie, I have both versions now, I put up a YouTube video comparing the two in detail just for you guys 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09OrC-zhaPc&feature=c4-overview&list=UUIxNYWrCdqgcAVnoYun-aVA

[detron]

found it available online anywhere yet?

Yes I bought one off REI.com it came the next day.  It's a great tool I like most of the changes they made, I will miss the mini screwdriver bit set though. 

I'm a bit of a Surge Junkie, I have both versions now, I put up a YouTube video comparing the two in detail just for you guys 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09OrC-zhaPc&feature=c4-overview&list=UUIxNYWrCdqgcAVnoYun-aVA

thank you for giving us a side by side!  that is very helpful

[Etherealicer]

thanks for the video GearsNTools

[Grant Lamontagne]

I think with a MUT or Supertool 300 pliers and some spare parts you can convert your old Surge to the new Surge
But I think I gonna buy me the new SURGE

Possibly, but you'd pay the same amount (or more) for a MUT or ST300 to cannibalize for parts, so you might as well just get the whole, ready made tool.

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

found it available online anywhere yet?

Yes I bought one off REI.com it came the next day.  It's a great tool I like most of the changes they made, I will miss the mini screwdriver bit set though. 

I'm a bit of a Surge Junkie, I have both versions now, I put up a YouTube video comparing the two in detail just for you guys 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09OrC-zhaPc&feature=c4-overview&list=UUIxNYWrCdqgcAVnoYun-aVA

My guess on the change to the scissor handle and removal of the small eyeglass screwdriver were cost.  These were probably replaced with cheaper to produce items in order to offset the increased cost of the new plier head, so that the new Surge wasn't significantly higher priced than the old one.

Def

[Cupboard]

Do you think the "new" plier head will increase cost? I have a feeling that due to the replaceable cutters, fewer tools will be subject to warranty returns which would offset some of the cost increase.

Could be completely wrong though!

I prefer the inclusion of the small flat driver instead of the mini bit driver and have been thinking of doing a similar thing on my Wave. I've already got a small flat driver instead of the scissors so it would be an awl instead of the mini bit driver.

[enki_ck]

cca $100 seems like the going price. ($99.95 from REI, $99.85 from MoonTrail)

Wonder what the prices will be once they hit eBay.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I think it will. The new head has multiple components and different materials, both of which increase cost.  Costlier materials and increased assembly time mean a more expensive tool.

Def

Sent from a digital multitool

[bmot]

REI even seems to ship to Europe... for 40$ 

[AimlessWanderer]

Do you think the "new" plier head will increase cost? I have a feeling that due to the replaceable cutters, fewer tools will be subject to warranty returns which would offset some of the cost increase.

Could be completely wrong though!

I prefer the inclusion of the small flat driver instead of the mini bit driver and have been thinking of doing a similar thing on my Wave. I've already got a small flat driver instead of the scissors so it would be an awl instead of the mini bit driver.

I've said before, I see all the changes as a cost reduction exercise. The pliers reduce inventory by using the same as the ST300 plus reduce warrant claims, the plain driver, scissor mod and ability to use a standard saw blade all reduce costs. That said, I think they have gone about the cost reductions in a very good way which don't make the tool look or act like an inferior version of what was there before - they all reduce the lifetime cost of the tool to the company, plus look like upgrades so they can nudge the price up a little. Win-win for Leatherman, and the fan boys seem quite aroused by it too 

[Etherealicer]

REI even seems to ship to Europe... for 40$ 

Well, still 100$ cheaper than if you buy it in Switzerland. Double 

[bmot]

REI even seems to ship to Europe... for 40$ 

Well, still 100$ cheaper than if you buy it in Switzerland. Double 

True...
But still not cheap enough for me to buy it    I'll wait for the evilBay

[bdAmmo]

You will not have to wait long! A BO new Surge sold for about $80 shipped on ebay just the other day. Item number 161145115768, it sold pretty quickly.

[GearsNTools]

thanks for the video GearsNTools

My pleasure, 

good luck shopping folks, so many wants and never enough cash around my house.