Rattles & Identifying Old vs New Surges?

max6166 · **on:** July 13, 2008, 03:06:20 AM

If I understand correctly, the old Surge rattled, but the newer Surges don't. Is there any way to tell the difference between the old and new Surges visually? Does anyone know what change were made to stop the rattling? Is it possible to stop the rattling on old Surges?

Anthony · **Reply #1 on:** July 13, 2008, 03:17:58 AM

The newer ones should have a little tab inside the plier handles for the plier head (when closed) to rest against, I don't think the older ones had that in there...could be wrong though.

Leatherman123 · **Reply #2 on:** July 13, 2008, 03:19:09 AM

Well, I am all for Corrugatged's theory.. You could also look in the handles and you will see a date code..

max6166 · **Reply #3 on:** July 13, 2008, 03:33:34 AM

Thanks for the info, guys.

It sounds like that tab in the handle would only be visible upon close examination. I was hoping there would be some easy way to spot the difference externally when looking at eBay photos, etc.

I take it no one figured out a way to "de-rattle" an old Surge then. That's too bad. Could someone give more info about the rattling? How bad is it? Does it happen when you are just walking around?

J-sews · **Reply #4 on:** July 13, 2008, 04:36:26 AM

I'm holding two Surges in my hands right now, one from 2005 and one from 2008. The old one rattles, the new one doesn't. (For the record, neither one has seen any significant use)

The source of the rattles on the 2005 one seems to be from two places:

1) The exchangable diamond file doesn't fit quite tightly in its receptacle. A little pinching of the metal and this problem is all fixed.

2) The entire plier head seems to rattle against the sides of the handle channel when the tool is folded up for carry. It doesn't feel loose, but it must be. I'm not sure how this would be best fixed.

DaveK · **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2008, 02:21:21 AM

Well mine is date stamped 0307 and has the little tabs in the handles.

It does 'rattle' a bit, and close examination reveals that it is caused by lateral play in the handles - I'll try to explain.

If you lie the toll down on a flat surface, in the closed position, it is possible to lift one of the handles slightly off the surface whilst holding the other handle flat. This 'play' is only very slight, but enough to make the plier head in the closed position to touch the handle.

If you hold the tool in your hand, clasping the two handles together, then there's no rattle at all, even if you really shake it.

Leatherman123 · **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2008, 03:41:38 AM

Hmm, one of my SURGE tools has the same date codes and no play at all! Good explanation though!

J-sews · **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2008, 02:56:09 PM

There doesn't seem to be any visual way to pick out the rattlers from the non-rattlers.

max6166 · **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2008, 08:10:59 PM

Can you pick out the rattlers by shaking the package? Or maybe just shaking the tool?

I am still not sure when exactly the old Surges rattle. Does it rattle in a sheath when you are walking? Does it rattle when you use it? Do you have to shake it really hard to get a rattle, or does it rattle even with minor movement?

Leatherman123 · **Reply #9 on:** July 20, 2008, 08:28:51 PM

The SURGE rattling is not really a big deal. It only rattles when you hold the tool by one handle and shake it.. Believe me, the rattling does not affect function. This is similar to the SwissTool locks not being a solid lock up.. It's annoying, but it doesn't affect anything!

max6166 · **Reply #10 on:** July 20, 2008, 08:56:43 PM

The older Surges only rattle when you open it up and shake it while holding one handle!? That's it? Well, that's not a big deal.

I had gotten the impression that it was some jangling, clanging beast that rattled with every step and touch.

Thanks. That is still useful to know though.

I wonder how they got rid of the rattle then. DaveK's Surge has the tabs in the handles and rattles, so that wasn't the cure.

If the lateral play in the handles is the cause, perhaps the newer versions shouldn't have any lateral play? There must be at least some detectable difference...

Leatherman123 · **Reply #11 on:** July 20, 2008, 09:05:33 PM

No, it only rattle when the tool is in the closed position. Oh, and one of my SURGE tools rattled because of the blade exchanger. The saw/file didn't fit in there right- so it rattled.. I bought a new saw/file set and it fits wonderfully! (That was a long time ago! Like going back to my first SURGE!!!

J-sews · **Reply #12 on:** July 20, 2008, 09:18:35 PM

Okay, I did a little video of the Surge rattle effect. Its over a minute long, so you may want to drink some strong coffee in order to stay awake until the end.

Tarrodemierda · **Reply #13 on:** July 20, 2008, 09:35:18 PM

and the directors cut will have some deleted scenes and different ending versions?

i havent ever seen or heard those rattlesurges,and luckily my own is very silent fella.

max6166 · **Reply #14 on:** July 20, 2008, 09:35:30 PM

Quote from: J-sews on July 20, 2008, 09:18:35 PM

Okay, I did a little video of the Surge rattle effect. Its over a minute long, so you may want to drink some strong coffee in order to stay awake until the end.

Thanks very much, J-sews! Your video cleared it up completely for me. Excellent explanation.

What does it say about me that I found the entire thing completely captivating?

I could see exactly what you meant when you grabbed the handles at the ends and twisted them to make the rattle.

To be honest, that rattle does put me off a bit. At least enough that I would want to make sure to get a newer model.

My best guess would be that the newer handles don't twist in the same way and that there is some subtle difference in the pivot. Of course, my guess is really just a complete shot in the dark since I don't even own one!

Anyway, thanks again for taking the time for that great demo. I am sure others will find it valuable too!

J-sews · **Reply #15 on:** July 20, 2008, 09:50:27 PM

Truth be told, years ago when I first got that Surge I thought the rattling was just a fluke. Perhaps mine was the only one that rattled? But then reports started coming in that ALL the early ones rattled.

But now they don't. Must be Leatherman fixed whatever the problem was.

Leatherman123 · **Reply #16 on:** July 21, 2008, 03:25:03 AM

Bob, your SURGE rattles a lot more than any of my older ones! Maybe yours is defective or something!

Benner · **Reply #17 on:** July 21, 2008, 05:27:39 PM

Quote from: Leatherman123 on July 21, 2008, 03:25:03 AM

Bob, your SURGE rattles a lot more than any of my older ones! Maybe yours is defective or something!

That seemed the same as Def's.

Leatherman123 · **Reply #18 on:** July 21, 2008, 10:15:36 PM

Hmm, that's quite odd. They rattle a lot more than any of mine then..

Benner · **Reply #19 on:** July 21, 2008, 10:40:37 PM

Quote from: Leatherman123 on July 21, 2008, 10:15:36 PM

Hmm, that's quite odd. They rattle a lot more than any of mine then..

Leatherman probably made yours a little better because you keep going on about them.

Leatherman123 · **Reply #20 on:** July 21, 2008, 10:49:19 PM

Indeed they did! My SURGE also sports: titanium handles, 154cm knife steel (on both blades), and a lifetime warranty!

Hoghead · **Reply #21 on:** July 22, 2008, 09:41:16 PM

J-sews,

In your video, you stated that the rattle in the blade exchanger could be easily fixed. How would you fix it? Thanks!

max6166 · **Reply #22 on:** July 22, 2008, 09:45:11 PM

Near the start of this thread, he mentioned that it could be fixed by just pinching the holding part a little tighter I think...

Hoghead · **Reply #23 on:** July 22, 2008, 10:37:33 PM

Quote from: max6166 on July 22, 2008, 09:45:11 PM

Near the start of this thread, he mentioned that it could be fixed by just pinching the holding part a little tighter I think...

Thanks! I went back and reread it.

From J-sews eairler post:
"1) The exchangable diamond file doesn't fit quite tightly in its receptacle. A little pinching of the metal and this problem is all fixed."

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Rattles & Identifying Old vs New Surges?

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