Why do you love your Surge

[Etherealicer]

So I got this rather big lump of tool and I don't particularly like it. But instead of starting a flaming thread (I already had the pictures lined up), I thought, wouldn't it be better to learn to love the Surge?

Step 1: Give it a name so I can bond with it. Done, his name is Nimoy! It already gave me a love bite, so we are off for a good start
Step 2: Learn to appreciate Nimoy. With that I need your help.

What's the craziest thing you ever done with your Surge. Where did you think, surely it will break, but it pulled through. Show me your veterans, tell me about their battles. I'm also curious what it does so much better than the substantially lighter Wave.

In short what makes:

SURGE IS THE ANSWER TO EVERYTHING.

I agree.

[Aloha]

For starters lets not "compare" lest we want to have a full blown comparison.  We all should know there are no perfect MTs unless one has modded their own. 

Outside scissors.  If you use scissors this is a big plus.  While the cutting area could be larger I have not found them to be a bad pair at all.  I actually think they're quite good with or without plastic thumb pad. 

Blade exchanger. If you don't like it then nothing I can say will change that.  This one part IMO defines the tool.  The ability to add hacksaw blades or wood blades is tremendous.

154CM replaceable cutters.  Again if you don't cut much then it's not gonna matter.  I do know many love the Rebar for having them as well as the ST300. 

OHO blades.  A MT for me is about convenience so having a blade accessible in this manner just make sense.  Simple effective and can get stupid sharp not to mention a great shape.

Awl.  I can't count the times I've heard members moan about not having an awl on a MT. 

Bit holder.  This is the second tool to me that defines this particular MT.  The range of tasks that can be performed with the available bits from LM or adding the bit extender and using standard 1/4 bits is wonderful.

Size matters 

   

[Etherealicer]

Thanks Aloha,

I do like the Blade-Exchanger (its the reason why I bought it), in general I think this is a great idea. It adds a great deal of versatility. There is a trade-off, so having built in Wood and Metal saw is a great idea too.

So, since I don't use scissors all that much, one of the defining parts of the Surge is lost on me.

Keep 'em coming, its posts like this that help me understand
Also I think this is going to be great if someone wonders if he should buy a Surge.

[Kampfer]

It is got all the Bells & Whistles, with its adaptability (blade ex-changer & bit driver)  its capability is limitless, if you can carry it with all its accessories  .

[Obi1shinobee]

 

[Aloha]

Scissors are definitely a plus for many and OHO scissors are huge in that respect.  I think "trade offs" come with all MTs in my opinion so the strengths should out shine them for the tool to make the cut.

Weight for some is a problem so the Wave is a good compromise.  Some don't ever use the wire cutters so again Wave makes more sense. 

While close they both offer something different enough for one to consider one over the other.

Good topic.   

 

 

     

[tosh]

Can I just chime in...

I would actually edc the surge if it had blunt nosed pliers. I'm reluctant to mod mine simply because it would void the 25yr warranty and if I'm using it then it really does need its warranty.

Hopefully one day Leatherman will see sense and give us the option of plier heads. Until then mine will just sit in the cupboard as they are of no use to me whatsoever as they stand other than collection pieces.

What a complete waste of a good tool design - big burly tool loadout paired up with limited use needlenose pliers.

I'd laugh if it wasn't so tragic.

Stupid leatherman!

[Kampfer]

Can I just chime in...

I would actually edc the surge if it had blunt nosed pliers. I'm reluctant to mod mine simply because it would void the 25yr warranty and if I'm using it then it really does need its warranty.

Hopefully one day Leatherman will see sense and give us the option of plier heads. Until then mine will just sit in the cupboard as they are of no use to me whatsoever as they stand other than collection pieces.

What a complete waste of a good tool design - big burly tool loadout paired up with limited use needlenose pliers.

I'd laugh if it wasn't so tragic.

Stupid leatherman!

For $100 you can purchase extended warranty to cover hacked tools....

[Etherealicer]

Please tell me what you love about the Surge, the hating I can do myself just fine

I decided to EDC that monstrosity for a while... lets see.
Since its so heavy I decided to drop all my other carry (Folder, Midnight Manager).

[tosh]

Please tell me what you love about the Surge, the hating I can do myself just fine

I decided to EDC that monstrosity for a while... lets see.
Since its so heavy I decided to drop all my other carry (Folder, Midnight Manager).

Like I said, I love the heft of the Surge, it's my favourite leatherman without a doubt. The build quality is superb as day to day hard working tool......But, those pliers are simply pointless (no pun intended). Why would anyone carry such a beast if needlenose were what they needed. The wave is much better proportioned for delicate needlenose work.

Believe me, a blunt nosed surge with removable carbide cutters would find its way into EVERY trademans toolkit.

It would be amazing!!

[Demel]

Please tell me what you love about the Surge, the hating I can do myself just fine

I decided to EDC that monstrosity for a while... lets see.
Since its so heavy I decided to drop all my other carry (Folder, Midnight Manager).

Like I said, I love the heft of the Surge, it's my favourite leatherman without a doubt. The build quality is superb as day to day hard working tool......But, those pliers are simply pointless (no pun intended). Why would anyone carry such a beast if needlenose were what they needed. The wave is much better proportioned for delicate needlenose work.

Believe me, a blunt nosed surge with removable carbide cutters would find its way into EVERY trademans toolkit.

It would be amazing!!

Very true. I have a BN MP600 and it is fantastic. I can only imagine what a LM BN would be like. I don't have a surge but the lack of mini bit driver is great imo. I don't like it on the wave and if I could use bigger blades at work I would have a surge. So oho scissors and no mini driver is a plus.

[mr626]

Rather than go into specifics, I'll stick to more general comments.

I love my Surge because it is the MT I own that (when paired with bit kit, bit driver extender, extra blades etc) comes closest to having a 'full' toolkit on my belt. The only reason I don't EDC it is that my work attire for 80% of the year is business wear so it doesn't really work with that.

However, during holiday periods where dress code is more casual, the Surge is standard carry on my jeans.

My job is technically 'I.T' but in reality it has a whole bunch of other things thrown in- audio visual, telephony, cabling etc. In addition, I try and help out the grounds/maintenance team when I can. For all these situations, the Surge is king.

[zoidberg]

So what makes it better than a smaller MT?

Being bigger and stronger makes it one less thing I have to worry about.
I can go about fixing the problem without having to consider the tool.
There are plenty of times when my Surge has fixed what a smaller MT could not.

I too could hate on the Surge all day long. However IMO it has some great features.

Stranded Wire Cutter. Only found on the big boys and it is awesome. Handle side cutters smurfing rule.
Ruler Gripped Handles. These are the most comfortable. When you lay down some torque you really do appreciate them.
Man Scissors. Not some girly trim your nails or cut a thread type but real work scissors. Outside accessible and one hand open.
The Meaty Bones. Trust me here, weight is a very good thing. When it matters most a lighter MT will fail you.
Easily Repaired or Customized. Service damaged or broken tools yourself. Want blunt nosed pliers or 3d phillips...

[Syncop8r]

Bit holder.  This is the second tool to me that defines this particular MT.  The range of tasks that can be performed with the available bits from LM or adding the bit extender and using standard 1/4 bits is wonderful.

Bit holder? What bit holder?

 

[Syncop8r]

Hopefully one day Leatherman will see sense and give us the option of plier heads. Until then mine will just sit in the cupboard as they are of no use to me whatsoever as they stand other than collection pieces.

What a complete waste of a good tool design - big burly tool loadout paired up with limited use needlenose pliers.

I'd laugh if it wasn't so tragic.

Stupid leatherman!

I find it bizarre that you deem this tool useless just because it doesn't have blunt-nosed pliers.    It can still do SO MUCH.


EDIT: What about modding in another blunt-nosed plier head, so if you need to send it in you could (discreetly) mod the original needle-nosed back in?

[tosh]

Hopefully one day Leatherman will see sense and give us the option of plier heads. Until then mine will just sit in the cupboard as they are of no use to me whatsoever as they stand other than collection pieces.

What a complete waste of a good tool design - big burly tool loadout paired up with limited use needlenose pliers.

I'd laugh if it wasn't so tragic.

Stupid leatherman!

I find it bizarre that you deem this tool useless just because it doesn't have blunt-nosed pliers.    It can still do SO MUCH.


EDIT: What about modding in another blunt-nosed plier head, so if you need to send it in you could (discreetly) mod the original needle-nosed back in?

I meant useless to me.
I never ever need pointy pliers....ever!
When I need pliers it's usually because I'm applying brute strength, either gripping, twisting, bending, cutting etc etc.

All of those scenarios (except cutting) really do require blunt nosed pliers for added strength. The surge here in the UK retails around the £100 mark. I'm hardly going to subject it to a task it clearly wasn't designed for when I can use a cheap pair of pliers costing 1/10th the price to get the job done.

[dks]

To help a bit, here are some comparison pictures I posted a few years ago between 2 heavy duty multitools and two cheap pliers only tools, that show the differences between a regular tool and a multitool in construction strength and potential use. I have no problem using any of the pictured tools hard enough.

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,28212.0.html

[Etherealicer]

Back to the loving...

So far an uneventful day, used my Surge as paperweight, something it excels at. Also used the metal file to remove some sharp edge from a computer case. As expected that worked very well.

[sjdep97]

The Surge has been my EDC tool out of a collection of twenty or so other mt's for a long time. I love the heavy duty aspect and the large sharp blades are awesome. I am a regular user for the needle nose pliers but I would buy another Surge if the came with the blunt nose. Surge lets you do a lot of things with it that would severely damage other lesser tools. Removable carbide cutters would be great too.

The most important thing about this tool is having the right sheath to carry it in. I think the weight of this thing is what turns a lot of guys against it. Coupled with the poor quality sheaths that Leatherman puts out, the Suge becomes a real boat anchor on your belt. I bought a Skinth Magnum and all the sheath woes have ceased!

[Aloha]

Aside from LM finally making a blunt nose plier ( most would agree fantastic idea ) on their larger MTs the Surge is "flexible".  There's going to be a give and take inevitably with a tool designed to be a jack of all trades master of none.

I believe the customizability of LM tools is a huge win.  You don't like bit driver, replace it with something you do.  Yes it can get expensive but dedicated tools are too.  How much for several quality drivers, knifes, saw, pliers, wire cutters, etc?  We can all go buy CnC tools so lets not not compare something that wont be backed with a 25 year warranty.   

The Awl on the Surge is a multitool on its own.  The eye gives this tool added functionality as well the length and sheeps footish shape is great.

     

[Etherealicer]

[...]
The most important thing about this tool is having the right sheath to carry it in. I think the weight of this thing is what turns a lot of guys against it. Coupled with the poor quality sheaths that Leatherman puts out, the Suge becomes a real boat anchor on your belt. I bought a Skinth Magnum and all the sheath woes have ceased!

I use a Shield XL, fits the Surge, bit-extender, one bit-card, two spare t-shanks & Solitair LED with room to spare.

[Aloha]

My Surge has the ability to do this  ( see pic ) ...........  and boo fricken hoo you have to lug around a 12oz slab of steel plus extras.  What do all the comparable tools you'd need to carry weigh to have the same/better capability?

I had my  Dremel on me but by the time I found an outlet put the parts together I was done.  Right tool for the job?  YES! It got done.   

[BobG]

So it you want it to have blunt nose pliers, make them. Cut off what you don't want and make the tool serve the purpose you have for it.
Bob

[styx]

My Surge has the ability to do this  ( see pic ) ...........  and boo fricken hoo you have to lug around a 12oz slab of steel plus extras.  What do all the comparable tools you'd need to carry weigh to have the same/better capability?

I had my  Dremel on me but by the time I found an outlet put the parts together I was done.  Right tool for the job?  YES! It got done.   

And this is how you sir got me hooked

[HarleyXJGuy]

Someday...

[captain spaulding]

Sadly I have never owned a Surge. Maybe one day. I love the Wave so it only seems logical. I also want bigger scissors so again very logical. I also wish the Wave had a awl.

[Rossko07]

I laughed when I saw the thread title.

Where to start. Seriously I can't see Leatherman making a surge any better then it's current model.

I can't understand what all the hate is about the weight. I carry it on my belt everyday and it never bothers me and I'm not a big bloke.

For what it is, and that is a multitool, my opinion there is none better.

[zimchaz]

To make the surge better...dedicated 3d phillips and use it with the bit extender...opens up a whole new world of 6mm bits. Still need to find a BO ST300 to rob one from...

[Etherealicer]

My Surge has the ability to do this  ( see pic ) ...........  and boo fricken hoo you have to lug around a 12oz slab of steel plus extras.  What do all the comparable tools you'd need to carry weigh to have the same/better capability?

I had my  Dremel on me but by the time I found an outlet put the parts together I was done.  Right tool for the job?  YES! It got done.   

I think the metal saw is the best argument for the Surge. It's the one implement that won't last.

It appears that even for the Surge, weight is a touchy issue, maybe its female after all
Me I'm more curious what the extra weight brings to the table, hence this topic.

[Etherealicer]

I laughed when I saw the thread title.

Where to start. Seriously I can't see Leatherman making a surge any better then it's current model.

I can't understand what all the hate is about the weight. I carry it on my belt everyday and it never bothers me and I'm not a big bloke.

For what it is, and that is a multitool, my opinion there is none better.

I would like to see an utility blade for those days you have to cut messy/gluey stuff... I think it would also fit well with the versatile / replaceable theme.