As one ends, A new one Begins... Surge 30 day Challenge.

[Poncho65]

New page banana man dance

         

[Poncho65]

Great work guys Just caught up on this and read all the comments and saw all the great pics

[Douglas]

So today is a return of Giants and friends...
Welcome back to The Nut Farm    Poncho
We all new it was just a short term pass...

[ThePeacent]

welcome back Pocho!!!   

[Douglas]

I've been asked to post my thaughts about the Challenge so FIRST I want to thank  because none of this would be possible with out all of you.  Second thanks goes out to the Sponsor of this event and his RAK in "Loaning" the Surge.  This would not have been possible with out you SIR. 
Now all of that out of the way let's get down to the nitty gritty...
Leatherman SURGE.  I'm sure most have heard the Swisstool has been on my hip for 20 years and that's Leatherman's fault.  It was originaly the Wave that got me to fall in love with the idea of a pliars based tool,  but it quickly let me down as I broke the handles on 3 in one year.  Then I found Victorinox made the Swisstool and untill the last month It has always been on my side.  That first experiance with Leatherman left a bit of a sour taste behind and allthough I loved the concept of OHO baldes I just could not bring myself to give them another try.  Three Strikes You're OUT!  The only place Victorinox ever fell sort was in the pouch.  Their pouch just was not up to what I needed, so for years I just would buy another pouch and move on.  Back around the first of the year I found a Master Leathersmith and through many emails, concept drawings and I'm certain frustration on his part I finaly pulled the triger on a custom pouch.   When my new pouch came in I had to find a place to share it's beauty where it would be apreciated and not mocked by those who are just ignorant.  That's how I found I had an entire FAMILY I no one ever told me about. 
I know, I know when is he going to get to the SURGE. 
Just hang in there, kick back and    it's coming....I promise.

[kottskrapa]

This has been a real treat to follow! I'm not sold on the bits but still looks like a really solid tool! Nice work everyone!

[It's not failure if you learn something from it]

[Douglas]

CHAPTER 2
Upon finding my new family I jumped right in, getting my flashlight merit badge with my very first post.    Soon I found I couldn't stay away just to much to catch up on. I was so hooked I even got a small case of ALOX POX... So far the only treatment I've found (an empty bank account) has been working but the withdrawls are horrible.  That all leads up to many Swisstool posts and convincing the Mods that we should have a merit badge for the Swisstool and 90 days worth of Swisstool posts in 60 days.  All while hosting a 4th of July party for 75, an August vacation trip from Texas to Mt Rushmore, South Dakota and a spinal fusion surgery on my dad.  Wow that was a lot going on.  I guess all that Swisstool raving  must have gott'n to one of the Leatherman guys because toward the end of the Swisstool challenge I recieved an offer to carry the mighty SURGE (remember I'm on Alox Pox treatment).  So I took up the challenge and so here we are...

I told you I would get to the SURGE...
Hang in there Still more to come.

[Douglas]

CHAPTER 3
I must admitt to being reluctant at first.  I know my Swisstoll and how it performs, even doing things there is no way the designers could have planned for.  I work taking broken things apart and putting them back together so thay work and the Swisstool has been daily, the most used tool I own.  It's been that way for the better part of 20 years so imagine the fear of not having it, Kinda like not having a hand.  I decided the only way I could do this was to leave the Swisstool locked up at home every day or I would never give the Surge a chance.  Upon arival my first impression of the Surge was a Wave on Steroids (not far from the truth).  This thing might actualy work.  My greatest reservations were the 2D bits, the saw/ file blade changer, limited outside tools and tool clumping.  To my surprise the 2D bits are awesome and made even better when my Sponsor sent me a new bit extender to use.  The extender is almost a whole tool on it's own (Impressive).  the Outside OHO knife blades are great even if I'm not a big fan of the SE type blade.  The blade exchanger system works exceptionlay well, the file is awesome both sides, the wood saw and hacksaw are exactly what they say, just wish it and the scissors were true OHO.  The scissors are quite good but not as agile as I had hoped.  The Pliar head is probabley the most impressive part of the whole tool.  I'm nnot a big fan of it's asthetics but it has a grip that is superior to all dedicated pliars with the exception of my Knipex.  The Surge can get a grip on nuts and bolts at least one size larger than the Swisstool and mabey two sizes up.  The wire cutter are better on hard wire but not quite as good for smaller stranded.  I'm still not sure about the changable cutter head but the idea is good for prolonging tool life.
Duty (Wife's (Danni) B-day weekend) Calls.
So more Later....

[Syncop8r]

the wood saw and hacksaw are exactly what they say, just wish it and the scissors were true OHO.

I can open either with a finger and thumb if using my right hand or just the thumb if using my left hand. 

[gerleatherberman]

Great stuff so far, Douglas!
I have enjoyed reading your impressions and joining in the challenge at the half way point!
I look forward to reading more!

[Douglas]

Thanks Guys.  Good to see some one is actualy reading all these mumbo jumbo ramblings.

the wood saw and hacksaw are exactly what they say, just wish it and the scissors were true OHO.

I can open either with a finger and thumb if using my right hand or just the thumb if using my left hand. 

Yes you are right I too have opened them this way, just not as fluant as the knife blades.

[Douglas]

CHAPTER 4
Now let's talk inside jokes TOOLS.  The duel side grind on the flat blades is awesome and it's nice that they are not highly polished.  Just makes for a better grip with out having to even slightly mod them.  The awl is awlsome and agressive but you don't have the control over hole size I'm used to.   The bit changer is great but very short so I must have the extender to use it for many of my aplications, one extra step and part to keep up with.  The can opener/ bottle opener/ wire stripper,  well it lacks a lot to be desired.  The stripper works well but might be better positioned on the large flat blade.  Not sure that would work but it's a thought.  The locks are great and easy to use.  Even with the good things (some better than the Swisstool) about the inside tools they're still inside.  I have to open the handles to get them out and to put them back.  Very frustrating after so long being able to get straight to what I need and switch between tools with minimal effort.  that brings me to the opening method of the inside tools "CLOGGING" drives me crazy!!!  I only want the tool I want.  I don't want to open them all only to dig out the ONE I need then have to put the rest back before I can use the one.  Oh I almost forgot the wire crimper.  That's one neat little feature for small guage wire that could be so much better if given it's due consideration in the design process.  I have to crimp a lot of wire, insulated and non-insulated high-temp and the crimper just is not up to many of the standard insulated terminals.  If it were, that would be a dream come true.  The ruler, well not practical at all and the over all design will not alow the Surge to be an efective impromptu hammer.
Over all the Month has been a resounding succes and I only had to go for other tools a few times more than normal.  Leatherman did a good job designing the Surge and I want to thank my Sponsor, he has now made my life even more diffricult.  I am now the proud owner of Two GIANTS of the multi tool world.  One, IN YOUR FACE PowerHouse, the other Polished, Debonair, Refined, and Elegant. SURGE or SWISSTOOL.   I now have to choose daily.  Thanks for the wonderfull Challenge and the new tool in my arsonal.  Now if we could just find a way to combine the best of both worlds.

[MusicMen]

CHAPTER 4
snip . .
That brings me to the opening method of the inside tools "CLOGGING" drives me crazy!!!  I only want the tool I want.

Great review      I do not have a Surge, but do have a Swisstool. I will have to keep an eye out for a used Surge.
BTW, it is clumping, not cloging. 

[Douglas]

CHAPTER 4
snip . .
That brings me to the opening method of the inside tools "CLOGGING" drives me crazy!!!  I only want the tool I want.

Great review      I do not have a Surge, but do have a Swisstool. I will have to keep an eye out for a used Surge.
BTW, it is clumping, not cloging. 

Thank you Sir.   I stand corrected.  It was my brain that was clogging  as the tools where clumping. 

[MusicMen]

CHAPTER 4
snip . .
That brings me to the opening method of the inside tools "CLOGGING" drives me crazy!!!  I only want the tool I want.

Great review      I do not have a Surge, but do have a Swisstool. I will have to keep an eye out for a used Surge.
BTW, it is clumping, not cloging. 

Thank you Sir.   I stand corrected.  It was my brain that was clogging  as the tools where clumping. 

[zoidberg]

Congrats Poncho65, gerleatherberman and Douglas, badges awarded.         

[gerleatherberman]

Thank you zoidberg!

Douglas,
You're observations seem to parallel my own when considering the surge and swisstool. I have found comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges. The differences are great,  but it really boils down to what you want on a daily basis and what you're used to using. Also, the amount of weight vs. strength, vs. toolset

[Douglas]

Thanks for the badge Zoidberg. 
Poncho and G-man thanks for the company and congratulations.
Everyone else thanks for the support and commentary, it's been fun. Hope my concluding book wasn't too bad , just a lot to say.   Now After running four 30 day challenges (120) days in 3 months I think I'll just hang out on the sidelines for a while.

[Poncho65]

Congrats Poncho65, gerleatherberman and Douglas, badges awarded.         

Thanks for that Zoid Wasn't even gonna ask for it since I did almost mess up mid way through but I will take it

[Poncho65]

Thanks for the badge Zoidberg. 
Poncho and G-man thanks for the company and congratulations.
Everyone else thanks for the support and commentary, it's been fun. Hope my concluding book wasn't too bad , just a lot to say.   Now After running four 30 day challenges (120) days in 3 months I think I'll just hang out on the sidelines for a while.

Twas a brilliant challenge Doug I had fun and am glad to have been able to help you out and loved reading your thoughts on it in the last several posts