The Urge for the Surge 30 Day Challenge in April

[Poncho65]

Glad you got one Nix.

 

[ducttapetech]

Here is a pic to hold you over Nix.

[Nix]

 

[gerleatherberman]

I'm still deciding. 

[Nix]

Choices...choices....  roll some dice: even stainless, odd BO.

[ducttapetech]

I'm still deciding. 

(Image removed from quote.)

Do the numbers, that how i know for sure. I think that black looks good on the SS Surge.

[gerleatherberman]

Choices...choices....  roll some dice: even stainless, odd BO.

Do the numbers, that how i know for sure. I think that black looks good on the SS Surge.

Thanks, guys!

I am still deciding on whether to participate in the challenge or not. I will be coming off of three months of challenges. If I do the challenge, it will be wit the SS Surge in the photo, as it is a user. I have the two-tone Surge, but that is a collection tool. 

[Wspeed]

Hope you can join us GLBM 

[gerleatherberman]

Hope you can join us GLBM 

Thanks, W!
Working myself into wanting to do it.

[Wspeed]

You know that you want to GLBM 

[Nix]

How would you not do a Surge challenge?  It's......a Surge. 

[ducttapetech]

Thanks, W!
Working myself into wanting to do it.

You know you want to........you know you have too.......

[Wspeed]

Carrying the Surge for Thursday Surgeday 

[Wspeed]

 if anyone else would like to join us 


01 - Wspeed
02 - Poncho65
03 - Pauldmmwc
04 - Nix (if he gets a Surge in time.)
05 - LoopCutter
06 - Borg (7 Day challenge level 1)
07 - SteveC (for at least a level 1)
08 - Fuzzbucket (if he can find a BO Surge in time )
09 - Jaypeebee
10 - MMR (if he stops being scared)
11 - Reamerpunch
12 - CsB (If he saves up his piggy bank)
13 - Ducttapetech
14 - Antti Lammi
15 - gerleatherberman (possibly)
16 - cody6268
17 -
18 -
19 -
20 -

[Poncho65]

Great pic Ws and great list of peeps for the challenge

[Wspeed]

Thanks Poncho 
I am quite surprised that we have that
many members on the list for this challenge 

[Nix]

My Surge arrived today, so I'm in!   

01 - Wspeed
02 - Poncho65
03 - Pauldmmwc
04 - Nix (with a BO surge)
05 - LoopCutter
06 - Borg (7 Day challenge level 1)
07 - SteveC (for at least a level 1)
08 - Fuzzbucket (if he can find a BO Surge in time )
09 - Jaypeebee
10 - MMR (if he stops being scared)
11 - Reamerpunch
12 - CsB (If he saves up his piggy bank)
13 - Ducttapetech
14 - Antti Lammi
15 - gerleatherberman (possibly)
16 - cody6268
17 -
18 -
19 -
20 -

[SteveC]

Where are the pics 

[Nix]

[Wspeed]

Nice one Nix glad you can join us 

[Nix]

Overall, I like it.

However, right off the bat, there are three points of concern:

1.  The scissors....or should we call them 'mini-shears'... ....are a bit loose. They do cut paper, thin plastic, and monofilament fishing line close to the pivot point, but not very well at the tips. My instant impression is that these scissors are decent and robust, but lack the precision of Victorinox scissors, even the Vic Swiss Tool scissors are better. I may try to peen these scissors to tighten them up a bit. It's a bit of a shame to get a brand new tool and feel the need to try to improve the provided tools.

2. The second issue is that the plain edge blade has a wacky grind. It has a big recurve in the center. I don't think this is intentional; I think it's poor quality control. The plain edge on my ST300 is far better:




The photo doesn't really capture the degree of recurve. Poorly done, Leatherman. I looked at this for a few minutes, contemplating sending it back for replacement. However, I don't think it really affects my ability to sharpen the plain edge (which was pretty sharp out of the box) and I'm going to use this Surge 'as it comes' for the challenge.

3. I think the awl design is too clunky. We'll see how it performs during the challenge, but it seems to me that an awl should be fairly narrow for punch holes in leather or canvass or drilling holes in wood. I'm not sure what the point of this awl is (no pun intended). But we'll see.

So, while I like the Surge overall, my initial reaction is one of disappointment. I think this is the most expensive Leatherman Multitool I own, but it feels like the lowest-quality Leatherman I own. Straight away, I started to think that I'd rather carry the ST300 or Swisstool. That's not a good first impression to have.   

[Poncho65]

Sorry to hear it, Nix Not thinking my blade is like that at all I will have to look

[Nix]

Awl part of the challenge, Poncho.   

[gerleatherberman]

My user Surge PE blade has a slight recurve as well. Has never hindered the performance in the least.

[Nix]

Some people think a recurve improves slicing and cutting.... 

I think I have a Charge with a bit of recurve in the blade, but not as significant as this. While recurve may have it's place for some tasks, I like straight section of blade in my straight edged knives.

[ducttapetech]

All of my Surges has had a slight recurve to them. Make for wicked slicers. Not sure what is up with the scissors, they are one of the best. Like you said, might be loose. The awl, just a different type of awl. The one on the Surge is push though sewing type. However it drills wood and plastic like a hot dame.

[Poncho65]

I am wrong mine looks exactly like that

[Nix]

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe that is the intentional grind.   

It might be a way to compensate for a blade losing it's edge.   

Regardless, it's not to my liking. And seems shoddy when compared to the excellent ST300 blade.  But, perhaps that is just me. 

[gerleatherberman]

It has to be intentional. I just checked my two-tone Surge and it also has the mild recurve.

[ducttapetech]

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe that is the intentional grind.   

It might be a way to compensate for a blade losing it's edge.   

Regardless, it's not to my liking. And seems shoddy when compared to the excellent ST300 blade.  But, perhaps that is just me. 

I am just the opposite, I thought the ST300 blade looked shoddy to the Surge blade. Funny how people see things differently.