New Surge Review

[JAfromMn]

I got loaned a surge for a indefinite amount of time and that's fitting since this review will also be for a indefinite amount of time.

First thought

Fit and finish is lacking.

[AimlessWanderer]

Good start    Fit and finish worse/better than your initial impressions with the MP600?

[Monrogue]

Yay, another ongoing MT review from Joel   And that's not sarcasm...I am interested as I have been with the others

[ducttapetech]

I got loaned a surge for a indefinite amount of time and that's fitting since this review will also be for a indefinite amount of time.

First thought

Fit and finish is lacking.

What is wrong with it?

Nate

[styx]

so fit and finish are better of the MP600 and ST300?

[Kampfer]

new surge or old?

[JAfromMn]

New surge and for the question is the fit and finish worse than the mp600 I got to say yes it is.



The bolster with the clip is lose and the plane edge blades lock up is terrible.  Lots of front to back movement.



besides those two issues and the Surge being way to heavy I like it.

It has been working great so far today.

I'll update more later.

[ducttapetech]

Saddly, LM won't fix the bolster problem. It is an easy fix. As far as the blade goes, it should tight with no play at all.

Nate

[Crow]

 

[styx]

this is gonna be interesting to see since you got enough mileage with other heavy Leatherman tools

[babola]

Thanks for another incoming in-depth review, Joel.

I'd really be keen to find out what really was behind your comment on Surge vs MP600 fit & finish.

I have had both tools (both BO) for over a year, and I'm afraid I have to say the MP600 has nothing over Surge when it comes to fit & finish, nothing at all. 

My Surge also came with slightly loose serated blade, 1/4 of a pivot screw turn fixed that and it's as solid as the rest of the OHO blades on it.

Let's hear more of your thoughts on the subject...thanks. 

[JAfromMn]

First day using the Surge thoughts

1.  it's heavy . To heavy maybe.  I probably noticed it's weight more because I was carrying it with a pocket clip.

2. I like it's outside opening scissors.  They are a little stiff and I got to open them with a little force to get them to fully lock open. I'm sure that they will break in after I use them more. Nice size to use


3. The saw holder that's also the file holder is something that may be the best or worst part of this tool.  I need to build a kit of blades for it. I'm not sure how I feel about my file not being a fixed part of my tool. I don't know if it will make a difference or not 

4. THE SLOPPY PLANE EDGE BLADE SUCKS. The folded piece of steel that is used as its backstop was made to short by a 1/16 of a inch or so. The liner lock stops where it should on the blade but the  little bit steel missing in the  backstop means it has lots of front to back play.

5. The clip doesn't fit well and moves around but it won't come off and hasn't been a issue yet.

6. It just feels huge.  The blades may bee too long for me. I never thought I'd say something like that 
 
7. I like it's inside tools. The 2 flat drivers are the size I use  often, the awl is large but not overly so. The can opener has the built-in wire stripper leatherman builds in "I like the can opener wire stripper but I'd get more use from a bottle opener wire stripper" the bit driver I'm still unsure about.  I got hopes it will work out for me but the way I feel now I'd prefer a Phillips that can use the bit holder. 

8. Flawless grind and lock up on the serrated blade
 It came extremely sharp.

As for what I did with the new surge today I cut some tape, plastic wrap and zip ties with the plane edge blade . I cut some heat tape wire . I like the cutters." I missed leatherman's replaceable cutters"  I used the pliers to pull some 15inch pieces of Rebar out of the ground. the large handles worked good to get a grip with 2 hands. Sometimes a big tool works better some times they just feel heavy in my pants 

IL try get some pics. It's been a busy day. I was moving dirt .

[powernoodle]

Good stuff.  As someone who doesn't need an MT but just likes to carry one, the portly size and weight of the new Surge make it something I won't carry on a regular basis.  But I admire those same aspects too.  Its a beefy momma for sure, like Honey Boo Boo's mother Momma June (I had to look it up).  Speaking of which, maybe you need to name this thing so it doesn't get its feelings hurt.

As for you giving the MP600 better fit and finish marks than the new Surge, that's a real shocker to me. I would give the Gerber a 3 and the new Surge a 9, but I can understand how your example's wiggly blade was a downer.  My first Wingman had a loosey goosey scissor that would not lock open, which caused me to give the whole tool a thumbs down, though everyone else's seemed to be just fine.

[JAfromMn]

This is the only decent pic I could get. It got to dark on me.



The folded metal backstop is just a hint shorter on the plane  edge blade than the scissors

I'll try get a better pic tomorrow but this one you can kinda see.

[styx]

could it be that this is just a one of a kind issue that simply doesn't go trough the whole Surge production line

[ducttapetech]

could it be that this is just a one of a kind issue that simply doesn't go trough the whole Surge production line

It does not go through the whole Surge line. New or old Styles. All three that I have owned came tight. Others here are good as well.

Nate

[zoidberg]

2. I like it's outside opening scissors.  They are a little stiff and I got to open them with a little force to get them to fully lock open. I'm sure that they will break in after I use them more. Nice size to use

As a lefty its pretty easy for me but try my oho style.
Push scissors out with thumb against the spring.
Pull thumb back down and scissors open.
Put thumb back on scissors under the spring and finish pushing it open.
Its a one two three up down up movement.

[JAfromMn]

[Monrogue]

Ha, cool pic man

[Kampfer]

all four outside tools n my Surge is perfect!

[harronek]

With my Surge and a big enough hammer there is nothing I can't achieve 

The blade issue would be fixed immediately by Leatherman if you contacted them .
I own many Leatherman tools ( including two Surge's ) and have never had a issue with any of them in regards to quality .
I have called on their backup service twice now to repair broken parts , to be honest those were my fault , but the tools were fixed or replaced no questions asked .



Ken

[styx]

could it be that this is just a one of a kind issue that simply doesn't go trough the whole Surge production line

It does not go through the whole Surge line. New or old Styles. All three that I have owned came tight. Others here are good as well.

Nate

that's reassuring

[babola]

It does not go through the whole Surge line. New or old Styles. All three that I have owned came tight. Others here are good as well.

Nate

Same here, own both the S/S and BO new-2013 model Surges, solid as. One of the blades had a little play out-of-the-box, but after minor re-tightening of the pivot screws all fell back into place, so to speak.

There really isn't any other MT that stands up to Surge overall, IMO. Its only cons are weight and size but I use the Surge in a more heavy-duty situations where I wouldn't use Wave or Rebar for example, so for me that's not a con but bonus.

cheers.

[JAfromMn]

I like it even though he weighs to much

He was hanging on my pocket all day.

I am liking it's tool load out more and more.

Excellent snack opener.

[JAfromMn]

These are some of the best scissors I've used in any multitool.

[JAfromMn]

Here you can see how uneven the backstop are from one Handel to another.

[zoidberg]

These are some of the best scissors I've used in any multitool.

Yeah thats why this had to happen. 

[zoidberg]

Here you can see how uneven the backstop are from one Handel to another.

Can you show the gap with the knife open?

[JAfromMn]

Here you can see how uneven the backstop are from one Handel to another.

Can you show the gap with the knife open?

I tried
 I took a few different pics
 This one turned out the best but still



it is worse than the pic looks

[detron]

Here you can see how uneven the backstop are from one Handel to another.

Can you show the gap with the knife open?

Yup I took a few different pics



it is worse than the pic looks

sorry to hear this (and now see it)  it is amazing how huge an impact such a small defect makes.