The SURGEon

[JAfromMn]

THE Surgeon

My thoughts and use of the new leatherman surge.

I Got a review going to Handel the facts this is just my bs thoughts.



I like this tool it may be to big but his strength makes up for his weight problem.

I haven't been carrying my normal large folding knife because the Dr is a great cutter there really isn't a reason to carry one
 Also my saks  are getting some more pocket time  the Surge and a sak work great together.






How long this topic will last I don't know.  I'm going to keep bringing the Surge to work until I break it or I want\need to switch up different tools.

I won't be carrying him after work I'll be working with my other tools and toys.

 This topic Won't be about anything that doesn't relate to the Surge it's accessories and there use. I got so many other topics here to take part in

 Here goes nothing

[JAfromMn]

Dr Zoidberg asked in my review about the scissors and how I was getting along with them

We'll Doc they took the micra/es4 out of my work carry that'd got to tell you alot.

I'm getting along with them very well.  It's nice to have one hand opening scissors.  They have come in handy a few times already.

they have worked great for everything I've cut with him. Plastic clamp packs, light wire, cardboard,  snacks,  tape etc



 

[babola]

Thanks mate...this is going to be an interesting thread.

BTW, does uneven BO finish bug you?

It drives me mental that one of the bottom solid S/S inserts at the bottom of the scales is almost silver S/S while the other 3 are all deep black.

How could this pass the QC? I know for the fact that although most of the Surge's parts are manufactured in Asia and the consistency of finishes has been hit-and-miss in recent years in general, the tools are actually put together by LM US employees in Oregon.

 

[JAfromMn]

Thanks mate...this is going to be an interesting thread.

BTW, does uneven BO finish bug you?

It drives me mental that one of the bottom solid S/S inserts at the bottom of the scales is almost silver S/S while the other 3 are all deep black.

How could this pass the QC? I know for the fact that although most of the Surge's parts are manufactured in Asia and the consistency of finishes has been hit-and-miss in recent years in general, the tools are actually put together by LM US employees in Oregon.

 

Mine was coated well to begin with but the finish wore off the bolster fast.

It's got to be there trying to use black oxide on aluminum when aluminum should be ionized. 

I'm no expert on coating metal but you would think they would use something that wears better.

And to answer your question yes it bugs me.

[harronek]

I've owned just about every type of Leatherman over the years and in my view as a " Work Tool " all the others are just pretenders .
The Surge is the " one stop shop " of Multitools .
There only problem with it and you have have already touched on it , is that it really does make your other folders redundant . 


Ken

[babola]

Mine was coated well to begin with but the finish wore off the bolster fast.

It's got to be there trying to use black oxide on aluminum when aluminum should be ionized. 

I'm no expert on coating metal but you would think they would use something that wears better.

And to answer your question yes it bugs me.

Thanks, I didn't know the bottom stops are Aluminum-made, for some reason I alwats thought those are made of solid pieces of S/S.

That explains the finish wearing off, though.  What's a little confusing in my case is that the other 3 are actually good and come with even black finish.

Oh well, never mind, the rest of my BO Surge is getting that worn-off patinaed look slowly so it doesn't really matter.

Cheers.

[Monrogue]

I would probably really like the Surge if it wasn't so large/heavy.  I like the outside scissors. 

[JAfromMn]

I would probably really like the Surge if it wasn't so large/heavy.  I like the outside scissors.

They really should offer this same tool set in charge.

[babola]

I would probably really like the Surge if it wasn't so large/heavy.  I like the outside scissors.

They really should offer this same tool set in charge.

Or maybe rumored Gen 3 Wave...wishful thinking

[Monrogue]

I would probably really like the Surge if it wasn't so large/heavy.  I like the outside scissors.

They really should offer this same tool set in charge.

I agree, or at least some version in the 4" size,

[babola]

Yeah a more compact 4" package with the same Surge set arrangement would be a killer product.

But Leatherman will be looking at this from purely business perspective and try avoid affecting their current Wave/Charge/Surge product line, avoid 'killing its own children' so to speak.

There has to be a clear differentiator and perceived benefits from the customer point of view between their 4" (medium) and 4.5" (heavy duty) products.

[zoidberg]

Nice one buddy. 

[kirk13]

Joel,you say your SAKs are getting more pocket time(never a bad thing ) but which SAKs and why? When you were using Mr Blunt I could see where a SAK would be a great complement,but I curious what needs to complement a Surge?

[JAfromMn]

Joel,you say your SAKs are getting more pocket time(never a bad thing ) but which SAKs and why? When you were using Mr Blunt I could see where a SAK would be a great complement,but I curious what needs to complement a Surge?

I'm carrying a electrician.  I use it for clean jobs . It replaced my one hand folder with it.

I think it's smaller blades complement the Surge well.

The Surgeon is a excellent cutter.

slicing 6 mill plastic today.

[JAfromMn]

After I got ground plastic down I installed a few water meters with the surgical staff's help of course.

[zoidberg]

Good to see him earning his keep. 

[JAfromMn]

I cut down about a half a dozen spruce trees with the Surgeon's factory saw blade and it works very well . It made east work of cutting the sticky sappy tree's down
 

It was also easy to clean up

[JAfromMn]

I'm really getting along great with this tool.


It's become a fast favorite. 

It had a good size and tool set for what I use my multitool for.

[Monrogue]

Glad to hear you're enjoying it Joel   How is the size of the saw/file compared to the Wave or other tools you've used?

[Kampfer]

I'm really getting along great with this tool.


It's become a fast favorite. 

It had a good size and tool set for what I use my multitool for.

I expected that.

[AimlessWanderer]

I'm really getting along great with this tool.


It's become a fast favorite. 

It had a good size and tool set for what I use my multitool for.

The Surge is far from an ideal tool for me, and one I've never been tempted to own. Too big and too heavy, and tools I don't have enough call for day to day, but I can really see how this could be an ideal tool for you in your job, Joel.

I know I can be a little harsh on Leatherman at times  and have had several gripes with many of their offerings, but these heavy duty tools are where the company really shines. The Gerbers I carry so regularly which confine my LMs to so much drawer time, are great for what I face in my daily routines and for me outshine Leatherman's offerings, but I'd certainly move a lot more towards LM (and my Vic Swisstool) if I was facing your daily grind 

[babola]

I'm really getting along great with this tool.


It's become a fast favorite. 

It had a good size and tool set for what I use my multitool for.

The Surge may be large and heavy for an occasional user and those after a tool to EDC, but there really isn't a multi tool that belongs to heavy duty group which can better the "mighty Surge", IMO

[Lichtbote]

The Surge may be large and heavy for an occasional user and those after a tool to EDC,

Why that?

I do carry it as my EDC - sometimes changing it out with the OHT, which isn´t so much smaller or lighter, too. Works like a charm, nothing to complain.

I wouldn´t even mention Gerber in the same sentence with the mighty Surge. 

[babola]

The Surge may be large and heavy for an occasional user and those after a tool to EDC,

Why that?

I do carry it as my EDC - sometimes changing it out with the OHT, which isn´t so much smaller or lighter, too. Works like a charm, nothing to complain.

I wouldn´t even mention Gerber in the same sentence with the mighty Surge. 

You don't consider yourself as an "occasional user" do you? 

Surge is massive for most to carry around every day, except for some of us who are really into it or people like Joel who actually uses it every day at work.

I have two Surges, S/S and BO. S/S is in my Skinth XL and it's part of a dedicated 'toolbox in a sheath' solution I use around the home and garage.

BO I take with me on multi-day camping and trekking, it's the only LM I trust when away from home for more than 2 days. Otherwise Wave, Rebar and Skeletool are picked on shorter outdoor advantures and as EDC.

That's me, others may differ of course.

Cheers 

[Lichtbote]

You don't consider yourself as an "occasional user" do you? 

Sure i do. 

While i carry a MT with me nearly all the time, i only use it as a "small and always available tool backup", for the small tasks i´m to lazy to go and get "real" tools.

My usual EDC around each day is the OHT, but atm that is stored away partly disassembled as i´m still looking for bigger BO parts (saw and serrated blade) to upgrade it. So i carry my Surge as EDC atm. Usually the Surge is my EDC for the days i work in or around the house/garden or at friends places. Under the line both get 50/50 of the carrying time.

The Skeletool gets carrying time only when i have to be dressed up (office/meeting, other places i want to be low profile).

The Gerber 600 is only used when i need a tool to loan to someone, that way i don´t feel bad when a damage happens. And if i maybe need a MT in a extreme muddy or otherwise bad environment - then i will choose the 600, too.

The few other MTs i have are not worth to mention as i don´t use them considerable.

[JAfromMn]

Have I ever said that I like leatherman's replaceable cutters.

They do really cut better than any other tools cutters I've used.

[Monrogue]

Have I ever said that I like leatherman's replaceable cutters.

They do really cut better than any other tools cutters I've used.

You may have mentioned it once or twice

[babola]

Someone is slowly being converted over to the Dark side...LOL!

Your commentary and good vibes directed towards the LM Surge were to be expected, though

It's a heck of a tool, hard to be faulted.

[BobG]

Joel, I'm left handed, I love my ST300 and while I've been very interested in the Surge, I haven't bought one because I'm a lefty. Do you have any feel for how the Surge work for someone like me? I have never been able to handle one, only look at pictures so it's really hard to know.
Bob

[zoidberg]

Joel, I'm left handed, I love my ST300 and while I've been very interested in the Surge, I haven't bought one because I'm a lefty. Do you have any feel for how the Surge work for someone like me? I have never been able to handle one, only look at pictures so it's really hard to know.
Bob

FWIW I have no issues using the Surge because I'm left handed.