LEATHERMAN Surge 21-in-1 Heavy-Duty Multi-Tool, Black | Spring-Action Scissors, Replaceable Wire Cutters & Saw for Work, Home, DIY & Auto, 25-Year Guarantee

Another fine Leatherman product. This is my second Leatherman Multi-Tool and feel I can't live without one, just as much as needing a cell phone. Basically I am a handyman by trade and although I think this Surge is a great tool, I find I use my new model Super Tool 300 most often because the file and saw are better than on the Surge. I will review this product according to my top questions relating to my research/purchase: model, purchase date, seller/price, specs, quality/personal uses. Model: Leatherman Surge Black Oxide with Molly Sheath I received the newest model with the replaceable cutter blades, which was a concern for me, as well as many others.' Purchased from The Outdoor People, fulfilled by Amazon. Update 11-2014: Beware! I was updating my review and I noticed the seller name on my digital Amazon invoice has changed as well the product picture. I find it very irritating that Amazon compiles reviews as a whole and it makes it hard for consumers to completely rely on and properly use reviews. Manufacture date: I found two manufacturing dates on the handles 1113, 1213. Purchase Date: I purchased it Friday 8-22-2014; received it Monday 8-25-14 with Amazon Prime. Seller: The Outdoor People. I can't find that seller currently on Amazon as of 11-2014. Price: $104.13. Specs/Tools: *Knife *Serrated knife *Large scissors *Exchangeable saw/diamond/wood/metal file *1/8 in #2 slotted screwdriver *5/16 in #8-#10 slotted screwdriver *Awl *Can/bottle opener/wire stripper *Exchangeable bit adapter: with #1 Phillips & 3/16 #2 slotted bit *Needle nose/regular pliers *Replaceable carbide combination wire/hard wire cutters *2nd non-replaceable combination stranded wire cutter/crimper (bottom of pliers) *ALL tools with easy to use locks *Stamped metric and English rulers on the handles. *Options to purchase pocket clip, lanyard ring, bit sets, home modified bits, saws and maybe other items (see you tube). SIZE COMPARISONS: Size: Super Tool Closed: 4-1/5in long x 1-1/4in wide x 5/8in thick. Open: 7in long. 3in knife, 2-9/16in useable blade. 3in serrated knife, 2-1/2in useable blade. 3in saw, 2-1/2in useable teeth. 3in file, 2-9/16in useable face. 1-7/8in #2 Phillips, 3/16in wide x 1-7/16in hole reach. Micro slotted screwdriver is 1-1/4in long, 7/8in hole reach. #2 slotted screwdriver 3/16in wide x 1-5/8in long, 1-1/4 hole reach. Tool in leather case: 4-5/8in long x 2-3/4in wide x 1-1/2in thick. Weight: Amazon specs say 9.6oz, for the new current version (heavier). Size: Surge Closed: 4-7/16in long x 1-5/8in wide x 3/4in thick. Open: 7in long. 3in knife, 3in useable blade. 3-1/8in serrated knife, 3-1/8in useable blade. 3-3/16in saw, 2-1/2in useable teath. 3-3/16in file, 2-7/16in useable face. 3-1/8in scissors, 7/8in cutting blades. Tool in nylon molle case: with file and no bit kits: 4-7/8in long x 2in wide x 1-3/4in thick. Weight feels about 1/3 heavier. Amazon specs say 15.1oz. The whole tool is great but I feel the saw, replaceable wire cutters, file, long #2 Phillips and mini slotted screw driver are the most important, then the pliers and knives, etc. Usage Comparison: Original Super Tool: Likes: Used it everyday, lasted me 6.5yrs of use before needing service. Size. All tools close nicely inside the handles. Original leather case. Every tool. Dislikes: Not very comfortable when squeezing the pliers bare handed. Difficult tool locks with risk of cutting yourself. Ruler hard to use and know it's accurate. Needle nose pliers need better gripping teeth. Needle nose pliers could be sharper, longer. Non-replaceable wire cutters were the first thing to wear out. Surge Multi-Tool: Likes: Replaceable wire cutters. Replaceable saw and file. Possibility to adapt other saws, bits. Easy to use locks. Exchangeable bits. Rounded handles. Optional, easy to install pocket clip and lanyard ring. Dislikes: Black oxide finish. Could lose tool, filthy. Overall size and weight compared to original Super Tool with mostly the same tools. Missing longer/larger phillips #2 and long micro slotted screwdrivers. Ruler is harder to read/use. The pliers are in the way/middle but is identical in actual measurements to the Super Tool. Cases: I purchased the "black oxide" model to get the large molle case because according to every review I read Leatherman no longer makes an all leather case and the combo nylon/leather supposedly is too cheap. I can tightly fit the Surge in my original leather case but not with accessories. The Large Leatherman Molle Shealth has a variety of mounting options and is said to be the largest Leatherman case but, it is really big/gaudy but has a pocket for the extra file and saw. The large molle case can hold a 1in longer tool and still has 3/8in of extra room on the side of the tool. Case update: the large Leatherman molle case grew on me although I prefer my Leatherman Large Nylon case over all others I've tried. I had my old Super Tool replaced by Leatherman and received a new tool with a nylon sheath WHICH I like more than my other sheaths because it has elstic sides which conforms to the tool slimming the size of the case so it is smaller than my other molle sheathes, yet I can actually fit two fullsize Leatherman tools in it (I would never carry two) so it is just more versatile. I have an original Leatherman Leather case, a Leatherman large nylon case, a large Leatherman Molle case and a TYR Tactical larve Molle case. Color: With the black oxide finish, I worry about losing the tool at night and the oil and black oxide finish gets all over everything for a little while so I washed it down really good. Personal Use: I used to think knife and multi tool carriers were nerds and never carried or used mine for the first 7 years I owned my Original Super Tool but once I started carrying it I was hooked and think they are the best thing ever! I don't care how I look and can't get along without it. Saw: The second and last part I had wear out (before sending in for warranty) was the amazing saw which may have been my favorite tool. I used it on everything and it cut like a knife through butter so to speak and I even received multiple cuts from it. I tried to cut a fiberglass pipe about 3/4in diameter about 1/8in thick wall and it ruined the saw. It will still cut hard objects with quite a bit of effort but doesn't cut softer material very well. Why I bought a second Leatherman: I bought this new Surge because of the updates and options and to have one for the possible week turn around to warranty my original. Yes, I love them so much I could not wait a week for repair/replacement. Warranty: I sent in my original Leatherman Super Tool from 2000 because the saw and wire cutters were worn out and a few other tools on it were worn a bit. I received a brand new Super Tool in 1 week which I like better than my original. Changes: I would like to see more leverage and a larger capacity for the pliers. I am including a bunch of pictures of my old Super Tool and Surge for comparison.

I use my multitool daily. I needed to send in my Leatherman Super Tool 200 to be repaired, but I did not want to be without a multitool while it was gone. I spent hours over a period of a few weeks reading reviews and watching review videos to figure out what I wanted. I wanted heavy duty and narrowed it down to the Super Tool 300 or the Surge. I was leaning towards the Super Tool 300 since it has the replaceable cutters and I was/am pretty happy with my Super Tool 200. What drew me towards the Surge was the ability to open the knife without opening the tool and its capability to use the screw driver bits that you can buy as an accessory. That puts a lot of screw drivers at your disposal. I was also heavily influenced by the top rated review here written by the Navy Seabee. I was helping with some fencing and the cutters that we had were crap. I remembered reading a review from someone saying that they used theirs to cut through barbed wire fence, so I used mine to cut through the barbed wire. It cut like a dream. We started using the Surge to cut the fence instead of the cutters that were made to cut fencing. Since getting the Surge, the scissors have been surprisingly more useful than I would have thought. I use them as much as I use the knife blade now. I will say that this is a heavy tool. I didn't think I would notice too much of a difference because I was carrying the Super Tool 200 and it is also a heavy tool. The Surge feels a lot heavier on the belt. In reality the Super Tool 200 is 9oz (255g) and the Surge is 12.5oz (335g) but you definitely feel the difference on your belt. I would suggest this for a backpack or car if you aren't used to carrying heavy objects on your belt. Update: I bought this almost a year ago (April 24 2013). Last month (March 2014) the safety latch for the bottle opener broke. Now it don't latch open. It isn't a very good bottle opener anyway. The screwdriver that uses the same latch still latches fine. Also I have lost the little plastic pouch that holds the saw blade that interchanges with the file. There was nowhere to keep it but in the main pouch with the leatherman. I bought a new sheath for it with a separate compartment for the extra blade.

It's a really good multi-tool. Kind of heavy on the waist and pocket but it's multifunction is definitely clutch in those moments when needed. I'm glad I got it.

I have been a proud owner of the surge for over a year. I say proud because some people can understand why I would pay so much money for a pocket knife. I'll explain why. Build quality is top notch. The thing weights 12oz (with the pocket clip). It feels bulletproof. You can squeeze down for all you are worth and all you get is a little bit a flex, not bad for something that folds up. It also withstands twisting very well. Bottom line is I would not hesitate to do something with these pliers that I would not do with Craftsman's pliers. At the price I think a tool should last you a lifetime and by that I mean it should have a life time warranty. And this doesn't have that its got a 25 year warranty. Still pretty good. As for the tools being hard to pull out, its true. When it is brand new the tools are a little tight. All you have to do is open and close it a few time and it will get easier. I can tell you that my Surge that is a year old and and sees use at least 5 times a week opens with just the right amount of force. I hate when a pocket knife starts to creep open on you. As for the toxic waste coming off the Surge people are reporting I think it is just cutting fluid/machining oil left over from the production process. I noticed mine had a lot left in the joints, which is a good thing. While it is true the Black Oxide coating does wear off it is not toxic. At the most it is an irritant. MSDS is here [...] I purchased the pocket clip so I could carry mine in my pocket, I don't like things on my belt. I take this everywhere I go. It is extremely useful. I even take it backpacking, though it is heavy it well worth its weight. To anyone who prefers to be prepared for a situation as opposed to be controlled by a situation I recommend the Surge.

I was very glad the item arrived a day earlier than expected. On opening the package, I was a little flustered to find it differently from the consistent 'black' look on the handle. I immediately scrutinized the blade, the needle-nose, saw, and screw tips for any sign of being used. I was relieved to find that there was no indication that it was used before: no scratches, tracemarks, worn edges, and it has sufficient resistance on opening/closing. The handles did appear to be a little worn, much like they were repeatedly wiped down to remove the black powder. There were a little left but I think it's ok. I bought a tool to be used, abused, and what not. I didn't buy a trophy for collection. The tool comes with a file that you can replace the sawblade with. The measuring rule on the inside of the grip appears to be a little to hard to read in low light conditions but easy enough in broad day light. The locking mechanism on the blades and screwbits worked like a charm. No excessive pushing/pulling needed. I think this is a good safety mechanism as the risk of being cut because the tool closed on your hand has been mitigated. I have been cut this way with my old SAK's. Be careful about the blades, as they are really sharp. This will nip you to your bone! This is no 'toy for the little boys'. Over-all, robust build, fits the hand perfectly, and I find the weight enough to balance itself as you use it. Both plain and serrated blades, can be opened in one hand (right hand). Lefties may find this difficult without an assisted opening. This tool also contains a precision flat-screw driver. Now I don't have to bring a separate prec. screw driver for my glasses as this tool truly is all I need for an EDC tool. I think the only thing missing on this is a hammer and it would be the perfect fundamental household tool. This is truly a no B.S. tool, built for purpose. If you plan on getting a Surge as a collector's item, stick to the stainless version. This anodized version is screaming to be used again and again.

I got this Leatherman to upgrade my husband’s tool, and he loves it. The black color looks sharp and modern, and the tool feels sturdy and high-quality. It has all the functions he uses regularly and is easy to handle. The only downside is that it doesn’t come with a sheath, which would have made carrying it much more convenient. Overall, a solid upgrade and definitely worth considering if you don’t mind the missing sheath.

I got my first leatherman when I was about 14. Since then, one has been on my belt every day, all day. This is the fifth one I have owned since then. One was given to me and another was my Father's supertool that I bought for him in the 90s and was using until I bought this one. The others are still good. I am now 53 and deserve an upgrade. This Surge is far superior to all my others. I am thoroughly amazed. It seams to be a combo of my blast, wave and supertool plus much more. Everything from strength and stability to ease of use is incredibly improved. I would not have thought it was possible. When I opened the box, I couldn't believe how much better it was then I was expecting from the website. You truly have to hold it to fully appreciate it. Most incredible multi-tool EVER!!!

Not much to say other than this thing is durable as... i have litterally accidently run it over multiple times with a close to 72,000lb truck at work and it preformed like nothing had ever happend to it in the first place

FIRST THING! CHECK THE LEATHERMAN WEB SITE! IF I'D DONE THAT I'D HAVE SAVED OVER $100!! As far as the tool goes it is the most useful and robust multi I've ever owned and I've used multiple brands and styles since the original Leatherman. The scissors are far and away the best I've found on a general purpose multitool. The interchangeable saw/file is an excellent concept and the holder will take other compatible tools, my local hobby shop had a selection. The tool does require some breaking in, especially the blade release and the "lanyard clip". I only have two minor quibbles: It will not take the eyeglass screwdriver that comes with the accessory bit set and the lanyard loop is difficult to deploy and useless as a stand alone. Because it retractsit can sever fiber, and it is too narrow for paracord. I wound up threading a key ring thorough it.

Best investment ever made

ottimo compagnio di viaggio

Llego antes de lo previsto, producto 100% recomendable para sacar de apuros e imprevistos

Leatherman surge is very nice. I like it. How ever this my order was lost in transit and and Amazon refunded my money and I purchased it from other shop.