LEATHERMAN, Surge, 21-in-1 Heavy-Duty Multi-tool for Work, Home, Garden, DIY & Auto, Black with MOLLE Sheath

This tool is a beast. Very well built. I use it for heavy duty stuff. You wouldn’t want this in your pocket all day as it has some heft to it.

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 SheathI 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 ToolClosed: 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: SurgeClosed: 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.

Super high Quality

After retiring my Leatherman Wave I have been carrying this daily as a maintenance man for a ski resort and pro golf course for about 4 months now and it's a great tool! Especially buying the accessories like the bits, extension and ratchet I haven't had to use my tool bags since I bought it. Being able to adapt and use 1/4" driver bits is a game changer! Yesterday I had a 2-ft long 1/4" drive extension with a 10 mm socket on my Leatherman to adjust the pocket door. Being able to switch out the wire cutting blades and switch between saw blades and the files is awesome and with the amount of aftermarket blades available you can cut anything.

I use this thing every...single...day. After a week you wonder how you ever functioned without it. I upgraded from the original Wave from 20+ years ago. Yes the Surge is expensive, yes you could trade down to another brand and survive but the fit, finish and function of this thing is special. While you can get a lot of these tools in other models and brands, you won't get it all. There's just too much.The primary knife was razor sharp out of the box and fast and easy to deploy one-handed - I don't miss my EDC pocketknife! I especially love the full grip scissors. It took awhile to break-in the release mechanism for the t-shank adaptor. It comes with both a 4-sided file and wood saw. There's a sleeve included that holds whichever you're not using. I'll actually this wood saw at campouts to breakdown branches for fires, and the diamond file side of the 4-sided file to keep the primary knife sharpened. I also don't mind carrying this in my pocket everyday using the pocket clip that I bought separately. It's not heavy enough to pull my pants or be uncomfortable. That was a major concern of mine and I'm really glad I took the chance to try this multitool.I've since bought the Galvonox full-size bit adaptor, double-sided Wiha technician bit set and 30-piece Leatherman bit set. The flexibility of this tool set means I don't have to constantly run to my basement workshop to find a tool for one-off tasks. I've got everything I need in my Leatherman pouch.This tool is a beast, there's no compromise here. I'd considered the Wave+, Signal and Mut and Super Tool but kept finding reasons to come back to the Surge. No doubt there's a Leatherman tool for everyone but this one is now my forever tool.

I've had my Leatherman Surge for over a month now, and let me tell you, it's been a game changer! I absolutely love this multitool and would recommend it to anyone who needs a reliable tool for daily use. It’s a bit bigger than the Wave+, but that just means it’s got a bit more heft for tougher jobs, which has been perfect for me. I use it constantly, not just around the house but also in my business—it's been a lifesaver for fixing wiring on trailers and tackling other quick fixes.What really stands out is how durable and well-built it feels. All the tools are super handy, and the easy-access blades and larger scissors make a big difference when you're working on something. The pliers have a strong grip, and I love how you can switch out the wire cutters if they wear down. It’s one of those tools you don’t realize you need until you have it, and now, I can’t imagine going without it.