Leatherman Surge Review
Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: Large, excellent construction, full-size functions, customizable
Cons: Heavy and large; limited portability. Proprietary bit driver.
Manufacturer: Leatherman
Our Verdict
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Leatherman Surge | |||||
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| Awards |  | |  | | |
| Price | $129.95 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $169.95 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $64.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Large, excellent construction, full-size functions, customizable | Titanium handle, S30V steel blade, modular portability, full functions | Compact, light, with multiple carry options, smart, effective tools | Comprehensive, well-made, aftermarket accessories and carry options | Inexpensive and well-made, spring-loaded pliers, scissors, pocket clip, one-handed blade |
| Cons | Heavy and large; limited portability. Proprietary bit driver | Heavy, expensive, squashed bit driver | Few features | Proprietary bit driver, no pocket clip included | Hybrid straight/serrated blade, squashed Phillips driver, short main blade |
| Bottom Line | A large, heavy tool that does all you might need but is hard to carry around | This exceptional product is equipped with almost every imaginable tool, organized and optimized for compact function | A multi-tool that optimizes ergonomics and portability by reducing the tool set to the most important ones for daily use and carry | A full-function tool from a great manufacturer at a reasonable price | A budget tool with real value and function, this model is compact with a feature set that does much of what you want and little that you don't |
| Rating Categories | Leatherman Surge | Leatherman Charge+ TTi | Leatherman Skeletoo... | Leatherman Wave+ | Leatherman Wingman |
| Functions (40%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (25%) | |||||
| Ergonomics (20%) | |||||
| Portability (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Leatherman Surge | Leatherman Charge+ TTi | Leatherman Skeletoo... | Leatherman Wave+ | Leatherman Wingman |
| Number of functions | 19 + bits | 19 + bits | 5 + bits | 18 + bits | 10 |
| Weight (ounces) | 12.2 oz, 14.3 oz with case | 8.8 oz | 5.0 oz | 8.5 oz, 9.5 oz with case | 6.8 oz, 7.8 oz with sheath |
| Locking tools? | All but pliers | All but pliers | All but pliers | All but pliers | Scissors and blade |
| Pliers type | Needlenose, regular, wire cutters, hard-wire cutters, crimper | Needlenose with wire cutters, crimper | Needlenose with 2 wire cutters | Needlenose, regular, wire cutters, hard-wire cutters, crimper | Spring-loaded regular and needlenose |
| Tools accessible without deploying pliers | Blades, saw, file | Blades, saw, file | Blade | Blades, saw, file | Blade and scissors |
| Blades and type | 1 straight, 1 serrated | 1 serrated gut hook type, 1 straight drop point | 1 straight drop point | 1 straight, 1 serrated | 1 hybrid serrated/straight drop point |
| Scissors | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Number of screwdrivers | 4 included, more available aftermarket for proprietary driver | 1 integrated. Many bits included, with more available aftermarket for proprietary driver | 4 included, more available aftermarket for proprietary driver | 5 included/integrated. More available aftermarket for proprietary driver | 3 |
| File? | Yes, wood/metal and a diamond-coated file | Yes, wood/metal and a diamond-coated file | No | Yes, wood/metal and a diamond-coated file | Yes |
| Saw? | Yes | Metal and wood | No | Yes | No |
| Openers | Can and bottle | Can and bottle | Bottle | Can and bottle | Can, bottle, and a unique box opener |
| Other important features | Ruler, awl, wire stripper | Ruler, cutting hook, wire stripper | None | Ruler | Very small ruler |
| Sheath included? | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Other carry options | Pocket clip, key ring | Carabiner style clip, pocket clip | Pocket, Pocket clip | ||
| Closed dimensions (Length by thickness, in inches) | 4.5 x 0.8 | 4 x 0.8 | 4.3 x 0.6 | 4 x 0.7 | 3.8 x 0.7 |
| Open length (pliers, in inches) | 7.1in | 6.2 in | 6.2 in | 6.3 in | 6.2 in |
| Open overall length (primary blade deployed, in inches) | 7.6 in | 7 in | 6.8 in | 6.9 in | 6.4 in |
| Length of primary blade effective edge (inches) | 3.1 in | 2.8 in | 2.6 in | 2.8in | 2.4 in |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Surge is Leatherman's largest multi-tool. It is indeed giant. It weighs over 3/4 pound and has a main blade that is nearly as long as that on your typical full-size pocket knife. The pliers are super robust and sturdy. The scissors are larger even than those on a full-size swiss army knife. With this large size utility increases but portability decreases. The result is a product that really only works for tool-box, vehicle, or belt carry. One can get an aftermarket pocket clip for this tool, but it will quickly wear out your pants if it doesn't pull them down first.
Performance Comparison
Functions
The variety of functions on the Surge is pretty standard for high-end multi-tools. With all the bulk, you had better hope the Surge would be comprehensive. You won't be disappointed. Of the tools included in multi-tools, the Surge basically has it all. Of course, we have our gripes and wishes. First, and this echos for nearly all Leatherman brand tools, we wish that the bit driver used standard 1/4" drive bits without an adapter. Given the layout of nearly every Leatherman tool, we don't see a good reason why they use the thinned-down proprietary bit format they use. Sale of accessories stands out as a possible reason. The Surge could be rearranged to fit a full-size 1/4" bit driver in there with minimal "cost" to the bulk or selection of other tools.
Construction Quality
We expect excellent construction quality in Leatherman brand tools. The Surge is exactly what we would expect. Further, because of its large size and flouting of weight limits, the materials and tools are thick and stiff. Surge pivots and springs are as tight as those on the Editors' Choice but the steel is even thicker and more robust.
Ergonomics
For routine and novel use the large size of the Surge is largely welcome. Larger tools, up to a point, are easier to use. In the case of the Surge, it only tips into the "too large" category in terms of the pliers-closed handle size. For extended whittling or other knife work, especially in small hands, the large profile of the mostly-closed tool is strenuous and slightly insecure. Otherwise, the large pliers and scissors are very nice to use. The scissors aren't as tight and clean to cut with as others, but they are large.
Portability
The flip side of large, easy to use tools is portability. It is basically too large and too heavy for daily carry. Only those that can and will wear a belt sheath will find the Surge to live handily on their person. Otherwise, it pretty much has to live in a toolbox or glove compartment or luggage for extended use. Of course, for short periods wearing it loose or pocket clipped (with the aftermarket Leatherman pocket clip) will work too.
Value
For the quality and function, you will pay. The Surge is in the same price range as the Editors' Choice Charge TTI, but doesn't include the fancier materials and extra bits of the award winner. You pay for the size and mass and strength of the Surge.
Conclusion
The Leatherman Surge has a narrow appeal but fills an important niche. It is heavy and large but very functional. "Portable tools" exist along a spectrum, with portability on one end and "tool-ability" at the other end. The Surge is nearly a full-function tool that is sort of portable.
— Jediah Porter