Right now Leatherman are happy with their customer base buying one tool, then another, then another. I have 3 - Skeletool, Squirt Wingman. Sold my T4. Thinking now of getting the Surge. Gave my son the Squirt and will probably sell Wingman and Skeletool to cover the Surge.
Very nice comparative review Chris. I've always wanted a Surge, and do have a Wave. I think for an outdoor hike, day or overnight, and/or survival situation, the Surge wins. And good point on the pricing comparison. Thanks !
Gravity issues! :) Any multi-tool is a compromise. To get all of the tools you want you will need a tool box. Cars, trucks, boats, etc., are all compromises. Good video!
Thank you sir, for this awesome review with mentality background. I have to buy the new surge now. Gorgeous tool. Lovin it. Subbed too. Take care Cheers Mike
hey Chris love your reviews I have several cheap multitools but I got a Leathermen Wave and a Supertool 300. Someone gave me a Gerber MP600 it has a blade that is part serrated (bottom part) for the knife, Crosshead screwdriver, small flat head, large flat head/bottle opener, a Can opener, Needle-nose pliers, FISKARS scissors, Wire cutter, Stand (3") / Metric (80 mm or 8 cm) scale, Patented saw coupler with replaceable Rem Grit BladeTool (it looks like a jigsaw blade with grit glued onto it), a Crimper and metal / crosshatched wood File. I love the Leathermen but $90 bucks for the Gerber with no additional saw blades, I guess I could use my jig saw metal and wood blades in it. If I was not given this Gerber tool I would not have brought it.
My Charge TTI was perfect when I was working in IT. Now for fishing and woodcraft it is lacking somewhat. I think Leatherman could have a good product idea, in a customisable multi-tool. The purchaser could determine the toolset that suited them the most. If they had that I could ditch the micro-screwdriver and a few other things and choose a awl with a hole and a marlin spike to get those pesky knots undone. Aha I would probably lose the parcel hook as well.
Guys, I'm building a serious zombie apoc war wagon and a full related survival kit to be stowed into a 4 x 4 trailer towed behind (It will double as a sleeping platform) For a pair of scissors you can't beat the current (1/26/2018) Harbor Freight red/black handled stainless steel scissors.. they are cheap, very sharp and have a line cutter indent near the back of the blade. They are sturdy, weigh 8 oz and have a strong lock closure. Must have kit
Just got this for Xmas and am so far loving it but I have two gripes the first being it doesn't have scissors - not exactly a biggy but for me it would have made the tool complete in regards to the work I do. The second it that it comes with a leather/nylon sheath from China ?W?T?F? On one hand you have a tool that is known the world over and comes with a 25yr guarantee which gives you an idea of the type of quality you're going to get but then they go and put it in a cheap arse sheath form China. That's like building a $250k Lamborghini and then the factory goes and puts cheap $100 wheels on it
What leonardo said.... I have one personally for work and every day use. When I'm out and my gf needs scissors she uses my surge since it has spring action scissors....
Here's some extra points a friend made worth sharing (copied): I have TWO morsels of information, to share with you, Guys ... (1) Having a detachable diamond file is a VERY GOOD THING, *BECAUSE* you can actually use THIS to sharpen your multi-tool ! (2) DID YOU KNOW that you can insert ANY COMMON T-SHANK "SABER-SAW" BLADE (common T-shank jig saw blades) into your SURGE's TOOL EXCHANGE SLOT and use the SURGE as a handle!
I personally can and do relate to your overall points, regarding the Leather-Man products. The most significant observations of mine is that Leatherman products are no longer made in the USA and that their so called lifetime warranty, no longer exists:(
slhines7 the stuff that costs like $29 may not be. The real ones in the $70 and up range are made in the USA. People wanted an "affordable" option. Guess how that happens?
PREPAREDMIND101 Oh ok and I see. Well, I am just going by what a Leatherman rep had told me a few years ago via email. Certain parts or the guts of their high $ multi-tools are made in various countries, which included German, China, US, Taiwan, etc. which is probably why their packaging doesn't state where they are made anylonger. They even ended up getting sued and settled for 13 million: Colgan v. Leatherman Tool Group. www.delmarlawgroup.com/blog/is-it-really-made-in-usa-or-does-the-box-just-say-that/
I like the detachable tools because I can grind down a HEX bit adapter (from a drill so it fits in the tool exchanger) and have screwdrivers with very low cost.
I found the wingman had everything I wanted, I almost bought it, then seen the leatherman wave +, almost bought it and I seen the surge had everything and it’s bigger/ better
I am quite disappointed they replaced the microdriver that I have found infinitely useful on my own surge. Why they decided a redundant new fixed driver is more important then a microdriver when there is a replaceable bit driver of the same size as the new driver already, I haven't a fucking clue.
I love my Surge, I bought a second Leatherman sheath to carry the bit kit and a small widgy bar.The file is in my Mollie sheath with a metal jig saw blade in the cheap plastic sheath that came with my Surge. It's all together in the same sheath. The Surge is the best multi tool I have ever owned.
I'm torn between the surge and the rebar. The replaceable cutters are huge for me so the wave is out of the question. The only problem that the surge has is weight and that's it, where the rebar is light but the tool placement and the tool selection is not that great. The outside tools on the surge is also great but probably the major thing is that I'd be getting it as an edc and I wanted it just in case I needed something heavy duty. So idk what to get
I sharpened the reverse side of the saw to give me sort of a sacrificial blade. I often cut things at work that would quickly dull the 420hc blades. It works really well and I actually use it more than the saw itself.
One of several. One of the otherswas to replace the chintzy loop on the other BOB kydex dangler sheath. I find them useful. I was actually trying to think of something cool and different in that regard (for the Surge). I gotta be a design pain in the ass....
It looks like the shank on the replaceable saw is the jigsaw T-shank. If that is so, there are a heck a lot of jigsaw blades out there that will increase the Surge's versatility even more- Bosch being one of the best.
The surge is great and I can't fault it, I've got a Super Tool 300 too which is very good but the surge's engineering beauty and practicality makes it the ultimate multi tool for me. The weight means/size makes it's not really a pocket tool but with the quality leather sheath on a good belt you won't feel the weight.
These things have been a part of life since I can remember. My dad says feels naked without one. I had the original back when, and my Dad had the original Super Tool. We where building a ranch style covered porch on Halloween about 15 years ago, when he nailed a his index finger to a treated 2x6 with a 3" 16 penny nai. Buried it to the head. He hammered it back and cut it off with the Leatherman. They thought it was a joke at the ER. I have seen where he actually cut his palm with the HANDLES, from squeezing hard with the old Super Tool. He broke a couple of those. It was the hinge on one pliers, the other time was a handle. We have both broke a couple of the Core. He snapped a jaw off of one of those too. He has destroyed a Super Tool 300 as well. If you can believe it, he is not trying to wreck his favorite knife, he is bummed out about it until he gets a new one in his hand. I am not saying that they are junk! That is not going to happen to yours! Point is, my Dad is a beast, AND...and, we can appreciate ( and possibly have contributed to ) the upgrades from Leatherman over the years. If anyone wonders why they offer a big chunk of steel like the Surge or Super Tool, it is because they want that thing to keep on working for you. That being said, I would be fairly comfortable with one in a survival situation because it is a well built EDC that I am practiced with, and that I know the limits of. And I totally agree with the recommendation to EDC one. They will save your butt. I can count at least 30 deer that have had their pelvis and sternum split, and been gutted by the Leatherman we had at the time. I was comfortable with it so its what I reached for with cold hands in the dark. On my farm making fence, hunting, camping, construction, it's not even a piece of kit, many times it is the kit. Good recommendations here gentlemen, in the vid and comments. I learned something. I always use the file on my 300, all three sides. I love the saw, but I want those scissors too. You usually have a blade on you, but the scissors serve a unique purpose, for example first aid as Chris's demonstrated. I think I should find a way to piggyback the Micra or otherwise keep it close to the Super tool. Giving me ideas for a drop sheath for my dad as well. He tears up his sheaths, belts and pants, between the multitool and the other junk we carry for EMS and rescue. Thanks
Love the multitool, HATE the sheaths. Even the ones cannibalized from other knives, unless it has room to fit the bit kits and extender there's no point in having them. Why does Leatherman inflict these sheaths on its buyers? You can get custom leather sheaths but then you're paying almost as much for the sheath as you did the tool itself. I've seen some sites that actually charge twice as much for the sheath than the tool. Ridiculous! Sorry, about to pay too much for a sheath and just had to vent.
I like that they finally added the 154cm replaceable cutter on the surge, But truth be told the hard cutter hidden behind the plier head does a far better job unless you ate just stripping.
1. I take your observations very seriously. Over the years, I picked up a number of leatherman tools. I certainly have more than one Wave and one Surge. I have been cleaning and restoring seized models (TSA) for years. 2. As I upgrade, I give the now lesser desirable Leathermen as gifts to relatives 3. I use a cheap, locking Marbles knife sheath to hold the Surge model. Yes, the factory sheath is unacceptable.
This NOT a Surge review. Good lord, he spouts shit for ten minutes without speaking about the capabilities of the damned tool, then introduces someone else who does the same. Now why I remember why I unsubscribed!
I had a problem. I was planning to move to a 3rd world country. I was going to migrate around 3 areas where I have 3 pig farms. Huge pigs. 500+ lbs. I needed minimal tools whereby I could repair stuff big pigs break but still travel with on my belt. Good strong tools not readally available. I chose the surge fully loaded plus 2 knipex wrenches and pliers + Irwin needlenose vice grips for those nuts that spin on the back side of things. . I haven't needed my toolbox this year and I feel confident with my choices. I don't care if they're easy to open. I care if they break.
Between the handles is a stranded wire cutter..….the thick wire cutters are at the base of the replaceable wire cutters in the jaws. There is also an electrical crimper just behind the stranded wire cutters.
Great tool for sure. I ues the single sheath by Maxpedition, carries a multitool very well. it can also carry a handgun mag, a light or even a folder if you wish.
Good review Chris, I’ve been researching multi tools and after watching I’m upgrading from the Rebar to the Surge, I like your adaptation of the different carrying style also. 👍👍👍
I use the Surge too, and I love mine. Its primary uses for me are with a small kit I put together to fix things that could go wrong with my wheelchair while out hammock camping. Something of note: if you get a 1/4 socket adapter, it works well with the Surge. I keep mine in an ammo pouch. It works well for my needs. Love your channel btw.
Multi tools should have higher quality knife blade steel. That would totally eliminate the need to carry a separate knife. I'm still going to buy the Leatherman Surge but I wish it had 1095 High Carbon Steel knife blade. 1095 is so easy to sharpen and is very sharp.
Will, HELLO, the sheeps-foot is your working blade and leaves the main blade clean for food processing. There are sheaths aavailable to carry both a bit kit AND the file...That said, I agree the Supertool is great, I have an older Leatherman Core with the same tools...love it, love the awl.
Oh one thing additional dislike on the Gerber, you have to extend the pliers to get at the tools, plus you cannot fold the one side of the tool handle over to make a longer like you can with the Leathermen tools.
i love my surge im an electrician this thing is invaluable it has saved me more times than once, i bought my father a surge he uses it for handyman work working on houses and apartments . its not a primary tool but damn near able to be. the pliers on the surge is better than most stand alone pliers
Check out skinth solutions, I've just discovered them but many people talk highly of them. I'm going to be ordering one soon for my rebar and I would love to hear your opinion of skinth.
Victorinox Spirit Swiss multitool is better. Both are excellent multifunctional tools. In the battle of Leatherman vs Swiss multitool, the Swiss knife is a clear winner. The Leatherman is a great tool, but it isn’t as versatile or functional as a Victorinox
Really like the vids and I'm a subscriber but I'm afraid your the one that's wrong about the heavy wire cutters. If you look at the leaflet that comes with the sure you will see what I mean.i love my surge though and it's thanks to your review that I bought one. So thank you
Leatherman just needs an add your own tools option on there web site. Take what ever multitool Leatherman makes and add the tools you want instead of hoping they get it right for your personal needs.
I've had a wave for a long time (probably 4 or 5 years) and love it. I have a swissarmy tool in my car as well. I agree that the leatherman sheath it came with was crap. I think it went directly in the trash bin.
Chris great review, tnx! One funny remark: You can't make figure eights by leaning just to one side;) 8 ....Vs. Circles 0. Sorry, just being a smart4ss;)
Great vid. One of your best, imho. My first leatherman was also the original. My first upgrade was the first Supertool (still have it .. still use it .. it lives in my truck .. still love the fact the blades lock when they didn't in the original leatherman). The most recent upgrade was the Supertool 300 (mine is silver instead of black). I count myself lucky that I just don't care about scissors nor about rapid deployment of some of the available tools. If scissors were a must-have item for me, it would be difficult to pick one I want. I'm really satisfied with what either of my Supertools gives me and they've both done a whole lot of work on the ranch. ... Now that I watched this vid, I will indeed have a closer look at the Surge, though. It looks like it could take the same kind of beating I might give it. Thanks!
Too big. A tool and the fool who doesn't have it on him... is worthless.. charge plus.. u can make an awl with the bits.. any rock will Sharpen a knife. Common man... I listened to you in the past... even with the shcard, i love that knife even though its curved... please rethink your recommendation..
I think Leatherman should bring in a tool called the 'Leatherman custom'. This would allow the customer to pick and choose what tools you would like on a standardarised chassis. The customer would select what they want on there tool from the website to there own unique specifications and needs. Leatherman could possibly take this idea further if they could develop a click and lock system on the tools so any tool component on the standardised chassis would be interchangeable with other chassisys. This would mean that users could potentially swop out tools when needed with other users on the standardised chassis system.
great talk on all the models and great to see both of your opinions. I have an old surgical stainless steel winchester multitool, has proven good for years, thanks for the video.
I like the 300 or rebar for outdoor use. I always feel like I can make do without scissors or carry my Vic Classic for scissors... I think it weighs about nothing.
I have been looking at the Surge but currently edc my Leatherman Wave, I also have the SOG PowerAssist on my EDC bag and a Leatherman Micra in there too but I would be lost without my belt mounted Wave. Didn't realise how much I would use one until I got one. The Surge is definitely a beast compared to the Wave, just not sure I could warrant buying another and also the size/weight would be a little too much for what I use them for. Great review as always though Chris & Will.
a point that most people that I have seen review multi tools seem to overlook. at least 50% of the time that I need the pliers on my leatherman, I also need to secure the back of what ever I am tightening/loosening. I EDC 2 leatherman tools. both of mine are several years old, I have the supertool 200 ( bought when they were first introduced) and the original release of the wave. someday if I have the money, I would like to upgrade the supertool for the 300 and the wave for the surge, but that is most likely not going to happen any time soon. but with these, I have access to 2 pliers, or a plier and screw driver to hold both sides of the item I need to work on.
Bloody awesome video, guys! I fully agree that it's near impossible to find everything you want on the one multitool (only option I've found is: "want less things" and that doesn't work for me). I've got an old model Wave that doesn't have interchangeable bits and I find it has nearly everything I need - except corkscrew (not that I often open corked bottles but it's a handy gadget for untying tight knots) and, far more important, an awl. So to rectify those ommissions, I also carry a Victorinox Spartan which has both of those things as well as tweezers and "tooth pick" (or reset-button pusher, if you prefer) and to which I've recently added the microscrewdriver that fits inside the corkscrew. Of course, this means I'm carrying additional knife blades, screwdrivers, can/bottle opener that are already adequately covered by the Wave.
and you can use any t shank boush blade for wood, mental or whatever, and you can also use your file to put a new edge on your knife being it come's the tool. surge all the way.
I’m a Blacksmith and I work my tools hard so I have no time for flimsy shit gear. I’m a swisstool fan.. carried it straight for 15yrs and never let me down. I had the original wave in that time too...useful but just not built like the swisstool. With multi tools certain blades will and do even with careful use just wear out! Being able to change plier cutters because you’ve misjudged the tensile strength of wire you’ve just tried to cut and totally wrecked the pliers is a major major plus! But the icing on the cake is being able to change out the file, woodsaw AND any other saw blade on a Bosch T blade you care to use like a hacksaw! You have multiple choice teeth per inch and blade length. Add this to the bit exchanger and you have a really versatile piece of kit for any eventuality in any work or play Enviroment... I have to concede that after having really worked the leatherman surge, this tool with this much versatility and tough build quality, is hands down the best multi tool on the market today.
Great review. Surge is the heaviest duty MT you can buy. I own one and I own a SOG as well. There is no comparison. The Surge will outperform the SOG, specially the pliers. The SOG pliers are easier to use but the Surge pliers are a lot beefier and stronger. The only thing the SOG has over the Surge is the fact you can add/delete tools in it. Whereas the Surge does not. I still don't understand why Leatherman refuses t allow us to easily add/delete tools in some of their more expensive models.
I bought my Wave about 17 yrs ago and it cost $80 then. I bought a newer version 4 yrs ago on Ebay for $40. My original has the leather sheath which has held up very well and I only had to sharpen my blade twice in all those years. And I use the tool almost every day. I'm certainly going to look into the Surge, though.
Really appreciate William's opinion on dislocatable features on Multitools. I myself tend to lose little bits and pieces that come with Multitools or even the victorinox tweezers and toothpick. Something for me to think about again between choosing the Surge or the 300. Also liked William's quick tip on using stripped clothes hangers. Chris, you doing awesome too! Thanks for the idea of a low carry sheath. Really struggled on where to put my Multitool since its so big. Now I know, thanks to you.
Have you ever tried the Victorinox Spirit , or Swisstool ? Super implement density , and build quality . I own both Vic and Leatherman multitools , I like both . Hard call which , I’ll carry on any given day .
I used a Gerber multi tool that I found on the street for 10+ years until I pretty much wore out both the regular and serrated blade. I went and bought a Leatherman and really liked it however I called Gerber and told them what was going on and that I had worn out the blades. The guy I was talking to said "Send it back and I will take care of it". Not only did I not pay for it in the first place and they did not make that model anymore so they upgraded the order to the high end line and overnighted it back to me. That is one hell of a customer service dept and earned alot of respect from me. Just for your info.
you know this is a great multi tool:) BUT if it don't say USA on the pivot point its not collectible or maybe not USA made. just sayin. Explain this in modern Leatherman's please
The smallest flat head on the Wave makes a fine awl. It doesn't come to a point, of course but I've punctured many a hole with it, through leather, rubber, fingers, etc. I'm curious to hear why someone would need to carry a separate awl if they already had a Wave on hand.
I have a wave and use it all the time . But I also figured out that Incorporating trauma shears or an awl or a file is not much more heavier it depends on how light your pack is going to be . You can get some extremely light scissors that work better than a multi tool pair . Especially awls . you want a nice round handle to punch holes. I would rather take a separate one for its ability to drill hole in wood. Sharpened stubby flat screw drivers work well.:)
I keep multiple saw blades in a soda bottle preform. Wood, pvc, metal, fiberglass... The larger Bosch saw blades will saw like a beast, way better than the one Leatherman provides.
Yes chris i have the wave the Surge and the supa tool 300 and the micro i also have two treds with enough tools for all my gun smith work All engraved to me from tim leatherman And in Australia they are all over $200 to $250 here
Detachable file means you can sharpen the blade on the multi tool. If it was touched you could not do that. I would like to see less slot screwdrivers and more other options. Some Leatherman's have three slot drivers. Generally speaking I find you only need one the space could be used for something else.
I've been rolling with the Leatherman Wave since '09 and it has served me very well. But after viewing the surge, im wondering if it's about that time for an upgrade. gonna go check one out in person and get a feel for it. thx for the vid
I love my surge, like the fact the file comes out so you can use it to touch up your blade, or you can put in a metal saw like a jigsaw blade if you want? The big flat driver I use all the time on my air rifles, as the wave has no monster flat driver, the big scissors are a must for me as well, I hate the weight but hay you can't have everything!!!
Will, the 1st thing I said abt the Surge was: why cant they ditch the serrated blade and replace it w the file?. That truly would make the Surge the perfect multitool...at least for me. Great review guys.
