Leatherman Surge Multitool Assessment | CleverHiker

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The Leatherman Surge is a powerhouse multitool rightly deserving of its “jack of all trades” fame. Identified for being considered one of Leatherman’s most succesful, versatile, and sturdy, the Surge packs 21 important instruments, together with pliers, a knife, noticed, wire cutters, screwdrivers, and a can opener. It’s constructed robust, with stainless-steel building that dealt with arduous use and abuse in each demanding state of affairs we threw at it.

One in all its standout options is the one-handed operation—instruments are simple to entry and deploy, which is a complete game-changer if you’re working with gloves or in tight spots. The total-sized pliers are sturdy sufficient for heavy-duty duties, and the sharp, replaceable blades make fast work of reducing. Its design is comfy to make use of, even for prolonged initiatives.

Disadvantage? It’s heavy and ponderous for on a regular basis carry, so it’s greatest for software luggage, automobile kits, or work belts. Whereas the Surge is a bit bulkier in comparison with smaller choices on our multitool gear information, its power and vary of options make it a go-to for adventurers, mechanics, and DIYers.

How We Examined

Over a 30-day take a look at interval, the Surge was put by way of the wringer in Minnesota farm environments, sustaining gear, and the software additionally traveled north, dealing with off towards frigid temps and serving as restore chief at basecamp. 

Weight & Portability

The Leatherman Surge is a beast of a software however surprisingly moveable for its dimension. Weighing in at 12.5 ounces and measuring 4.5 inches when closed, it’s a bit heavier than another choices, however it’s nonetheless compact sufficient to hold in a bag or clip to your belt. It’s excellent for these needing one thing beefy and dependable with out sacrificing portability. 

The Surge shines with DIY initiatives, tent or pack restore, and common repairs round the home. Whereas it’s a little bit bulkier than different instruments, the heavy-duty efficiency packs a punch—supplying you with all the flexibility you want with out weighing you down.

Ease of Use

The Leatherman Surge impresses with easy and intuitive motion, making it simply plain enjoyable to make use of, whether or not it’s a easy electrical restore or a demanding, all-day venture. The one-handed opening permits fast and easy software entry, and every software deploys with equal zeal. Silky hinges and a satisfying click on motion communicate to Leatherman’s consideration to element.

Ergonomics additionally play a task right here: the handles are comfy, offering a stable grip with out pressure, even throughout prolonged use at a nationwide forest path camp, retaining a sputtering range in line. The knife and blades sliced cleanly, whereas the noticed reduce by way of small kindling sticks with out a hitch, due to the software’s wonderful design and sharpness.

Every part concerning the Surge feels polished and purposeful. The motion is constant and dependable, with no sticking or awkward motion.

Ergonomics

The Leatherman Surge scores excessive in consolation and ergonomics, making it probably the most user-friendly multitools in the marketplace. Designed with prolonged use in thoughts, the handles are thoughtfully formed to suit comfortably in your hand and decrease pressure and fatigue, even throughout extended use or repetitive duties. The contoured design permits for a safe, pure grip, whether or not utilizing the pliers, reducing, or twisting screwdrivers.

Leatherman paid shut consideration to the stability of weight and value right here. Regardless of its sturdy, full-sized design, the software feels well-balanced and intuitive to maneuver. Its easy edges and thoughtfully spaced design ensured it didn’t dig into our tester’s palms throughout heavy use. The supplies have a premium really feel, with simply sufficient texture to forestall slippage, even in moist or downright greasy situations.

From the primary use out of the field and after 60 days within the discipline, it’s clear that Leatherman prioritized consumer consolation with out sacrificing performance. The handles are spaced completely to accommodate quite a lot of hand sizes, and the pliers and different instruments are designed to be accessible with out awkward repositioning.

The Surge shines with its software deployment chops, providing fast, seamless entry to its spectacular options. The one-handed operation permits fast entry, even with gloves, and intuitive mechanisms make them easy to tug out and put to work.

Whether or not you’re reaching for the pliers, noticed, screwdriver, or blade, the motion feels responsive and well-built—no sticking, no pointless resistance, simply fluid, dependable efficiency. This characteristic was particularly useful in tight areas, just like the engine bay of a Nineteen Sixties Chevy pickup that brought on our tester grief. However solely briefly, because the Surge squared as much as that fizzling electrical wire tangle and received the job accomplished.  

Total, we love the Surge’s easy-access instruments and ease.

Load Bearing Capability

Surge actually nails it with spectacular load-bearing capability, making it probably the most dependable multitools for heavy-duty duties. Constructed with sturdiness in thoughts, the Surge’s stainless-steel building affords unimaginable power, permitting it to deal with demanding jobs with out buckling underneath strain. We pulled wire, twisted fence bolts, clamped onto bolts with the pliers, and reduce sticks for a campfire, and the Surge by no means missed a beat, even within the midst of near-zero temps and blowing snow. 

The sturdy, full-sized pliers present wonderful pressure for gripping or bending supplies, whereas the sharp, sturdy blade and noticed can sort out robust supplies with out dropping their edge. Each software on the Surge is constructed with stability and resilience so you may belief it for on a regular basis duties and extra intense jobs.

Leatherman designed the Surge with a concentrate on power and performance. Its means to bear heavy masses with out faltering underneath the calls for of rigorous use instills enduring confidence. Finest carried in a belt sheath, glove field, or toolbox, the Surge rapidly grew to become considered one of our go-to picks.

Materials High quality

It’s no shock the Surge is constructed robust, made with high-quality stainless-steel that may deal with absolutely anything you throw at it—reducing by way of thick rope, utilizing the pliers for some heavy-duty work, or tightening screws is a breeze with this do-it-all software. 

The corrosion-resistant metal ensures it stays dependable, even in moist situations or after extended publicity to the weather. With that stable, no-nonsense really feel Leatherman is thought for, the Surge is designed to maintain performing, job after job, with the power and flexibility for a variety of duties.

Ought to You Purchase the Leatherman Surge?

Whereas it isn’t absolutely the top-tier multitool within the Leatherman lineup, its mid-tier value displays an admirable construct high quality and flexibility. It sits in that candy spot as a heavier-duty possibility that delivers distinctive high quality, sturdiness, and performance.

The Surge is constructed for severe work, making it a wise alternative if you happen to want a multitool that may deal with robust jobs. It’s not overly flashy however affords all of the rugged reliability and efficiency you count on from a full-featured Leatherman. With its spectacular software selection, sturdy construct, and easy operation, the Surge proves its value with unwavering reliability and enduring efficiency.

Our greatest multitools gear information has extra choices if you wish to see what else is in the marketplace. Right here’s some that give the Surge a run for its cash:

Leatherman Skeletool Assessment: The Leatherman Skeletool affords a extra streamlined and light-weight various to the Surge, catering to customers who worth portability over the sheer variety of instruments. Whereas the Surge is a full-sized multitool with 21 instruments geared towards heavy-duty duties, the Skeletool focuses on versatility with 7 core instruments, together with pliers, a knife, a screwdriver, and a bottle opener. It’s a lot slimmer, simpler to hold, and ideal for on a regular basis use or minimalistic duties. Nonetheless, it sacrifices among the heavier-duty options and load-bearing power of the Surge. The selection comes right down to desire: the Skeletool for portability and ease or the Surge for versatility and energy.

Gerber Multi-Plier Legend Assessment: The Gerber Multi-Plier Legend affords a robust various to the Surge, particularly for these prioritizing rugged design and flexibility. The Surge boasts 21 instruments and is constructed for extra intensive use. The Legend has a extra tactical really feel as nicely, with a novel, one-handed deployment system that makes entry fast and environment friendly. Whereas the Surge leans towards extra instruments and flexibility for demanding jobs, the Gerber affords a stability of sturdiness, simplicity, and ease of use for on a regular basis or tactical conditions.

SOG PowerAccess Deluxe Assessment: The SOG PowerAccess is a robust competitor, providing a barely totally different method to multitool design and performance. Whereas the Surge is a 21-tool  powerhouse constructed for heavy-duty versatility, the PowerAccess retains issues a bit leaner with 19 instruments and a concentrate on modern design and ease of use. One of many standout options of the PowerAccess is its compound leverage system, which makes its pliers exceptionally sturdy and straightforward to function, even with minimal effort. The Surge excels with its full vary of professional quality instruments and intuitive one-handed entry, whereas the PowerAccess emphasizes ergonomic consolation and modern efficiency.