LEATHERMAN Surge – Heavy-duty multipurpose multi-tool
LEATHERMAN Surge – Heavy-duty multipurpose multi-tool with 21 tools including full-size lockable blades, regular and needlenose pliers and wire cutters, DIY tool made in the USA, in stainless steel
Surge
The Leatherman Surge, the original American multi-tool
With its impressive 21 tools, the Surge is so easy to put in some tool boxes. And thanks to the universal T-change bracket, you can exchange saw or file quickly – even with standard saw blades from other manufacturers.
Tool holder
Scissors, saw.
Wood/metal saw
Diamond coated file
Large and small bit holder
Awl with eyelet
Bottle opener, can opener
Stripping blade
Pendant eyelet
>Surge
- Needle Nose
- Normal pliers
- Wire cutter
- Hard wire cutter
- Wire cutter
- Crimping pliers
- 420HC knife
- 420HC serrated blade
| Weight: | 355 g |
| Dimensions: | 11.5 x 4 x 2 cm; 355 Grams |
| Model: | 830165 |
| Part: | LT850 |
| Colour: | Silver With Nylon Sheath |
| Pack Quantity: | 1 |
| Batteries Required: | No |
| Batteries Included: | No |
| Manufacture: | Leatherman |
| Dimensions: | 11.5 x 4 x 2 cm; 355 Grams |
| Quantity: | 1 |
Brilliant tool, well thought out and very well made. Using standard Bosch fitting holder is genius, and the screwdriver uses standard screwdriver bits. Every tool works excellently, even the scissors are a decent size. Very happy!!
If you want a big sturdy do anything utility knife. Buy this. Can’t say more than that. It’s awesome.
This multitool is the only product ever bought from Amazon and is totally worthy and is one of the most rugged and versatile tools ever owned. Too bad because UK legislation and cannot be used as edc but great tool at home or maybe in the ca
Reassuringly heavy , the surge is extremely sturdy and versatile. There’s the usual suspects – knives, screwdrivers and saws. The wood saw is removable and can be replaced with a supplied file attachment. On mine the scissors spring doesn’t always engage first time, but a good firm press gets it to lock into place. This is my second Leatherman, the last one served me well for 20 years (it didn’t break, I accidently left it in my hand luggage as I went through airport security!).
All the other Leathermen are a couple of steps up from a Swiss Army Knife, but the Surge is bigger, heavier and more robust, making it a tool that can tackle more demanding jobs and, hopefully, should last a long time. Very pleased with this purchase. Pity it’s illegal in the UK to carry in public, but then so are all of them with locking blades, but if carried in a toolkit, or for use around the house and garden it is a very useful and versatile tool.
It’s a leatherman. So yes you are paying for the name. But they work. It’s worth spending the money.
The handiest thing on this model is the blade you use most is on the outside, so you don’t have to open the pliers to get a blade out. The changeable bit kit is very good. It’s a toolbox on your belt.
The only downside I’ve found is the weight and it’s quite bulky on your belt.
Perfect for work or camping.
I have always wanted a Leatherman but it was not until the demise of my Swiss Army knife (a gift 15 years ago) that i had good reason to purchase one. The initial inspection was a bit confusing as the instruction booklet did not have my precise model in there. After a few minutes it dawned on me that there was no way the tools on info booklet could be on my Leatherman.
After that it has assisted with me when gardening, doing small maintenance on lawnmowers/strimmers and general house maintenance (adjusting screws etc). It feels robust with a reassuring weight. Best of all it is not laden with too many tools that just get in the way when selecting the tool you want.
This is the perfect tool for people who just want a general day to day multi-tool that, when used in front of others, does not make you look like a MacGyver wannabe. A great buy.
Quality tool, but arrived with a loose screw holding the serrated blade and scissors, was a PITA getting the right tools to tighten due to the use of security Torx, disappointed in this quality control failure at this price range
Couldn’t decide on whether to buy the Surge or Wave+, pleased that I chose this Surge as it just feels sturdy & solid and you can feel the quality in your hand. Comes with Nylon pouch not leather as stated but the nylon is more supple and suits my needs better. Initially the tool was very stiff to open and close but after a few days of use it is now perfectly smooth to use. The Surge is not as heavy as many would like to make out so don’t let that put you off. A great price of 93.99 on Amazon was also a deciding factor for me over the Wave version. Buy with confidence you won’t be disappointed.
Had a leatherman charge tti fantastic piece of kit used heavily every day had it for several years then left it behind on a job gone. Looking for a replacement didnt want to pay charge tti prices. looked at the surge. Bigger and sturdier than the charge in fact for what I use them for its a much better tool. Very very impressed especially at the price.
Superb multi tool. This must be (at least) my 6th leatherman and I would argue the best of the ones I own (certainly at this price – 92 at time of buying).
Bought this one for use at work. I broke the sidekick I previously used (by the way the leatherman warranty is fantastic – replaced no question And given to my father in law).
The surge feels sturdier and more robust than the Rev, sidekick, the wingman I’ve previously owned and the wave’s I have elsewhere.
Size wise it takes some getting used to but it isn’t much different to the wave in reality (certainly not as much as is made out on some reviews – that said it is personal preference).
The side opening knife, scissors and file/ saw combo is a bonus and avoids the need to open the pliers to get the tool out. Knife locks are simple to operate and work well.
The only things I miss with this is the jewellery screwdriver that the wave has (but there is a work round online if you look into it). And the fact you have to buy the pocket clip separately – you would expect a tool at this price to come with this.
A great multi tool for all needs. Superb quality from Leatherman.
Have had mine for several years and always comes in handy – compact enough to carry in a bag or on the belt. You can feel the quality of this in the weight of it alone, very sturdy and able to handle a lot of force.
Would definitely get another Leatherman when the time comes for it.
I love this tool, the blade was razor sharp out of the box. All tools are great infact- except for the flat head screw driver. The first time I used it with any kind of pressure the bit twisted, so it is no longer straight. I could tell from the type of metal used for the bits that this would be the case, reminds me of cheap bits you get with bog standard bit drivers. Having said that, I didn’t buy this tool for the flat head, so no real concerns here. It does lose a star for that fact though as it does cheapen the whole experience.
I have been owning and using the leatherman wave for 3 years. It’s a brilliant tool that fits my hand well, smoothly deployment, a bunch of brilliant tools and can easily be EDCed. And now when i have in my hand the new Surge, my beloved wave seems like a toy.
The Surge is like the Wave on Steroid and meant to be for super heavy-duty kinds of work. Please ignore who claim it is heavy, no it is a tool, feels like a real tool without any compromise. You are a man, not a boy.
Wanted one for ages so finally decided to treat myself. I know there are far cheaper ones on the market but you get what you pay for. Build quality is superb and I can see these lasting for many years to come.
There is only one complaint about the tool and that is the weight it kind of pulls the trousers down a wee bit but other than that fantastic tool can’t fault the functionality of it I use it every day at work and hasn’t let me dow
I currently use this and a lightweight Skeletool. One of the two is always with me. I’ve gone for the accessory bits as well. They work with both but not had time to test yet on this tool.
Only downsides,
1. Scissors are mediocre, they work ok but not to the same standard as everything else.
2. Nylon Case, this came with the biggest standard case and the tool has to be forced in. there is no way the added bits will fit a s well.
Main upside, was the Surge at under 100- outstanding value!
Great quality as usual from leatherman.. and a great price. I wouldn’t have to have purchased this one if I hadn’t lost my last one as leatherman has an excellent customer service and have repaired and replaced my last one for over 10 years..
Really pleased. I knew it was going to be a fairly hefty tool but it’s everything I was hoping for. I did a lot of research for this and everything about it meets up to what I had been hoping for.
Looks as if it could survive a nuclear strike, solid piece of kit. I love the idea that you can replace components that are damaged or broken and that you can swap out the ‘jigsaw’ blades making it customizable to boot.
Would like a bit more room in the sheath, I doubt that you can get both sets of screwdriver bits in it, plus the files/’jigsaw’ blades. I may have to make myself a custom leather sheath for it, only time will tell.
Pros;High quality finish, blades and tools are all well formed for precise fit for task.
Cons; too bulky and heavy to carry as a pocket tool,bit driver is not a universal fit so only brand bits used,long blades too far from center mass offers poor contol under heavy use which may risk slipping off task,blades made be left bent after use, easily straightened but over time….
Over all. Its over priced as just a pair of pliers and the tools are for “make do only” below par as a pocket knife or as a multi tool, but its the best pair of pliers i own.
What can I say that hasn’t already been said….
Yes this is the latest version of the Surge and it does come with the 4 pocket nylon sheath (the best one I.m.o)
Without doubt the best multitool I’ve owned,and I’ve had a lot! The blade change system is fantastic and blows other manufacturers out of the water, no one else offers this kind of versatility.
Simply put,you can’t buy better.
If Carlsberg made multitools……….
I have had my Leatherman Wave for 20 years and it is still like new. This new one was for my sons 24th birthday. I am blown away by how much better it has become. I am so jealous. Hope his lasts the lifetime I think mine will last.
This is a lovely, sturdy, well thought out but of kit. Everything works as it should, very well in fact. The ability to change out the ‘file’ for any other ‘t-shank’ jig saw blade is a fantastic feature (comes with a wood/metal file blade and a saw blade in a separate 2 blade pouch).
The only down side is the screwdriver. While it works perfectly, the bits are a stupid ‘flat’ shape, which means you can only use bits made by Leatherman. However, if you buy the Leatherman Bit Extender, not only does it increase the reach of the screw driver, but it also lets you use normal removable hex bits (which everyone has). RESULT!
Certainly not a cheap tool, but I expect this tool will outlast me if I look after it.
If you are searching for a Leatherman you’ll already know that they produce quality kit. The Surge is just excellent with all the features and tools needed for everyday use.
The tool came with a spare file and the nylon pouch, which also has a very secure snaplock stud. It is heavy and chunky but nonetheless, a well built indestructible tool you won’t be able to live without once you’ve owned one and start, to use it regularly. Great price as well. I don’t have another to compare it with but I would be happy to say on close inspection the item appears very genuine and has become my go to tool for everyday use. Especially handy on expeditions when you don’t want to carry a ton of tools with you.
Overall this is the best multi tool in the world. It’s a little bit larger and a little bit heavier than most multi tools – but this just adds to the quality feel of it. Seriously, some people go on about the weight of it like it’s a problem. It’s a multi tool – it’s not heavy!! It just feels solid.
So far I’ve used the pliers for some fairly heavy duty work and as expected they are rock solid. I’ve used the aerated blade for cutting through thick fabric / material (the stuff that covers a shed roof) and it also performed spectacularly.
This this is awesome. Just buy it.
Not had much chance to use yet but v pleased so far. High expectations.
One issue with the delivery which was prompt but instead of waiting for the signature, as legally(?) required it was just pushed through letter box. Convenient for me but there is supposed to be check on buying because of the blades, I think
Love it.
I purchased my first Leatherman in 2003 which was fab, but sadly stolen.
I purchased this in the spring of 2018 and the shift in quality since then has been dramatic. I’ve used it pretty much endlessly and despite some scratches and scrapes, it’s never faltered once. I’ve never had to question it’s ability to grip, twist, cut or screw
We’ll worth the money. Comes with a nice strong leather belt case.
I’ve always been more of a Victorinox guy, and have seen so many arguments about who’s best : Victorinox or Leatherman, but many are sensible and say (and I agree) there’s no reason why not to have both, as both are “the best” and can co-exist, much like Marvel & DC.
From what little use of it I have had so far it’s been a winner, the thing feels like a beast in the hand, and it’s not as heavy as some would lead you to believe.
For obvious reasons (the locking blade – which, like the other locking tool, is solid) it’s not street legal in the UK (except in certain circumstances) so it’s really a tool for home. It really is a tank of engineering and I would whole-heartedly recommend it to people who are a little “hmmm, not sure……”
My only gripe is that the screwdriver doesn’t feel as natural to use as a full length screwdriver, it can take a little to get used to.
I’ve just ordered the bit extender to go with it, which is an additional cost, but from what I understand is worth it. It’s a shame that the extender doesn’t come as standard with the Surge, but still, if the quality of the extender matches that of the Surge itself? I’m happy with that.
Oh, and be careful with the blades, they come real sharp out of the box…..
The tool itself you can’t fault. It’s a shame that the tool is accompanied by the worst and most abysmal quality leather pouch going, I nearly lost the tool twice because it has stretched and torn.
I’ve now bought a larger MOLLE pouch which I can fit it and extra tools and keys into without fear of losing it.
Before the Surge I had a Fuse, which I was very happy with, but I hankered after changeable bits, a saw, a file, and blades that could be opened without unfolding the multitool. My first impression of the Surge was the weight! It is much heavier than my old Fuse, but it’s very well made, and is beautifully engineered. It gives you confidence that it’ll tackle any job you ask without being damaged.
The supplied Leatherman leather sheath is also well made, and the Surge fits perfectly. There are elasticated pockets on each side that I use to carry a small LED Lenser penlight torch and a pen. Since the pockets are open at the bottom, you have to be careful that items don’t fall right through them.
I have carried the Surge in its sheath on my belt every day for the last five months, and both are holding up very well indeed. The black coating on the leather has worn away in a few places, but shoe polish should fix that. The black coating on the brass pop stud has also partially worn away, but again that’s an easy fix. The pop stud and belt loop still hold secure, and the leather is still good and strong.
As for the Surge, nothing has broken or become loose, and everything feels just as tight as the day I got it! It gets used for a multitude of tasks, and I regularly use the plain knife, scissors, bit exchanger, large and small screwdrivers, pliers and wire-cutters; and to a lesser extent the diamond file, saw, ruler and awl.
I also purchased the Bit Kit Leatherman Wave Bit Kit , and carry that in a Leatherman nylon sheath together with a small mobile phone. I had hoped that the two-card Bit Kit would fit in the leather sheath, along with the Surge, torch and pen, but it didn’t. I then bought the nylon sheath, hoping they would all fit in there instead! Although everything DID fit in the nylon one, it felt too bulky, so I now wear both sheaths, with items distributed between them.
In summary, I am extremely happy with my Surge, and if I lost it, or it got stolen, I would immediately go and buy another one to replace it. I have no hesitation in awarding it five stars.
This is a great tool, my fianc was over the moon and he takes it everywhere with him!!! Only minus, the leather pouch which seems that it’s not going to last very long.
Having owned a wave for 15 years, wanted a bit beefier knife for daily use in construction. The scissors are a massive improvement on the wave, but it is a shame that the saw and diamond blade cannot be mounted at the same time.
Brilliant tool and top quality. As a Groundworker / Digger driver it gets used daily. Be warned its very heavy. I use it with the pocket clip which can be purchased separately and makes carrying it alot easier. Otherwise it might be best kept in a tool box.
The Surge is an extremely well made and very strong multi tool. I work as a handyman and to say it is a useful bit of kit to have on you at all times is an understatement. My only regret? is that I did not buy the nylon pouch that lets you have the tool on your belt with the plier’s open and the bit accessory set. I will get them soon.
Never let me down. Be careful not to put it under more stress than it can handle otherwise it will break. I haven’t. It hasn’t. But I am mindful of how much stress I put it under.
Great item. Don’t prize up paving slabs with it though!
Irritatingly the screws are not common hex keys but use a proprietary design, which means it cannot be readily user-serviced to, for example, tighten or loosen the tools. The large blade is decently sharp out of the box – my only complaint being it is not always clear whether it is locked into place; slightly alarming in an outside-opening design. The other outside-opening features lock crisply into place; worth noting that the scissors’ spring mechanism only works when they are locked – something I missed on first inspection.
The inner tools do rely on old-fashioned ‘clumping’ to open, especially the can opener, but have a very thick, high-quality feel to the steel, and the Phillips head screwdriver can be further augmented with accessories which offer a range of bits.
Overall it’s a very well-engineered, precise-feeling tool, only very slightly marred by some old-fashioned design decisions and its lack of user-serviceability.
I have had the original PST Leatherman man for over twenty years and it is still as good as new but I decided I wanted something a little bit better with locking tools and when I saw the Surge at this price I had to have it! Another surprise was the fact that this is the new 2013 model too, so well chuffed as the 2013 model usually retails for around 125!
This (little!) tool is absolutely superb, rock solid build quality and superb finish that you would expect from leatherman and even the leather case is of very good quality!
I have not used my Surge yet but I know that its going to do its job and do it well…Leatherman really are the best of the best and worth the money, as they say, buy cheap, buy twice!
PS: Please be aware that because the Blades lock it is not legal carry in the UK, You can have it with you for legitimate purposes such as using it for your trade, ie, Electrician, but you can’t take it in a pub or to a football match (Is anyone daft enough to do that anyway?) and of course you can keep it in your kitchen draw for those little emergencies!
The build quality of the Surge (new 2013 model) is excellent and every function of the tool works perfectly just as expected. I was especially pleased by the scissors and the main blade, which are very useful. On the other hand I don’t think including two flathead screwdrivers is really useful, the big one should probably be replaced with something else. The blade exchanger and the bit driver are really good and they add a lot of versatility to the tool.
I would certainly recommend the Surge 2013 to anyone looking for a heavy duty multi-tool.
I brought the leatherman surge as an update to the wingman I have been using daily for about 12 months, the wingman is a tough tool but nothing compared to the mighty surge. This things built to last thats for sure, very well made, no play in any of the moving parts at all, unlike the wingman that did suffer with play almost everwhere. You get what you pay for with a surge, lots of money but lots of quality. Ive never seen a tool so well made, just brilliant! I got the 2013 updated model to my suprise as the pictures on the advert shows the old model, I was pleased with the updates and better build quality the 2013 model has to offer like the new plier head cutters and better saw attachment. Some reviews I read about the surge said its to big for EDC….. I dont think so, the bigger the better ! And the little extra weight lets you know its tough as nails…..If your sat there wondering wether to spend on this I say get it, I know you wont be disappointed with the quality of this amazing piece of kit.
Main differences are replaceable wire cutter blades in the pliers, better scissor design, better locking release on screwdrivers etc. (all tools lock, not just the knife blades), hole in the exchangeable saw blades for better seating. The one change I don’t like is that the fine flat and Philips reversible eye-glass precision screwdriver has been replaced with a small flat blade driver, which is odd when you consider the removeable bits in the other handle can replicate the new blade. The bits take the the Leatherman bits from the bit kit and if you buy the extender you can use normal electric screwdriver hex bits and hex shank drill bits (unpowered of course!!). The Leather man bits are hex bits with sides shaved off to fit a slim folding profile.
The build quality is excellent and this is a hefty tool, bigger and heavier than the wave or wingman. You have 2 blades, scissors and removeable saw on the outside, all locking. The saw takes T-shank jigsaw blades, I used Argos Piranha own brand ones and they fitted fine. I guess Bosch ones will fit too. It comes with a wood blade and a hacksaw / file both of which seem good quality.
So I think that the new Surge is an excellent tool which I give 5 stars for. Amazon gets 2 as you don’t know which one you’ll get, or where it is shipped from. As I indicated above I knew the new model was out and am OK with receiving the new one, but you really ought to know what version you are buying when you part with your cash. Search You Tube for video reviews of the old and new one.
Bought this as a present for my son but tempted to keep it, I have an original one but since then they have updated the tool, in pliers mode the handle is turned around so doesn’t hurt the palms of your hand (as mine does) think they must have copied the opposition.
Good solid heavy tool
Very pleased with the quality of the leatherman surge, very useful tool to have so many uni-tools in one location to hand. I would like to see a ratchet design for screw bits , one day this might happen. The idea of putting in saw bits from jigsaws for replacements is an excellent design. Top marks for leatherman.
It seems that most of the other tools will be familiar to anyone who has owned a Swiss Army knife or a pocket tool, possibly with the exception of the bit drivers and blade exchanger. The drivers are metal sockets that, unless you buy an adaptor, only take Leatherman’s proprietary screwdriver bits so you won’t be able to use the 300 hex-ended drivers you’ve had sitting in a drawer for the past 15 years. You only get two bits with the Surge – a small double-ended jeweller’s bit and a large double-ended bit, but others are available as a set should you want them. Even though they’ve given me no trouble yet, I would question the quality of Leatherman’s bits, partly from reading other peoples’ experiences with them on the internet and partly because mine don’t feel particularly robust; the older bit sets in black plastic holders seem to be the ones to go for, if you’re desperate for additional ones.
The blade exchanger is something that you’ll either love as ingenious and forward-thinking, or hate as awkward and restrictive. A simple sliding-lock adaptor, it takes either Leatherman’s wood and saw blades (one of each being included) or any jigsaw blades with a t-shank fitment – I’ve found that Bosch branded blades work well, after a bit of cutting down to fit. What the exchanger does is to do away with your reliance on a single fixed blade that could snap, thereby rendering it completely useless. What it also does is to force you to carry at least one other blade in your pocket, if you’re likely to need more than one during the course of your day. I’m never that far from my tool box, which contains an ample supply of spare blades, but I still find the exchanger to be a clever and useful tool, even if it doesn’t grip some of the thinner jigsaw blades as well as it does Leatherman’s proprietary blades, so they tend to rattle a bit.
Other than that rattle, all of the Surge’s tools lock open firmly with no hint of play at all and the pliers feel extremely solid once deployed. While they lack the technological intricacies found on certain other multi-tools, they incorporate a wire cutter and wire stripper, and are big and robust – it’s obvious that they account for much of the Surge’s weight. Having been spoiled with the marvel that is compound leverage pliers, the ones on the Surge, while rugged, are pretty agricultural and I get the impression that I’d do myself an injury if I tried to use them in the same way. Squeezing them as hard probably wouldn’t hurt the pliers at all, but I couldn’t say the same about my hand, although they do have smooth, rounded handles which does help somewhat.
I’ve heard a few complaints about the quality of recent Leatherman tools, in particular the steel used in their construction, and I have to admit that my Surge (a 2010 model) doesn’t quite seem to have the tightness and solidity of older versions. There’s some movement in the handles with the pliers closed, making them rattle against each other, and the wire cutters don’t close together as closely and precisely as on some other multi-tools. The steel scales look and feels to be of lesser quality than Leatherman tools of old, with a few tarnishes on mine straight out of the box, none of which are serious though. Maybe it’s just me finding fault, and to date my Surge has been faultless, but I still worry that it couldn’t take hard use (or hard weather) quite as well as some of my other multi-tools.
My Surge came with a lovely part nylon / part leather premium pouch with a leather belt loop and nylon loops on either side that look like the kind of places you’d put pens or very thin torches. The pouch doesn’t have any pockets for additional driver bits or spare exchanger blades, but it does have an opening at the bottom which the pliers’ jaws can poke through, allowing you to carry the Surge with the pliers open or closed. My only complaint about the pouch is that cracks appeared in the leather under the closing popper literally after only a day; an unavoidable product of me bending the leather in that spot when opening it, which I hope doesn’t turn into something more serious.
Having bought my share of multi-tools over the years, I came to the conclusion that the perfect tool, combining complete portability with complete practicality, was something I wouldn’t see, so I gave up on that idea and now buy different tools for different jobs. The Leatherman Surge sits towards the `practicality’ end of the scale, with a hefty stainless steel body and tools for almost every job, but it’s still no bigger or heavier than any other full-size multi-tool I’ve handled. I like my Surge very much, but it’s certainly not perfect. It does have some really nice innovations and some heavy-duty (for a multi-tool) accessories mounted in a chassis that I have some doubts about; if the pliers were a bit more advanced and the body felt better made, it would certainly be a 5-star product.
I like the saw blade exchanger; it’s compatible with Bosch jig saw blades so replacements are cheap and you can fit a metal cutting blade if you want. Some may find it frustrating to have to swap between the saw and file blades though – the Wave has saw and file as separate tools so they’re both always ready to use.
Worth noting that the pictures don’t quite match the sheath that I received with mine (I bought direct from Amazon, not from any of the marketplace sellers). It’s the “standard” leather sheath (this one: […] not the “premium” leather/nylon sheath that’s pictured.
Well worth reading the instruction sheet if you buy one of these. There’s a trick to getting the scissors to lock in the open position that might not be immediately obvious, and there’s also a well-hidden lanyard ring that you probably won’t find without the help of the instructions!