Heavy duty multi-tools are the workhorses of the multi-tool world. They’re designed to tackle the tough jobs – day in day out. Tradesman, do-it-yourselfers and anyone who needs to rely on a utility tool they can put some muscle into it without it bending or breaking.
I own and use over a dozen full-sized multi-tools and every time I’m faced with a tough job around the house, it’s the Leatherman Surge that I go for. It’s the dependable choice that’s as solid in the hand as it is in use. It’s why it’s my strong recommendation for the Heavy Duty Multi-Tool crown. MacGyver says “Buy It!” I’ve got the stainless steel version and it also comes in a black oxide finish.
One of the reasons the Surge is solid is because Leatherman has used a lot of stainless steel to make each of the tools. All that steel is the reason why the Surge is known as the heavyweight of the multi-tool world weighing in at a substantial 12.5 oz (335 gms). That makes it not only Leatherman’s heaviest multi-tool but the heaviest multi-tool of the 4 big brands (Gerber, SOG, Leatherman, and Victorinox).
But the Surge wouldn’t get my strong recommendation if it was just a solid multi-tool – it also needs to have a great toolset. It needs the right tools and they have to be designed well and good at what they do. The Surge scores high marks on all 3 fronts.
The Surge isn’t short of tool functions, packing in a total of 21 of them.
Replaceable Wire Cutters and Outside Accessible Tools
One of the things I look for in my multi-tool pliers is replaceable wire cutting blades. I want to be able to use the wire cutters without worrying about the blades if I accidentally put a dent in them. Leatherman will sell you a replacement set of blades for under $10 so if you get too ambitious, just shell out a few dollars and keep moving.
Another thing I look for is what tools I can get easy access to without opening the handles. You can flip out 4 tools on the Surge. There’s a couple of blades – a straight blade knife and a serrated knife (both 3.1 inches). There’s also an interchangeable 3-sided file that can handle wood or metal and a wood saw blade. You get both tools as standard and you can swap them out depending on what you use the most. The 4th outside accessible tool is a pair of scissors. A good pair of scissors – the ones on the Surge are a decent size and spring-loaded – they come in really handy for so many different jobs. More useful than you might think and they’re definitely worth the real estate they take up. I’ve cut through some pretty tough stuff with these scissors.
Open up the handles and nail nicks gives you easy access to a couple of sizes of flathead screwdrivers, a threaded awl (awls are “awl-some”) bottle opener and can opener – all sturdy, usable and lockable. But the cherry on the toolset cake is the bit driver. It comes standard with a Phillips head screwdriver bit one end and flathead on the other. Buy the optional Leatherman 21 double ended piece bit kit and add a heck of a lot of additional functionality.
There is one thing about the Leatherman Surge that tarnishes its crown just a little. It doesn’t come as standard with a pocket clip or a sheath. But Leatherman does sell a pocket clip for the Surge that will cost you under $10. Check the current price on Amazon. There’s a stainless steel and a black version. You’ll need to think if your trousers are up to the task before clipping the Surge to your pocket though, at 12 and a half ounces, you might have to pull your belt another notch tighter!
Leatherman will also sell you a nylon sheath or Molle sheath and you can get the Surge, a sheath and extra hex bits in a package deal. I recommend this is the way to go as the most convenient way to carry the Surge and the extra bits. Keeps it all in one place. Sensible.
So if you want a dependable multi-tool for everyday use that will handle the bigger jobs, you can’t go wrong with the Leatherman Surge. It comes in stealthy black oxide finish or traditional stainless steel. Check out the prices on Amazon.