Leatherman Surge or Victorinox SwissTool one-hand?

O

Outdoors 02

Joined
Sep 25, 2022
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5
Hello!

This is my first post on BladeForums. I'm looking at heavy-duty multi-tools. Here are my criteria:

- I love one handed-blades (I live in a colder area and being able to access the blade(s) with gloves on is very handy);
- I'm really a function-over-form type of person, meaning that fit and finish aren't really important to me;
- I love my 2nd generation Wave but I would also like something more robust.

After doing research, I've narrowed it down to the Surge and SwissTool MX/MXBS. The Surge is less expensive, I like the various replaceable parts (wire cutters, saw, file and screwdriver bits) as well as the Leatherman warranty and the T-shank blade holder. On the other hand, Victorinox multi-tools only have rave reviews. I think the Surge would suit my needs better but I'd like to hear about owner's experiences..

Thank you!
 
I personally prefer the surge...the hole works (for me) a little better than the knobbin on the swisstool. I had swiss and traded it for something else.

Now, for my personal use, I actually find that my wave+ will do everything my surge does lol. So maybe for more flavor in your life, get the swisstool to try something different.

The surge is a bit heavier as well, if that matters. I think you'll be fine with whichever you pick, good luck!
 
Welcome!
I have never owned a large Vic multi tool, but I have handled a few. I think they are generally better in the fit and finish department.

I have EDCed a Leatherman pretty much nonstop for about 23 years. My wife got me a Surge as a wedding gift 17 years ago. I have used it a lot.

...that said, it's not really one of my favorite tools. I could take or leave the removable bits for the most part. The jaws of mine (and the one LM replaced it with when I accidentally welded the tool mess with live electricity. Oops! Check your breakers!) would jam into the other tools when I tried to close it by butterflying it against my thigh. IMHO, there is just too much crammed into one overly heavy tool. I switched to a Supertool 300 years ago, and I really like the simplicity of the tool when I'm on the jobsite and want a HD tool.

Of your two choices, I think the Vic is better.

Best of luck :)
 
Steely_Gunz said:
Welcome!
I have never owned a large Vic multi tool, but I have handled a few. I think they are generally better in the fit and finish department.

I have EDCed a Leatherman pretty much nonstop for about 23 years. My wife got me a Surge as a wedding gift 17 years ago. I have used it a lot.

...that said, it's not really one of my favorite tools. I could take or leave the removable bits for the most part. The jaws of mine (and the one LM replaced it with when I accidentally welded the tool mess with live electricity. Oops! Check your breakers!) would jam into the other tools when I tried to close it by butterflying it against my thigh. IMHO, there is just too much crammed into one overly heavy tool. I switched to a Supertool 300 years ago, and I really like the simplicity of the tool when I'm on the jobsite and want a HD tool.

Of your two choices, I think the Vic is better.

Best of luck :)
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Thank you, I'd even say that glove-friendliness is even more important to me than one-handed access... The Supertool 300 can be added to my shortlist.
 
Outdoors 02 said:
Thank you, I'd even say that glove-friendliness is even more important to me than one-handed access... The Supertool 300 can be added to my shortlist.
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The 300 isn't bad with gloves. I will say that it is obviously more difficult to dig in and fish out what you want after opening the tool up compared to the Wave or Surge.

In all honesty, while maybe a bit gimmicky and slightly overpriced, I think the P series makes for a fantastic carry tool if you want the ease of access of the Wave for all the tools. If they release a version with an upgraded blade steel like the Charge, I would be all over it. It's not a bruiser like the Surge, but it sure does carry nicely in the pocket.

Anyway, I'm off topic. The ST is a great tool if you are OK with fiddling with the tool more. Mine is at least 10 or 12 years old and broken in all loosey goosey. When I want to access a tool, I will literally grab it by one handle and sling the tool open like a balisong causing the bits inside to fan out. I just thumb open the one I want and slide the rest closed. It's a very effective if a bit theatric way of accessing the tools ;)
 
Hi all!

I discovered that a simple Skeletool suits my needs very well... Less is more in this case! I love its simple design, which makes it easier to clean, maintain and disassemble. Its multiple carry options are awesome too. Thanks for the replies!
 
I'm confused how you went from wanting something more robust, to something less robust than what you already had. Anyway, to answer your first question, I have carried the Surge for about 15 years, occasionally swapping it with a Swisstool, I always end up switching back. I much prefer the easier access tools and the needle nose pliers are better than the more blunt pliers on the Swisstool. (at least for my uses) Either one is a good solid tool and would serve anyone well.
 
After spending some time out in the field, I've come to the conclusion that the occasions where I need a heavy-duty tool are actually quite rare, to the point that my Skeletool is good in most cases (I'm more of a white-collar person, but I love being in the outdoors and tinkering in my garage in my free time). I'd like to have a heavy-duty tool if ever I'm stuck in a situation where my tools are insufficient (which I don't anticipate, but I'd better be safe than sorry). I'm leaning towards the Surge because:

- I already have the bit kit;
- I like the Wave-style tools (including the Surge, which is basically a beefed up wave). The blades are glove-friendly, and I can get the inside tools out with a flick of my thumb at their pivot point;
- Many replaceable parts, if they get worn out (including the file and saw, which are exclusive to the Surge);
- Pliers that have robust jaws yet have a quite precise needle-nose portion;

Hope this clears up the confusion.
 
There really isn't any comparison between the Swiss tool and leatherman in my opinion. The leather man may be adequate for your needs and certainly has one handed capabilities that the Swiss tool does not, but after that its all Swiss tool all the way. Better fit and finish, better ergonomics, quality tools that all lock... Its just better.
 
Triton said:
There really isn't any comparison between the Swiss tool and leatherman in my opinion. The leather man may be adequate for your needs and certainly has one handed capabilities that the Swiss tool does not, but after that its all Swiss tool all the way. Better fit and finish, better ergonomics, quality tools that all lock... Its just better.
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The tools on the Surge all lock, as on the Wave. Also, in my original post, I mentioned that fit and finish aren't what I'm after. In regard to ergonomics, I like the fact that the Swisstool's implements are all on the outside and they are smooth to operate, but I prefer the ability to fan out the tools on Leathermans since I'm able to do so even with gloves on (by flicking my thumb at their pivot, as I said). I haven't mentioned that live in a colder area (temperatures can reach -40) and access with gloves matters to me probably more than most. That being said, thank you for taking the time to reply. Cheers!
 
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