In this article I will be comparing the Leatherman Wave Multi Tool and the Leatherman Surge. I will first give a short introduction on what the features are of each. I will then give a brief overview of the pros and cons of each. Finally I will compare the two side by side and give reasons for why would want one over the other.
The Leatherman Surge is one of Leatherman's premier products. It offers 18 tools and 2 exchangeable bits. The Surge boasts that it was built with the company's largest pliers and longest multi tool blades. It also has the ability to exchange blades. It's built tough and has the feel of a serious multi tool.
The Leatherman Wave Multi Tool is smaller than the Surge (4in vs. 4.5in). It has 17 tools and 2 exchangeable bits. The Leatherman Wave is the most popular Leatherman ever sold by the company. Its claim to fame is its blades which are accessible without opening the pliers and using only one hand. The Wave was redesigned in 2004 with larger knives, stronger pliers, longer wire cutters, and all-locking blades.
One pro for the Leatherman Wave Multi Tool would be its size, which makes it perfect for carrying on your belt in its leather sheath. Another pro would be the Wave's weight (8.5oz vs. 12.5oz). The Wave is the perfect weight for carrying on you all the time. One more pro, although this may not be a pro for everyone, is that the Wave is hands down the most popular Leatherman available and because of that it has been road tested quite a bit and you probably already know someone who owns one and can ask them for any tips or tricks they've learned along the way.
One con for the Leatherman Wave would be that if you are doing serious work and need large tools such as large pliers or large knifes, you are out of luck. Another con would be the lack of interchangeable blades. One last con would be that there is no Awl on the Wave.
One pro for the Leatherman Surge is its large tools such as large pliers and large knives. Another pro would be its solid feel and construction. Another pro would be the interchangeable blades. One last pro would be the Awl with thread loop that the Leatherman Wave Multi Tool lacks.
One con for the Leatherman Surge would be that the Surge is larger and heavier than the Wave and is really meant to be carried in your pack and not on your belt. Another con I have heard is that the Surge can pinch your skin when opening and closing access to some tools.
Overall, whether you use the Leatherman Wave Multi Tool or the Leatherman Surge is based on how you plan to use your tools. If you need something that you can keep on you pretty much all the time and bring out for small jobs, then go with the Wave. If, on the other hand, you want a tool you can take with you, in your pack, out to jobs that require larger and heavier tools, go with the Surge.
I hope this helps in deciding between two of the best Leatherman products ever made.
