Leatherman Surge vs Leatherman Super Tool 300

Multi tools are built for versatility, and in many hands-on jobs that’s exactly what you need. Full-sized multi tools, like the Leatherman Wave and Rebar, are fine for moderate daily use, but constant, rugged use requires something that was designed with the job in mind.

Heavy-duty Leathermans are built for when you need a no-compromise tool that you can rely on.

The Leatherman Surge and Super Tool 300 are essentially upgrades to the Wave and Rebar respectively, but they bring new tools and capabilities to the table along with the beefier design.

The Leatherman Surge

The Leatherman Surge is an upgraded version of one of Leatherman’s most iconic multi tools, the Leatherman Wave.

The Surge has several more tools, and many of the similar tools are upgraded versions of the Wave’s. Compared to the Super Tool 300, the Surge is larger, has more tools, and has outside-accessible blades.

The Leatherman Surge

The extra, larger tools come at the cost of weight, however, because the Surge is one of the largest multi tools Leatherman makes. It is definitely not for pocket-carry.

Specifications

• Folded Length: 4.5” (11.5 cm)
• Main blade length: 3.1” (7.87cm)
• Weight: 12.5oz (335g)

Included Bits

• Philips #1-2 and 3/16” double-sided screwdriver

Tools

1. Pliers
2. Wire Cutters (replaceable)
3. Electrical Crimper
4. Wire Stripper
5. Straight Blade
6. Serrated Blade
7. Wood Saw
8. Scissors
9. Awl/Leather Punch
10. Ruler (8 in 19 cm)
11. Can/Bottle Opener
12. Coarse Grit File (removeable)
13. Fine Grit File (removable)
14. Blade Exchanger
15. Large Philips/Flathead Bit Driver
16. Flathead Screwdriver (Large/Small)

Ideal Uses

This is an all-around comprehensive set of tools for professions and situations where you do not know what you will encounter, but you want to be ready for it regardless.

The Surge’s design is centered on the two knives which can both be opened from the outside with one hand.

Shortcomings

1. Although the knives can be opened with one hand, the other tools that are supposed to be one-handed are awkward at best. This isn’t such a problem for the saw/file, and the scissors since they only have to be opened once, but the pliers are difficult to open with one hand.
2. The tool is heavy. I personally do not consider this a shortcoming because the Surge’s strength and number of tools are the main selling points. You can’t have a light-weight tool that also never breaks and has a 100% no-compromise toolset.

Tools the Leatherman Surge Lacks

1. Small Philips screw driver
2. Spring-loaded pliers
3. Cork screw
4. Tweezers

Smaller Sized/Larger Sized

For a smaller, lighter-weight version of the Leatherman Surge, check out the Leatherman Wave.

The Surge is the largest multi tool that Leatherman makes.

The Leatherman Super Tool 300

The Super Tool 300 is a comprehensive working-man’s tool that has a very similar toolset to the smaller Leatherman Rebar. It is best used on job sites where the pliers, screw drivers, and wire cutters are used the most often. Compared to the Leatherman Surge, the Super Tool 300 is lighter weight, has no interchangeable bits, and has fewer tools.

The Leatherman Super Tool 300

All of the tools open from the inside, unlike the Surge and the Wave, and its design assumes that the knife will not be the tool used most often since it cannot be opened with one hand.

All the tools on the Super Tool 300 are no-compromise, and there are no removable bits to lose.

Specifications

• Closed length: 4.5” (11.5 cm)
• Weight: 9.6 oz (272.2 g)
• Main blade length: 3.2” (8.1 cm)

Tools

1. Pliers
2. Wire Cutters (Replaceable)
3. Electrical Crimper
4. Wire Stripper
5. Straight Blade
6. Serrated Blade
7. Wood Saw
8. Awl/Leather Punch
9. Ruler
10. Can/Bottle Opener
11. Coarse Grit File
12. Phillips Screwdriver
13. Flathead Screwdrivers (Sm/Med/Lg)

Ideal Uses

The number and type of tools is almost identical to the Leatherman Rebar, so the reason to purchase the upgrade is exclusively in the longer blades, thicker pliers, and more resilient toolset. The Super Tool 300 doesn’t have the same breadth of tools compared to the Surge, but it is also lighter-weight and more affordable.

Shortcomings

1. Three flathead screwdrivers seems like too many. Instead, they should have added scissors. That would also have helped make the Super Tool 300 more distinct from the Rebar. As it is, the Super Tool 300 is hardly different apart from the size.

Tools the Leatherman Super Tool 300 Lacks

1. Scissors
2. Tweezers
3. Removable File
4. Diamond-Coated File
5. Spring-Loaded Pliers
6. Cork Screw
7. Small Philips Screwdriver

Smaller Sized/Larger Sized

For a more compact, lighter version of the Super Tool 300, check out the Leatherman Rebar.

The Super Tool 300 does not have a larger version.

The Bottom Line

For the heaviest, most comprehensive multi tool that Leatherman has to offer, get the Surge.

For a hard-core multi tool with a more limited but no-compromise toolset, get the Super Tool 300.

The biggest difference between the Surge and the Super Tool 300 is that the Surge has two knives, a saw, and a file that open from the outside, while the Super Tool 300 has only inside opening tools. As heavy-duty multi tools, both are best worn on the belt.

P.S. - If you are going to write a review that says “This multi tool is too heavy,” just get a smaller model. These are huge.

Additional Resources

1. Leatherman Surge User Guide
2. Leatherman Super Tool 300 User Guide