Comparison

Leatherman Surge vs Super Tool 300: Which Is Better? (October 2026)

Updated on · By the Obsessionism team

Choose the Surge for its interchangeable saw and file, or the Super Tool 300 for 19 tools and a glove-friendly handle. The Leatherman Surge vs Super Tool 300 choice comes down to which features suit your work.

On this page (6 sections)
  1. Leatherman Surge vs Super Tool 300: what’s the main difference?
  2. Which one is easier to carry?
  3. Which tool set fits your work?
  4. How do the Surge and Super Tool 300 compare on size?
  5. Should you choose a third option instead?
  6. Which should you choose?

Choose the Surge for its interchangeable saw and file, or the Super Tool 300 for a glove-friendly handle and 19 tools. In this Leatherman Surge vs Super Tool 300 comparison, the best fit depends on the tasks you handle and the weight you’re willing to carry.

Both fold to 4.5 in. The Surge is listed at 12.8 oz, while the Super Tool 300 weighs 272.15 g, about 9.6 oz.

The Surge has 21 tools and an interchangeable saw blade and file. The Super Tool 300 has 19 tools, a handle designed to be gripped with gloves and a lanyard ring.

Leatherman SurgeBest for interchangeable saw and file

Leatherman Surge

8.8/10Our score

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Leatherman Super Tool 300Best for glove-friendly grip

Leatherman Super Tool 300

8.5/10Our score

See it on Amazon

Leatherman Surge vs Super Tool 300: what’s the main difference?

The Surge has more tools and a swappable saw and file; the Super Tool 300 is lighter and emphasizes a glove-friendly grip. Both are full-size options with a 4.5 in folded length.

The Surge’s tool count is 21-in-1. Leatherman describes it as one of its biggest multitools, with its largest pliers and longest blades.

The Super Tool 300 has 19 tools, including knives, pliers, screwdrivers, wire cutters, an electrical crimper, a wire stripper, openers, a file, a saw, an awl and a ruler. Its handle is designed to be gripped with gloves.

Which Leatherman Surge vs Super Tool 300 feature matters most?

The Surge’s standout feature is its interchangeable saw blade and file. Leatherman says the saw suits bigger tasks such as cutting branches, while the file can smooth edges or trim wood.

The Super Tool 300’s standout feature is its glove-friendly handle, backed by a 19-tool set and lanyard ring. Its tools lock when fully opened, except for the pliers head.

Which one is easier to carry?

The Super Tool 300 is lighter by the listed weights, and both have a 4.5 in folded length. The Surge weighs 12.8 oz; the Super Tool 300 weighs 272.15 g, or about 9.6 oz.

That difference may matter if you carry a multitool through a full shift or keep it in a pocket. The folded length is the same, so weight is the clearest carrying distinction in these figures.

The Super Tool 300 also has a lanyard ring, which gives you an attachment point. Neither the ring nor the lower weight guarantees a particular carry style will feel comfortable, so consider how you plan to keep it within reach.

If you want a shorter, lighter alternative, the Leatherman Rebar vs Wave Plus comparison covers a Rebar that’s 4 in folded and weighs 9.6 oz.

Which tool set fits your work?

Choose by the tools you’ll use regularly, rather than by tool count alone. The Surge offers 21-in-1 capability, while the Super Tool 300 lists 19 tools that cover common cutting, gripping and fastening tasks.

Is the Surge better for cutting and filing?

The Surge is a strong fit if you want to switch between a saw blade and a file. That can suit work that moves between cutting branches or wood and smoothing an edge.

Leatherman also positions it for electricians, mechanics, plumbers, construction workers, DIY projects and gardening. Those are maker-described uses, so map them to your own tasks instead of assuming a multitool replaces dedicated equipment.

Does the Super Tool 300 suit work gloves?

The Super Tool 300 may fit work that involves gloves because its handle is designed to be gripped with them. Its tool set includes a saw and file, plus wire cutters, a crimper and wire stripper.

The product’s tools lock when fully open except for the pliers head. Follow the tool’s safe-use instructions and choose the right tool for the material and job.

For a closer look at work-focused options, see our guide to multitools for mechanics and car work. It can help you compare features around repair tasks rather than broad tool counts.

How do the Surge and Super Tool 300 compare on size?

They share a 4.5 in folded length, but their weights are given in different units. Convert the weights before drawing a direct comparison.

The Surge is 12.8 oz. The Super Tool 300 is 272.15 g, which is about 9.6 oz.

The listed folded size tells you the length, but not how the handles or tools will feel in your hand. If grip matters, the Super Tool 300’s glove-friendly handle is a relevant feature to weigh alongside its lower listed weight.

Should you choose a third option instead?

Consider the Rebar if you want a shorter folded length and replaceable wire cutters. It has 17 tools, a 4 in folded length and a listed weight of 9.6 oz.

That gives you a more compact alternative to either 4.5 in model. It has fewer tools than the Surge or Super Tool 300, so check whether its set covers your usual jobs.

If you’re comparing other Leatherman pairings, our Signal vs Wave Plus guide looks at a different balance of features. Our multitool guide explains the main tool types and what each is for.

Which should you choose?

Pick the Surge if you want 21 tools and an interchangeable saw blade and file; pick the Super Tool 300 if a glove-friendly grip, lanyard ring and lower listed weight matter more. For another full-size Leatherman comparison, read Rebar vs Wave Plus.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Surge or Super Tool 300 better for mechanics?

Either can suit mechanical work, depending on the features you need. The Surge has 21 tools and an interchangeable saw blade and file, while the Super Tool 300 has 19 tools, a glove-friendly handle and a lanyard ring.

Match those details to your regular jobs.

Are the Leatherman Surge and Super Tool 300 the same size?

Both are listed at 4.5 in folded, but their listed weights differ: the Surge is 12.8 oz and the Super Tool 300 is 272.15 g. Those measurements don't describe every difference in hand feel, so consider the handle features and tools you expect to use.

How many tools do the Surge and Super Tool 300 have?

The Surge is a 21-in-1 multitool, and the Super Tool 300 has 19 tools. More tools can add options, but the useful choice depends on which tasks you do and whether a specific feature, such as the Surge's interchangeable saw and file, matters to you.

Does the Super Tool 300 have locking tools?

Yes. Leatherman says the Super Tool 300's tools and knife lock when fully opened, with the pliers head as the exception.

If locking tools matter for your work, check the instructions for safe opening and closing before use.

Which is lighter, the Surge or Super Tool 300?

The Surge weighs 12.8 oz, while the Super Tool 300 is listed at 272.15 g. Since those are different units, convert them before comparing directly; the stated figures put the Super Tool 300 at about 9.6 oz, though small differences may come from rounding.