A great multipurpose tool. I use them on easy & moderate WI and on Alpine ice trips. The straight shaft makes them useable for boot belays in snow and for a cravasse probe, yet the solid construction feels good on WI. I'd choose a curved tool like the Axar or Quazar if you only do hard WI or mixed routes. Their only major flaw shows when you need to change picks or adze/hammer, it's impossible to do. Luckily I've never broken a pick because I don't know if i could change it in the field.

Similar Products Used:

BD Black Prophet, BD Cobra, CM Axar

my pulsar is really nice. i bought it used and i now use it and a BD X-15, and the pair actually feels pretty similar. the X-15 is more vibration-free, but the pulsar swings really nicely. you can't beat the feeling of the adze for self belay grip, but changing any accessory on the head (pick, hammer, adze) is a real pain. overall, i really like the pulsar.

The tool itself is good. Mine has taken alot of abuse and still works like the day it was bought. My only complaint and it's a big one, the pick just flat out sucks. I had to file the sides of the teeth to make it where I could get it back out. But the biggest problem is the metal seems real soft. I have to file it every time I go climbing versus four climbing trips per file for my black diamond tools. Even after I file, it never seems as sharp as my black diamond's with no filing.

Similar Products Used:

Black Diamond X-15, Prophets, Carbon Prophets