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Leatherman Pulse (Guest Review)
by Bill Schultz
I've also had a chance to use the Leatherman Pulse, which is similar to the Leatherman PST II. The Pulse was not developed specifically for fishing, but in most cases is an outstanding tool for fishing applications. I noted in my review of the Fisherman Tool that I prefer a more compact tool. Due to the length of the needle nose pliers feature and wider profile when closed, the Fisherman Tool's sheath is two inches longer and one half inch wider than the sheath for the Pulse. For everyday use I prefer the compact size of the Pulse.
The overall length of the Fisherman Tool when open is an inch longer than the Pulse and the needle nose is only a half-inch longer. I find that, except for a few situations with deeply imbedded hooks, the needle nose pliers of the Pulse works just as well as the Fisherman Tool' pliers. Both can be opened with one hand. The Fisherman Tool with a flick of the wrist and the Pulse by using the body for a little leverage.
The Leatherman Pulse has long list of features:
Additionally the Pulse has a great locking feature, rounded handles for better comfort than the PSTII, stainless-steel construction, weighs only 6 ounces, closes to four inches and has a 25-year warranty.
I like the Pulse, and find it covers just about every fishing related need I have. The only negative from a fishing standpoint is the wire-cutting feature. Unlike the Fisherman Tool that has nickel-plated tungsten/cobalt steel indexable cutter inserts, the Pulse's wire cutting blade is part of the stainless-steel construction and is more appropriate for softer wire. The Pulse does have a cutting notch that can be used for fish hooks. For single hooks and larger treble hooks, like you'd find on a Smithwick Suspending Rogue, the Pulse's hard wire cutting notch works fine. Because the notch is located at the back of the cutting blade it's less convenient for the smaller treble hooks on the Teeny Wee-Crawfish that I use so often. The top of a treble hook where it attaches to a spit ring is round. For this application the Pulse's hard wire cutting notch doesn't work, especially for larger trebles, whereas the Fisherman Tool's blade does.
In summary these are both excellent products and comparing certain features is probably not fair as one was developed specifically for fishing and the other for a variety of uses. However, if you're only going to buy one, and you're a fisherman or woman, this review may be helpful. I've used them equally in fishing situations and find both to be excellent tools. As noted earlier, I do prefer the compact size of the pulse and find that it meets just about every fishing related need I have. My only negative is that the wire-cutting feature doesn't handle all my hook cutting needs.
For information the Pulse and all the Leatherman products go to www.leatherman.com.
Last year I did a product review of the Gerber Fisherman Tool and prior to that Brian King did a review of the Gerber Pro Scout 600. Both of these are excellent products and Brian and I gave them very good reviews. You may wish to go back and check them out.
Bill Schultz lives in WI and is a member of the St. Croix Pro Staff. He can be reached at wschultz@mcw.edu.
Copyright © 2002 Bill Schultz
Published on River Smallies.com with permission