With no requirement to use and equip, the Trailblazer harpoon functions as a crystal harpoon with similar effects to an infernal harpoon (with a two-tick increase in performance compared with normal tools), in which any fish caught are cooked, granting Cooking experience regardless of level requirements. If equipped, it will also work for fish that don't require a harpoon to be caught, e.g. raw trout. This effect can be turned off and on through the use of the 'Toggle' option on the harpoon. This option will toggle the effect for all three trailblazer tools. In addition, the harpoon also inherits the crystal harpoon's special attack.
Contrary to the item's destroy text, players who lose the trailblazer harpoon must reclaim it from the Sage in Lumbridge rather than the Leagues Assistant, as she only appears in non-League worlds.