After carrying a non-wave Emerson for 13 years as my EDC, I decided to try one of their new knives - the Roadhouse. Overall, a very nice knife. While I’ve never been a real fan of their chisel grind edges, the overall reliability and durability of my first knife was the deciding factor in getting this one. Also not enthralled with the point-up-only carry on the Roadhouse - but that’s needed for the pocket opening function.
My question: Does one ever get reliable/consistent “pocket opening” using that damn wave? When I don’t want it to deploy the blade - it does. And, when I DO want it to deploy the blade - well, sometimes yes, sometimes no.
Granted - I’ve had it less than a week, but I’m wondering whether to keep trying, sell it, or grind off the darned wave tab:)
I am a wave convert. I only carry Emersons and waved Spydercos. It takes a bit of practice to get the hang of them. Try rotating the knife away from your leg and using a slight outward motion when you draw the knife.
Practice will improve the wave operation. I would recommend removing it from your pocket with your thumb down the back side and your pointer finger around the spine of the blade, when you do not want it to open.
Yes, I have it down reliably. Its just practice and knowing how different pockets operate. If you don’t want it to open to to wrap your finger around the knife as you open it.
For me there are three tricks.
First wear pants that have pockets that are conducive to the Wave feature. Some of my Carhartts have some loosey goosey front pockets that makes the draw very inconsistent. The pants with tighter pockets help with a good consistent draw.
The other trick, for me, is to pull back ever so slightly so the Wave has some increased pressure against the back of the pocket.
Lastly, practice. The first couple of weeks I had it I would only wear my Commander to work, as opposed to rotating per usual. As I would be moving from task to task I would practice the draw stroke, 5 times clean in a row. If I screwed up any, the count would start over. After a while it became second nature and now doesn’t require any thought at all.
I’m no expert though, so take it with a grain of salt.
I have an Endura 4 Wave. Have been carrying for the last 3 years or so.
I can get the blade to deploy even when using an elastic waistband (shorts/sweatpants).
You have just to pull opposite to blade position.
When IWB, usually carried at 12-2 o’clock I just pull the blade outward and against the waistband.
When pocket carried, pull back and against the seam.
The clip is reversible, the holes are already there. I’ve added a 2nd clip to my Waves for a very few dollars and often switch the side I carry on.
I am probably opening the knife “backwards” by going up from either side, but find it works reliably for me.
I will never buy another fighting folder without the wave feature. My Emersons have replaced my Benchmade Presido 5000 as I find them faster to deploy than the auto. It does take some practice before you’re consistently proficient and different pockets can require a slightly different draw stroke, but in general if you pull back as you pull up the wave will catch your pockets edge and open right up. Don’t give up on it, once you get the feel of it you’ll be GTG.
I carried a SOCFK for three or four years.
It wore out the pockets of my trousers and required different draws for even slightly different pockets.
It was very tight when I first got it, requiring time and effort to break it in. Occasionally, the liner would fail to lock, which caused me to disregard the technique for deployment other than as a novelty.
It was a quality knife, but I found that other knives met my needs better, regardless of the wave.
I really like Ernie, and I think his knives are of superior quality, but others work better for me.
It’s been 2+ weeks, with hundreds and hundreds (and hundreds) of presentations - starting to shred the pocket top on my jeans:) Still no love. The Roadhouse itself, however, is a beautiful knife. While somewhat bigger than whatever it is I currently carry (sorry - not into the whole Emerson family tree - sorta like Harleys:) - I’m pretty sure it will become my EDC once I get the wave/carry position sorted out. OTOH - at 6’ 5" and 290#, I can carry a slightly bigger blade with no problem.
After searching around some of the blade forums, I found out that Emerson will castrate the wave tab. Am now waiting for a quote as to the cost. Also will see if they will drill the scales and liners for a clip reposition to allow tip-down carry - the position I’ve carried my other Emerson for the last 10+ years. Come to think of it - tip-down carry would likely solve the wave problem!!!
While I know some love their wave action nearly and dearly, for me it is akin to the “auto-forward” option on my MP 9:) It works a high percentage of the time - but not always.
Thanks all for the input.
PS - In addition to shredding my jean pocket, I’ve found it best to not practice wearing Hawaiian shirts - which unfortunately are my daily wear. When it does work - it works with a vengeance - also tending to snag on the shirts:(
I’ve been carrying a CQC-14 as a cheaper alternate to my Striders for the last 6 years. I find that it deploys ragardless of pocket style if I’m pull strait back as opposed to up.
Funny story… I was at my bank waiting for a rep and I had pulled it out to actually tuck it away (maybe I’m to politically correct) but the Wave engaged, blade opened and sliced the shit out of my finger. My uncontrolled bleeding became much more conspicuous than had I had just left it clipped to my pocket. They had to get me gauze and some tape. Well not too funny of a story but lesson learned.
It just takes getting used to. Never worked with a Roadhouse but really drool over that one.
And on a side note: I hate the chisel grind so I just grinded the other side for a regular “V” grind. Practice with a grinder before taking ur $250 blade to it tho.
Yeh - the chisel grind is the other thing I dislike about Emerson knives. But - they last, and last, and last - so I can put up with that part.
BTW - Emerson charges $35 to castrate the wave, plus $14 shipping. They will not drill & tap the scales and liners for point-down carry. Looks like I’ll flip the clip on my old Emerson so they both carry the same way, and then just retrain for the point-up carry.
Emerson could use to do with a stronger pivot joint too. The blades have wiggle, a lot of them are canted when closed and the main screw needs tightening to often.
You need a special spanner wrench to adjust the Striders but they hardly ever need it and when they do need it its because they tighten up on their own as opposed to lossening up.
But I love the Wave feature, a lot of Emersons designs and what Ernie has done to the tacitcal knife industry.
Came home shit faced last month, panicked when my CQC-14 wasn’t on my pocket, found it underneath my brothers Dodge Ram on the stone driveway. Dusted it off, no problems at all. God I want a Roadhouse !!!
Hey - I learned something tonight. Found out the model of my original Emerson is actually on the blade - something called a CQC 7 (clip point with serrations).
It’s the only Emmy I’ve owned - so from a sample size of exactly one - it has been one of THE most rock-solid knives I’ve owned in 60 years. There is still no lateral bladed movement after 13 years of hard use, and it is still butter smooth. All of the rust is cosmetic, I guess:) I think I’ve needed to tighten the clip screws twice in the last 13 years:)
Yes - I’m really starting to enjoy the Roadhouse!!! Once I get that puppy castrated - it will no doubt be my new EDC.
BTW - I’ve heard that a little of that teflon plumbers tape on the main screw keeps it in place where you want it (haven’t tried it myself, but it makes sense).
I carry my (standard, right hand) Super CQC-7 in my left pocket. From a defensive/offensive aspect you are drawing forward and presenting the cutting edge. There is no lost motion to the rear in an urgent situation. The friend that showed this to me is right handed, but carries a pistol for work and felt that this was optimal for pistol/knife carry situations.
The draw took practice to master, like others have said. If you wear pants with various pocket designs, you have to be aware of this, as the shape has a large impact on the draw.
This is interesting. Will give a try, but my big belly might present problems.
Be aware that if your opposition is unarmed, the blade is safer on a retracted position. So, a backward draw has its place too.
Sometimes you’ll might want to have blade in hand prior to getting physical. Also, blade behing leg/body presents a less obvious threat, being outside the visual field of the other guy.
So remember: see hands =] If you see no hand, there are problems coming.
Not a believer. I have a 10-8 Emerson with an oversized M-wave and spent cumulatively hours practicing it. In only one training even when I was asked to deploy it, I failed miserably.
Not a blade expert by any means, but I treat all folders as utility knives.
I’ve been carrying a CQC-8 for years and switched over to the Horsemen (Mini CQC-8) about a year ago. I practice more with the Horsemen since I find it fits better in my hand than the larger one. Yes You can get a reliable opening with it, but you need practice. as I just found out after reading this, I’m out of practice.
I saw the Emerson Roadhouse in person yesterday, damn that knife looks cool. I want it now!