I’m going against the crowd here and pointing out that the wave feature forces you to use a motion that takes your knife out away from the center of your body, limiting how and when you can deploy. Don’t believe me? Stand with your back against the wall or flat on the ground (a very realistic position where you may need to deploy your defensive folder) and try to remove your knife from your pocket and effectively use the wave opening.
I’ve seen lots of people in our edged weapons classes that failed to deploy or just plain dropped their knife because they were relying on the wave opening.
Just my two cents.
Very interesting point, one I had not thought of.
Wave or not, only training in one method of deployment isn’t a good idea.
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That has already been pointed out, but in a more subtle wording than yours.
I have tried the alternate carry position/presentation with the trainer a couple of times and found it works. However, I only found this to work on a icepick grip, which I am not too fond of.
My ideal for SD knife carry is a 4-5" fixed blade between centerline and iliac crest (1-2pm), pointed towards centerline, edge down.
I possess no such knife. The closest thing I own is a double edged one, with a shitty sheath. With my current abdominal bulge, I would probably gut myself if I ever had to deploy the blade. So, that one is left at home waiting for me to make a proper sheath and shed some weight.
Which is why I believe that a short strong fixed blade (BloodShark) is the best option for a SD blade. I’ve carried an Emerson 10-8 Wave everyday since the first run was issued but it is a knife/tool first. In a pinch it could be used for SD but it would be just above dick-beaters on the use of force options.
I’m the original psoter of this thread.
Rec’d the Roadhouse back from Emerson a few weeks back - sans wave feature. All I can say is - WOW! - love it. Again - I’m coming from over a decade of an Emerson without the wave, and I just couldn’t get all warm and fuzzy about having it. It wouldn’t always open when I wanted it to - and would open when I wasn’t wanting it to. Also - presentation was either restricted or dangerous, depending on the environment.
Given my druthers, I would have preferred that they take a little more off - and I may do so at some point in the future. For now - all I can say is that it is a tremendous improvement from my pov. And the Roadhouse itself is simply a great knife. Now, if I can only find a buyer for my Guntings:)
john
I saw the Road house knife on Emerson’s website last year or so and I just fell in love with it. I broke down two weeks ago and ordered it online. Stone wash finish and partial serrations. So far I love it. I might replace my Horseman as my EDC.
but in the mean while, I can’t help it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNigNUD8CKo I think of that song every time.