Wave vs Non Wave Models?

[Ocho]

My experience is that zip ties work more consistently and can be used as needed and removed when you don't want them. You're also not limited to a handful of models that offer a wave hook.

interesting. i tried the zip tie thing and couldn't get it to work consistently at all. even when it did work, it was far less likely to fully deploy the blade. conversely, i almost never have issues with deployment. i will say the signet ring helps with that though. the ring makes it easier to turn the knife so that it catches better than when grabbing the end of the handle.

What works best for me is to come in from the back side of the thumb hole:



This positions the head of the zip tie on the presentation side which (if you're right handed) puts the zip tie against your body and also can double as a thumb stud to aid in opening (I've used these in the winter when wearing gloves).

Then you want to cut the end of the zip tie off at an angle so there's a forward facing point so it snags your pocket better.





Looks like garbage but wave hooks aren't exactly beautiful IMO so it's all subjective and at least I can break this one off when I'm sick of it being there.

Then it just depends on your draw angle just like it does with a real wave hook. If you draw slightly outward towards the outside of your pocket that should catch every time. I tend to have more issues with drawing it and the blade opening when I don't want it to than failing to open at all, and that's about the time when I get annoyed and break it off.

Exactly! And that's what makes the ZipTie mod preferable to a permanent wave feature IMO, because if you get tired of it, you can just clip it off.. plus it doesn't "deform" the profile of the blade. I'm all for function over aesthetics, but if I can achieve the same results without "rhinoplasty" then all the better for me. Add a 5x5 Combat Solutions tactical ring to it and I'm ready to rock!

[Albertaboyscott]

I've wanted to try one but never seem to pick one up. I'm a very "controlled opening" type of knife guy so goes against my norm

[ladybug93]

Looks like garbage but wave hooks aren't exactly beautiful IMO so it's all subjective and at least I can break this one off when I'm sick of it being there.

it's an acquired taste i guess. much like many spyderco designs, for me, it's a function over form until the form becomes appealing because of the function.

another consideration, besides the fact the the built-in wave can't move when it's in place, is that it also doesn't get in the way when cutting through materials because it's in line with the blade.

Add a 5x5 Combat Solutions tactical ring to it and I'm ready to rock!

how do you deploy that yojimbo once you get it out of your pocket? i don't see the point of a ring without a wave, personally, and the pickpocket for the yojimbo is the best aftermarket wave out there.

[ladybug93]

btw, i carried these today because of this thread.

[zuludelta]

I've never had to use an Emerson Wave Opener under combative/tactical duress, thankfully. I really like them on RGEO & RGEI Spyderco models that were designed from the outset to incorporate them, such as the Karahawk & P'kal. The Karahawk, especially, benefits so much from the Wave opener (read about my experience using it as a work knife here).

As a variant feature on preexisting non-Wave designs such as the Delica & Endura, I find them a neat—but ultimately inessential—option. It's cool & fun to have the blade ready as soon as I have the knife out of my pocket, but at least for my uses, it isn't something that massively improves the functionality of a standard folder.

[Ocho]

btw, i carried these today because of this thread.

Zippy-di-do-da..
zippy today

[Blerv]

I like the look of some waved blades. The Delica/Endura had more of a spear point than a drop.

[Ocho]

Looks like garbage but wave hooks aren't exactly beautiful IMO so it's all subjective and at least I can break this one off when I'm sick of it being there.

it's an acquired taste i guess. much like many spyderco designs, for me, it's a function over form until the form becomes appealing because of the function.

another consideration, besides the fact the the built-in wave can't move when it's in place, is that it also doesn't get in the way when cutting through materials because it's in line with the blade.

Add a 5x5 Combat Solutions tactical ring to it and I'm ready to rock!

how do you deploy that yojimbo once you get it out of your pocket? i don't see the point of a ring without a wave, personally, and the pickpocket for the yojimbo is the best aftermarket wave out there.

[/attachment]

My bad, that was right after I installed the ring but had not yet put the ZipTie on.
DRKNYT deploys flawlessly and dependably now.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I really like my Wave Endura. Very sturdy blade, I think the pivot would break before the tip ever does. I'm hardly ever slicing through endless cardboard and sometimes it's nice if one hand is occupied to be able to just pull an open knife out of your pocket.

My Wave Endura is also the absolutely smoothest opening action on any of my 10 or so Seki lockbacks or any lockback I own for that matter. Does the factory spend any extra time putting the Wave models together or did I just happen to get very lucky?

Oh wow yes! Thank you for this info. This reminds me of an idea I want to share with you and others. How difficult or easy would it be for someone to modify the Waved Endura so that it retains that specific sturdy blade shape, but, changes the Wave section so that it is either removed, or, altered into a small opening hole? Can that be done without damaging the integrity of the heat treat?

Also, as you have discovered, while all my Spyderco folders have silky smooth opening and closing action, the Endura and Delica Wave models I have are extremely smooth in their opening and closing. I am extremely pleased with them.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I like the look of some waved blades. The Delica/Endura had more of a spear point than a drop.

Good to see you, Blerv, and yes definitely they have that strong spear point.

[Blerv]

I like the look of some waved blades. The Delica/Endura had more of a spear point than a drop.

Good to see you, Blerv, and yes definitely they have that strong spear point.

Great to see you bud!

[Bill1170]

I really like my Wave Endura. Very sturdy blade, I think the pivot would break before the tip ever does. I'm hardly ever slicing through endless cardboard and sometimes it's nice if one hand is occupied to be able to just pull an open knife out of your pocket.

My Wave Endura is also the absolutely smoothest opening action on any of my 10 or so Seki lockbacks or any lockback I own for that matter. Does the factory spend any extra time putting the Wave models together or did I just happen to get very lucky?

Oh wow yes! Thank you for this info. This reminds me of an idea I want to share with you and others. How difficult or easy would it be for someone to modify the Waved Endura so that it retains that specific sturdy blade shape, but, changes the Wave section so that it is either removed, or, altered into a small opening hole? Can that be done without damaging the integrity of the heat treat?

Also, as you have discovered, while all my Spyderco folders have silky smooth opening and closing action, the Endura and Delica Wave models I have are extremely smooth in their opening and closing. I am extremely pleased with them.

It would be easy to bob the hook off a factory-waved Endura using a Dremel with a cutoff wheel, then mounted stones to smooth off the rough bits. Just take your time and keep dunking it in water. Heat treat on that portion of the blade is still important, but less critical than at the cutting edge.

[Mr_Whiskerz]

The Wave, for me, is one of those things that sounds better than it actually ended up being for me. My Wave Delica just sits in the drawer.

[Ocho]

I realize that speed of deployment is not a priority for everyone. But my job requires me to wear gloves while on duty, and since we work in the "Sketchiest" areas of LA at all hours of the night, it behooves me to be able to deploy my blade one handedly without having to remove my gloves. Automatics are a felony in LA.. so I am forced to rely on other such means.. As such, each blade I carry has some method of auto deployment, be it an aftermarket device such as the 'Snaggle-Tooth' on my Demko AD15, an incorporated wave type design as on my DPX H.E.S.T.. which in my opinion outshines the emerson design in form and function (ie. You can open a beer with it!:-) or a simple yet ingenious ZipTie mod. Couple that with a lanyard to facilitate the draw, and you have a one handed deployment method that rivals the speed of drawing a fixed blade, (which in L.A. also cannot be legaly carried concealed in a pocket or under a shirt.) Even if automatics were legal in California, I still feel that a wave type system far out performs any Auto or OTF as far as speed of deployment.
In my humble opinion

[jegred2]

I love my Endela Emerson. the handle is sized great for my xxl hands, it’s more comfortable than the Endura, and it is light enough for sweat pants and gym shorts. The only downside is I find it only works well with non-deep carry clips.

[ladybug93]

(ie. You can open a beer with it!:-)

you can open bottles with the spyderco wave too. i don't drink, but i've used mine to open several delicious mexican cokes.