Saving the hole doesn't bother me too much. I actually think you could get better thumb traction on the two radiused prongs. Why do you think the curved edges will tear up the pocket more? There are no sharp surfaces for material to catch/cut/drag on and if you put the radius 'pillar' of steel in the junction between your pants and your pocket it should whip the blade out marvelously.
I think that it might bring it out marvelously, but if you look at the way spyderco waves and emerson waves, they either are straight on, or curved
outward, not inward. Observe emerson:
http://www.emersonknives.com/ekPinktactical.php
spyderco:
http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=226
As they are experts, in the literal definition of having it as their jobs, I'd believe them. Something I'm sure Sal could answer better than me. I'll try though: you're trying to catch the pocket- and if you catch a ball, do you catch with a fist or open hand? You need as much area to catch as possible. I'm actually working on carrying a delica wave weakside back pocket- and it doesn't engage every time (practice, different angle maybe). Making the curve inwards lowers the chance of catching. That's why Spyderco went with a deeper wave hook but straight, and Emerson has a shallower but more obtuse angle- two ways to deal with the problem (note: never so much as played with an emerson. Just using my assumptions based off waves I have used).
It would take a toll on the pockets as if it did engage each time, it would not necessarily engage in the same place, as the curvature doesn't guarantee that, so you'd catch a smaller surface- so more force over smaller surface= more wear. Not sure if you've had waves, but if you use them frequently- you quickly find out what your favorite pants are by how bad the pockets are.
Finally, your hole would be just that: a hole. While I agree with your take on Charlie's waving here:
I think charlie mike took too much of almost every blade except the zt,
I disagree here:
while grinding on the karambit he said he had taken off about an 1/8th of an inch across the entire top curve of the blade. I'm looking for the most functional and non-intrusive method of waving possible.
If you want function, you HAVE to take that top off. It's what I was talking about above- reference the endura wave again- the hook is straight, but clear of ANY other metal. The metal that is nearby just serves to interfere and lower chances. Really, it might not be as aesthetically pleasing for you, but if function is what you want, Charlie Mike is right: you gotta take off part of the top. That's how he created the ZT, which I actually liked. I love CM, and though I may not like the aesthetics of his other waves, he was designing the spyderco way- in the dark, in pursuit of function over appearance.
Finally, again, I urge you to look at the P'kal, below. In the spyderco version, it's threaded and removable- awesome. But if you want function and less intrusive, the additive might be better than the subtractive- welding a part to the top of the blade.
http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=267
