Wave or no Wave?

F

Folder_Dude

Joined
Jul 25, 2007
Messages
59
First off, I know there must be alot of threads on this topic, but I can't find any and search is no longer my friend, it got snobby and stopped associating with common folk like myself. :grumpy:

So, I'm about to order a Delica 4 PE, and wanted to get some feedback from y'all about whether or not to opt for the wave feature. It looks really snazzy, but also might become an annoyance to have the knife open every time I pull it out of my pocket.

So, any people prefer the wave over the standard D4 or vice versa???

Thanks in Advance,

RKP
 
Folder_Dude said:
First off, I know there must be alot of threads on this topic, but I can't find any and search is no longer my friend, it got snobby and stopped associating with common folk like myself. :grumpy:

So, I'm about to order a Delica 4 PE, and wanted to get some feedback from y'all about whether or not to opt for the wave feature. It looks really snazzy, but also might become an annoyance to have the knife open every time I pull it out of my pocket.

So, any people prefer the wave over the standard D4 or vice versa???

Thanks in Advance,

RKP
Click to expand...

I'm sure you can control this feature, i.e. whether or not it opens when you pull it from you pocket, by how you actually pull it from your pocket.

That said, personally, I have no use for or desire for this feature on any knife. I love the Delica 4 (perhaps my favorite Spyderco), but the only use for this feature is in my opinion an overrated need to get the knife open a fraction of a second quicker, a dubious need...I can open them quickly enough once they've cleared the pocket. In 45+ plus years of carrying and using, I have never needed to open a knife quicker than that...YMMV.

It might have a much more practical use as a bottle opener, however...:D As a matter of fact, possibly the first use of this feature to open a knife wave-fashion, before Emerson's Wave, was practiced by owners of Kershaw's Talon, where the hook was specifically designed as a thumbstud alternative and a bottle opener:

http://www.donrearic.com/southerncomfort.html

Ray :)
 
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Folder_Dude said:
It looks really snazzy, but also might become an annoyance to have the knife open every time I pull it out of my pocket.

So, any people prefer the wave over the standard D4 or vice versa???

RKP
Click to expand...

I don't understand why that would be an annoyance. When would you pull the knife out and not open it? Ironically, having just written that, I realized that the only knife I ever pull out with the intentions of using it with the blade closed is the very knife in question; as reholi mentioned, it works great as a bottle opener. Its quite easy to take it out without it opening, just a little twist will clear the wave from catching on the pocket.

I'm a huge fan of the D4W, it can do things the regular D4 can't do, but not vice versa.

reholli said:
I'm sure you can control this feature, i.e. whether or not it opens when you pull it from you pocket, by how you actually pull it from your pocket.

That said, personally, I have no use for or desire for this feature on any knife. I love the Delica 4 (perhaps my favorite Spyderco), but the only use for this feature is in my opinion an overrated need to get the knife open a fraction of a second quicker, a dubious need...I can open them quickly enough once they've cleared the pocket. In 45+ plus years of carrying and using, I have never needed to open a knife quicker than that...YMMV.

It might have a much more practical use as a bottle opener, however...:D

Ray :)
Click to expand...

I find that not only is it a little bit quicker, it requires only gross motor skills which I feel is an additional benefit. Either way, the spyder-hole is still available for traditional opening. Anyhow, I find it ironic that you find 'open(ing) a fraction of a second quicker' a 'dubious need,' yet you have assisted openers in you avatar and signature :D. I do agree that, at the very least, it works good enough as a bottle opener.

edit: just realized its a fixed in you avatar, thought it was a folder.
 
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s.c. said:
I don't understand why that would be an annoyance. When would you pull the knife out and not open it? Ironically, having just written that, I realized that the only knife I ever pull out with the intentions of using it with the blade closed is the very knife in question; as reholi mentioned, it works great as a bottle opener. Its quite easy to take it out without it opening, just a little twist will clear the wave from catching on the pocket.

I'm a huge fan of the D4W, it can do things the regular D4 can't do, but not vice versa.



I find that not only is it a little bit quicker, it requires only gross motor skills which I feel is an additional benefit. Either way, the spyder-hole is still available for traditional opening. Anyhow, I find it ironic that you find 'open(ing) a fraction of a second quicker' a 'dubious need,' yet you have assisted openers in you avatar and signature :D. I do agree that, at the very least, it works good enough as a bottle opener.

edit: just realized its a fixed in you avatar, thought it was a folder.
Click to expand...

My avatar was a folder...I just changed it recently to a fixed. ;)

I like Kershaw's designs in and of themselves, apart from the A/O feature of some of their models. Obviously, with the Kershaw's that have this feature, it comes into play automatically when opening the knife, but this is not why I buy them. As a matter of fact, I've converted some to manual openers where practical.

Also, please understand that I have nothing against the Wave...this is really just a personal preference and a more a desire to preserve the pockets of my pants a little longer than anything else. I also don't like the way its inclusion disturbs the line of the spine...

I just come off sounding cantankerous at times because I am...:D

Ray :)
 
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If you think the feature is worth the extra $15 or so, then go ahead and get it. I was debating this myself. Just last night I ordered the Delica 4 Wave. I decided it would be a cool feature to show friends, plus I could just open it with the hole if I want.

With the wave, the blade doesn't deploy unless you will it so. I used to have a Remington with a similar feature (the knife very closely resembled a Camillus Maxx). With a quillion, I was able to open the knife with my pocket. It would only open this way when I tried to do it, though.

So it's really up to you whether you feel it's worth $15 or not.
 
some folks dont care for the wave, of course some dont care for pocket clips or locks either lol, just depends on what ya need it for, it most certainly works, and works well.

if ya think ya might ever need to get the knife out & open fast, when milliseconds could count, the wave is nice to have.

i have never regretted having the wave on any knife i own, i do wish some non-waved ones were waved though.
 
It is a fun extra. Not necessary but fun, and handy to have in certain instances. Yes can obviously open a spydie one handed without it, but nevertheless it is a bit easier.

I find it less reliable to open in looser pants dress cut style pants pockets than vs. standard blue jeans pockets.
 
I prefer the standard Delica mainly because I do not like tip up. I do like the shape of the blade on the wave model. I think that either way your good to go. The D4 is fantastic all the way around.
 
jlfletcher83 said:
I prefer the standard Delica mainly because I do not like tip up. I do like the shape of the blade on the wave model. I think that either way your good to go. The D4 is fantastic all the way around.
Click to expand...

The waved Delica has the four way clip mounting option on it just like all Delica 4's.

Bruceter
 
Go with the wave. You dont HAVE to open it with the wave every time...it just depends on how you pull it out. You never know, the bottle opener like wave feature might also come in handy for tasks other then opening your knife the second it leaves your pocket.
 
you knwo there is also the "ghetto wave" mod you can do to the delica...

gte a ziptie and put it through the spydie-hole so the blocky lock part is on top of teh blade and tighten it down.... it creates a little stud that catches nicely on a jeans pocket corner just like the wave... and you can always take it off again later!

shade
 
The wave must have something going for it when certain jurisdictions are already prohibiting it.

For me, the wave feature exists only for defensive application. If we carry a knife for self-defense, and it can not be a fixed blade, then the wave is the only way to go. As most self defense scenarios are reactive, e.g., responding to an ambush or a sudden escalation in violence, a folder without a wave is subject to the back alley version of "the fog of war." Anything requiring deliberation, or fine finger skill, is dramatically disabled.

The wave feature, with proper training and carried in the proper place, gives the individual that "grab and stab" capability of a fixed blade.

In mundane usage, it only serves to impress your friends and frighten your co-workers.
 
or you can slightly turn the knife towards your body (rather than the outside of the pocket) so the wave doesn't engage... its not too hard to get used to either
 
Ok, I think I'm gonna go for the Wave, casue I can see myself getting the regular and regretting not Waving.

But I keep wondering if I should get a Waved Delica or Endura....
 
r.e. "waved" knives:
s.c. said:
What cities/states have prohibited them?
Click to expand...

Sorry, I shoulda known that someone would bust me on that. I base my remark on the rumors and innuendo found on this forum and elsewhere. I can not verify that any jurisdiction has specific wording prohibiting the wave, but I know that several members here have been hassled by LEOs over the feature. And broad interpretation of the "assisted opening" wording in some areas can lead to an overzealous cop confiscating the knife.

I can guarantee that many legislators, upon being shown the wave feature, would run, not walk, to their office to begin drafting a new law.

However, apologies for my previous blanket remark.
 
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