Hi Randy, I always liked the design of the CRKT M16. I never owned one. I had a few CRKT a while ago that were ok. I never loved the steel on them and they seemed to be not as sturdy as the cold steel knives. In the same price range or similar price range are spyderco and SOG. Those are great knives as well. But for Rapid deployment nothing other than the emerson wave or the cold steel AK47 thumbplate approach the speed of a fixed blade.

Hi Randy,
The Emerson wave is part of the chunk of metal that makes the blade. It is cut above the blade like a little catch. On the cold steel it is the thumbplate that catches the edge of your pants. I actually found it more consistent than the emerson. It is a triangular plate that sits above the blade and has a notch under it. The Emerson is a MUCH better knife, but the cold steel does heave a few nice things you will enjoy. It is very solid. The shape of it protects your hand very well if you are striking into something with the blade. There is a Piece of hardened material at the but end of the blade for non lethal strikes. The blade shape is very different than the emerson. The Cold Steel AK47 is short and chunky and very solid and sturdy. The emersons tend to be more long and not as deep and of course, as solid as a folder can be. I love the wave featuer on the emersons and the AK47. In my opinion there is no faster way to deploy a folder from a pocket. It is faster even than my Meyerco X ray auto. That having been said, it takes practice and as you deploy with either you have to be conscious that the wave ot plate catches your pants, the wrong angle and you are standing there with a worthless chunk of metal in your hand facing a bad guy.......I hope that helps. ( I hope i didnt write too much)

Hi Randy,
Sorry to hear your emerson is gone. I cant find mine and I am heartbroken. In the meanwhile there are a few things you can look at.
For about $80 (on ebay)cold steel makes the A 47 with the wave feature. It is a well made knife. Almost as sturdy as an emerson, but with lesser steel. The emerson uses 154 CM which is my favorite blade steel. I think the ak47 uses Aus8a. BUt it has the cold steel version of the wave. The blade is chunky and you should have a good look at it before you decide. Also, if you can go up a bit, there is a "black coated" version with G10 scales. Lastly, for about $110to130 you can find an emerson on ebay. Just make sure they tell you it is "IN STOCK" before you pay and wait till Afghanastan has Mcdonalds if you know what i mean...... Alec

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Hey Randy
Thanks for joining our community. I think you'll like it here as you spend time getting to know us. We've got a good group of knife folks....of all knife interests. Look around and jump right in. And if you have any questions, please let me know.
Welcome!
Scott