Bigdog - preference. I-too was taught to shoot, holding onto the forewood. Since all the double shotguns I used had full beavertail forends, you couldn't grip anywhere else.

When I picked up the English trade double made back around 1910 with the splinter, I've been practising with that style and prefer it now. All the single 1/2 bore foulers in percussion I've shot also have what would be considered a splinter, Holding out on the barrel has become second nature. Grabbing a double with a beavertail forend makes me mutter to myself - "bet this thing would be great with a splinter forend".