I have noticed that against some players unorthodox openings like "Clemenz Opening" 1. h3... or "Deprez Opening" 1. h4...  are quite effective, it throws players off balance. Actualy, about 50% of the games, that I've played this openings against equal oponents, were winning games. Besides, in my opinion, some times it's good to improvise from the very begining, makes you more flexible and immune to the same tricks from others. But if I were to paricipate in the tournament and money were at stake, I would stick with the classics. 

I do not think that those moves are quite sound.  I have no problem with playing unorthodox openings, but I would rather play the Orangutan, Grob, or St. George than play the Deprez or the Clemenz.

I think it is easier to get away with some things with white than it is with black against good players. Something like 1. h3 can be more like just playing black out of the book. Against some people who study openings a lot, being out of the book can be a good thing. ... Like you said, it can throw them off. But at the same time some of those openings can get you into trouble.