S&W SWAT 3000 Lock Test

H

Hawker

Joined
Nov 14, 2005
Messages
34
I have had an S&W SWAT 3000 for about 1 year. In that time I have had a few complaints about it, mostly with the screws that held it together. On the whole, I considered it a pretty decent knife though. However, today I tested its lock strength for the first time. It has a standard liner lock, so I banged the spine of the blade against a piece of wood. The lock failed miserably. As I continued to reopen it and test it again, I found that the lock got harder and harder to break. Finally I got to the point that I could not break the lock at all. I looked at the mechanism and I think I know why. When I open my knife, the liner barely locks the blade. As I tested the lock, the liner kept moving and got to the point that it was solidly in the middle of the blade. Does this make any sense? Anyway, I just wanted to know if this was normal.
 
Sort of :) Spine whacking a liner lock is one way to break in the mechanism. but I would try it again after a while, and see if the fix holds.
 
I'll try that! On these forums, there is little good said about the S&W knives. I have found them to be pretty good though. I hear a lot that " There are better knives for the money." What other knives cost $35, have a 3.75in or bigger blade, and are strong and sharp? Just wondering.
Thanks
 
Two problems with S&W knives. First is, some people resent the company behind them, which has engaged in dishonorable dealings in the past.

Second and more to the point, there is no comparison between different models -- some may be OK and others total trash. Getting a good one does not guarantee anything about the next one you buy from them.

I got my brother-in-law one of their Darrell Ralph designs and he liked it so much I got him another. But I wouldn't buy just any S&W without a hint that it would hold up.

One more thing. Companies that don't advertise their own products widely or effectively, or maintain some kind of web presence, aren't likely to generate a loyal following among knife knuts. Many of the best-liked brands actually have individuals connected with them who attract a following as loyal as the knives themselves.
 
Hawker said:
I'll try that! On these forums, there is little good said about the S&W knives. I have found them to be pretty good though. I hear a lot that " There are better knives for the money." What other knives cost $35, have a 3.75in or bigger blade, and are strong and sharp? Just wondering.
Thanks
Click to expand...

Opinels, Bucks, and some of CRKT's
 
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