Smith and Wesson

[Lucky Bob]

Friend of mine, who's a cop, says that his Smith and Wesson automatic has rust on the blade. I know S&W farms out their knives to China, and that y'all have no respect for them, but I wanted to do him a favor, and see what kinda steel it had, so I can at least figure out if he's to blame or not for it rusting.

Well, here's my request: I can't find a good source for buying/spec-ing S&W autos, so I'd like you all to list URLs for every (different) S&W auto you can find.

Mods, feel free to move or delete this, and everyone else, feel free to ignore me.

 

[Confederate]

Oh, man, there's no way of sayin' unless you know the model. I know many claim to be made out of 440C but, even so, what is your friend going to do? Buy more or have it sent back to the factory?

If you can post a photo, that might help. You might also Google "Smith & Wesson" and "knife" and hit the Images option.

 

[Cougar Allen]

Some of Taylor's recent knives are not that bad.

In general the cheapest stainless knives are made of low-carbon easy to work steel (or age-hardened cheese) that never rusts, so the rust is an indication his is probably made of somewhat better steel (or a more steel-like grade of cheese) than most Taylor knives.

 

[Lucky Bob]

Yeah, I know, that's why I'm trying to comprise a list of all the models, with pictures... I have a description of the knife, so I think I could pick it out of a lineup.

The plan was send it back, if it was actually of a decent steel. If not... I'm planning on him getting a MT D/A OTF

 

[Padawan]

I'm slightly confused by the purpose of the question. You stated that you wanted to determine whether or not your friend was "to blame" for the rust on blade. If it is found to be constructed of what many here consider "better" steel, this would also likely mean that it is less resistant to rust than other cheaper steels (as Cougar Allen mentioned). If the blade rusted, it was almost certainly due to lack of knife care, rather than some manufacturing flaw that the company would be responsible for under a warranty claim. Of course, if you wanted to send it in for some "refurbishing" or blade replacement (depending on how severe the rust is), that's a different story, but it is probably something that can be handled yourself rather easily. In the future, wiping down the blade occasionally with a protectant should prevent such issues.

 

[Lucky Bob]

I'm slightly confused by the purpose of the question. You stated that you wanted to determine whether or not your friend was "to blame" for the rust on blade. If it is found to be constructed of what many here consider "better" steel, this would also likely mean that it is less resistant to rust than other cheaper steels (as Cougar Allen mentioned). If the blade rusted, it was almost certainly due to lack of knife care, rather than some manufacturing flaw that the company would be responsible for under a warranty claim. Of course, if you wanted to send it in for some "refurbishing" or blade replacement (depending on how severe the rust is), that's a different story, but it is probably something that can be handled yourself rather easily. In the future, wiping down the blade occasionally with a protectant should prevent such issues.

Fine, so maybe my logic sucks... I still want to know what kind of steel it has

 

[Padawan]

I didn't intend my post to seem derogatory or insulting. Hopefully you're able to find the information you're looking for. :thumbup:

 

[Rat Finkenstein]

it is probably 440-ish steel. I have a friend who got rust all over his CRKT folder in AUS-8 from it being in his pocket and sweating on it. Is it bead blasted? that can contribute to rusting.

 

[eojk]

it is probably 440-ish steel. I have a friend who got rust all over his CRKT folder in AUS-8 from it being in his pocket and sweating on it. Is it bead blasted? that can contribute to rusting.

This was an issue that I had with a CRKT, so it may be likely. I kept it in my back pocket and the knife never stayed wet or was left out exposed. It just developed pitted corrosion due to the bead blast. Since then I've also learned to use a protectant like Tuf-Cloth. I've also learned to really dislike bead-blast finishes.:grumpy:

 

[Planterz]

S&W knives are usually in 440C...at least that's what they say they are. 440C is pretty rust resistant, but not as resistant as 440A or lower. Beadblasting can make anything rust.

 

[DGG]

Some are 440-C which is very rust resistant, many are not and are of far lesser quality 440-A or 440-B.

Here are some of the models. If the knife is made from 440-C it will say that, else it says something like "440 stainless steel blade" which could mean anything.

http://www.knivesplus.com/SMITH-WESSON-KNIVES.HTML

Here is a S&W 440-C, decent looking knife.

http://www.knivesplus.com/sw-urban-camo-sw-3400c.html

Here is on that is "440 stainless". There is a world of difference between the 440-A, 440-B and 440-C blades with the "C" being far and away the best.

http://www.knivesplus.com/smith-wesson-knife-sw-cksur1.html

I use Breakfree CLP to lube and protect my knives and have never had any rust problems. Many firearms owner use it. You can get it at just about any gun store.

http://www.botac.com/breakfreeclp16.html


Here is a corrosion test review by a firearms guy that may be of interest.

http://www.thegunzone.com/rust.html