I had a Classic Tomcat all through my Army enlistment. Although i lost it *just* before i got out, it was far and away THE BEST folding knife i ever owned. Since SOG had already switched to the thumbstud version by that time i didn't even bother to replace it.
I just got a 3.0. It is a nice piece, weighty, solid and very much like the original. But: it ain't the same! It's more gimmicky, and surely more easily-opened than the classic, but that classic popped right open with a flip of the wrist with a little practice. I'm not so sure this 3.0 could stand up to the stuff my Classic took. And the pivot screw already popped out on me while opening and closing it repeatedly. That never, ever happened on myClassic. Not what i expected from a $100+ knife at all.
I'm not disappointed, necessarily. Things happen. Maybe the one i got was just a little loose. But it doesn't look as good as a Classic, or feel as good. I als don't care much for the cut-out on the butt of the knife(3.0). Part of the beuaty of the Tomcat was it's Mac-truck-of-knives look, which the cut-out detracts from IMHO. The Arc-lock functions nicely, but it has a slight bit of play and is somewhat uncomfortable in constant use. I should be getting a Classic i just bought soon, so i'll be able to compare the two directly. I can't wait!
So: go back to what got ya started! Bring back the Tomcat Classic, and get rid of that cut-out on the back end of the 3.0.
IMHO SOG could *NEVER* have too many Tomcat models. Period.
Update: SOG quickly and simply replaced my faulty 3.0, easy-peazy. The new one works great. I still love the Classic Tomcat(which i now have 2 of, 1 SM CA!) but the 3.0 is definitely handier and more comfortable. I humbly retract my criticism of it(except the cut-out on the butt. Bleecch.)