At the federal level, the Switchblade Knife Act of 1958 restricts interstate commerce of automatic knives with blades over 1.5 inches, with exemptions for authorized dealers and military/law enforcement. Most states have their own statutes that supersede or supplement federal law. Always confirm legality in your state before ordering.

The spear-point geometry on the Launch 8 gives it a strong, centered tip with good piercing ability and a refined profile that reads less tactical than a drop point. Both the spine and the edge curve symmetrically to the tip, distributing stress evenly and making the tip highly resistant to breakage under lateral force. For precision tasks — opening packages, fine detail work, or situations requiring a controlled tip — the spear point excels.

The tradeoff versus a drop point is a slightly reduced belly, which means less curved edge for slicing tasks. For most EDC cutting, this is a non-issue. For buyers who want a knife that stands apart aesthetically from the typical tactical drop point, the Launch 8 spear point is a compelling choice.

CPM-154 is the powder-metallurgy upgrade to standard 154CM — the same alloy (14% Cr, 4% Mo, 1.05% C) processed through Crucible Particle Metallurgy for a finer, more uniform carbide structure. This improves toughness and reduces micro-chipping at the edge under hard use. For an automatic deployment knife, that toughness matters because the blade impacts the lock at high speed every time it opens.

Typically hardened to 59–61 HRC, CPM-154 delivers excellent edge retention significantly better than AUS-8, 8Cr13MoV, or standard 154CM. It sharpens easily on ceramic or diamond stones and resists corrosion well enough for daily carry without extra maintenance.

The Kershaw Launch 8 measures 7.9 inches overall when open and 4.4 inches closed. The spear-point blade is 3.5 inches long and 0.14 inches thick, ground flat. The knife weighs 3.0 oz and carries on a reversible deep-carry clip in a tip-up configuration for either hand. At 3.0 oz, it is one of the lighter knives in the Kershaw Launch lineup.

Yes — where automatic knives are legal to carry. At 3.0 oz with a deep-carry clip and a 4.4-inch closed length, the Launch 8 is one of the more pocket-friendly knives in the Kershaw automatic lineup. The spear-point blade handles daily cutting tasks cleanly, and CPM-154 holds an edge for weeks of real use before needing a touch-up.

The gray aluminum handle with carbon fiber inlay reads professional rather than tactical, making it appropriate for work environments where an all-black or OD Green tactical knife might draw unnecessary attention. The ambidextrous side button provides consistent one-hand deployment regardless of which hand is used.

Kershaw warrants every Kershaw-brand product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the original owner. If a valid defect is found, Kershaw will repair or replace the item at their discretion. Because Knifeworks is an authorized Kershaw dealer, every Launch 8 we sell is covered by this warranty. For warranty service, contact Kershaw directly at kershawknives.com.

The Launch 8 handle is primarily gray anodized 6061-T6 aluminum, which provides the structural backbone of the knife. The carbon fiber inlay is a panel inset into the handle face, adding the woven carbon fiber visual texture and a slightly different tactile feel from the aluminum. It is not a full carbon fiber handle — the aluminum carries the structural load — but the inlay elevates the aesthetic significantly over a plain aluminum handle and adds a grip surface that differs from bare metal.

Both the Launch 6 and Launch 8 share the same CPM-154 steel, ambidextrous side-button automatic action, liner lock, reversible deep-carry clip, and USA manufacture. The key differences are blade shape, size, and handle material.

The Launch 6 (7800 series) has a 3.75-inch drop-point blade, an 8.75-inch overall length, and weighs 4.0 oz with a plain aluminum handle. The Launch 8 (7150) has a 3.5-inch spear-point blade, a 7.9-inch overall length, and weighs 3.0 oz with an aluminum and carbon fiber inlay handle. If you want a more compact knife with a distinctive blade shape and upscale handle, the Launch 8 is the choice. If you want slightly more blade and a more traditional profile, the Launch 6 wins.