The Kershaw Launch 11 uses a side-button automatic mechanism — press the button on the spine of the handle and the blade deploys instantly, locking open via the liner lock through the KVT ball-bearing pivot. To close, disengage the liner lock with your thumb and fold the blade back into the handle. The Launch 11 is a folding automatic knife — the 2.75-inch CPM-154 drop point pivots from the handle. Despite the compact blade length, the deployment mechanism delivers the same fast, positive action as the full-size Launch variants. Automatic knives are subject to the same state and federal restrictions as OTF automatics. See the legality FAQ below before purchasing.

Side-button automatic knives are subject to strict regulation under federal and state law. Under federal law, the interstate sale and transport of automatic knives is restricted. State laws vary significantly: some states permit automatic knives freely, some restrict blade length, some require permits or military or law enforcement status, and some prohibit them entirely. A 2.75-inch blade clears the carry length threshold in most US jurisdictions — but automatic knife classification is independent of blade length restrictions. Verify automatic knife legality in your state, county, and municipality before purchasing. Check your local laws at akti.org or call us at 888-225-9775.

Teal sits on the color spectrum between blue and green — a distinct blue-green tone that reads differently from every other anodized color used throughout the Launch lineup. The 7650BLU's blue is a bold saturated primary; OD green colorways throughout the catalog carry a deliberate field-tactical signal; bronze reads as warm and premium; red reads as bold and assertive. Teal carries none of these established signals — it is rare in production automatic knife anodizing and reads as a deliberately distinctive, design-forward color choice rather than following any established carry-color convention. The 7550TEAL is the only teal handle anywhere in the Kershaw Launch lineup.

The Launch 11 family now spans five variants, all sharing the same 2.75-inch drop point geometry, KVT ball-bearing deployment, liner lock, and USA manufacture in Tualatin, Oregon. The 7550TEAL runs CPM-154 blackwash on teal anodized aluminum — the only blackwash finish and the only teal color in the family, the most distinctive and design-forward configuration. The 7550BRZ, 7550RD, and 7550RAW all run CPM-154 stonewash on bronze, red, and raw silver aluminum respectively. The 7550DAM runs Damascus on black anodized milled aluminum. For the most distinctive color and the only blackwash blade in the Launch 11 lineup, the 7550TEAL.

Stonewash leaves CPM-154 in natural textured form — the tumbling process creates a matte surface that shows the steel's own cool silver-grey color, used on the 7550BRZ, 7550RD, and 7550RAW. Blackwash applies a dark coating over that stonewash base — the underlying micro-texture creates depth and visual complexity in the dark surface rather than a flat uniform black. The 7550TEAL is the only Launch 11 variant running blackwash rather than stonewash, giving it a darker, more dimensional blade that contrasts with the teal handle rather than the cool-on-cool or warm-on-cool pairings found on the stonewash variants.

CPM-154 is the powder metallurgy version of the classic 154CM stainless steel formula, produced by Crucible Industries. The powder metallurgy process produces a more uniform carbide distribution than conventionally melted 154CM, resulting in better edge retention, improved toughness, and cleaner sharpening behavior while retaining 154CM's excellent corrosion resistance. In a compact 2.75-inch blade used for continuous everyday incidental tasks, edge retention is especially important — CPM-154 keeps the drop point cutting cleanly through more cycles before maintenance. It sharpens readily on standard ceramic rods and requires no special maintenance in carry conditions.

Kershaw offers a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. If the knife fails due to a manufacturing defect, Kershaw will repair or replace it at no charge. Warranty service is handled directly by Kershaw — not Knifeworks. Submit a claim through Kershaw's website at kershawknives.com with a description of the issue and proof of purchase. Normal wear, blackwash finish wear, handle anodize wear, sharpening, and damage from misuse are not covered.

The Kershaw Launch 11 7550TEAL is manufactured in the USA at Kershaw's production facility in Tualatin, Oregon. Domestic manufacture is a consistent feature of the full Launch series. The 7550TEAL carries the Kershaw Lifetime Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.