The Kershaw Launch 13 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 13 is a folding automatic knife — the 3.5-inch CPM-154 Wharncliffe pivots from the handle. 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. Knifeworks cannot provide legal advice. It is your responsibility to verify that automatic knives are legal in your state, county, and municipality before purchasing. Check your local laws at akti.org (American Knife and Tool Institute) or call us at 888-225-9775 — we will not ship to addresses in states where automatic knives are prohibited.

The Launch 13 now spans three confirmed variants — the 7650BLU, 7650BLK, and 7650RAW — all sharing the same CPM-154 Wharncliffe blade geometry, 3.5-inch blade length, KVT ball-bearing side-button automatic deployment, liner lock, and USA manufacture in Tualatin, Oregon. The differences are blade finish and handle color. The 7650BLU runs a black two-tone blade on a blue anodized aluminum handle — the most visually assertive and color-forward of the three, dark two-tone blade against vibrant blue in the same cool register. The 7650BLK runs a black blade on a black anodized aluminum handle — the all-black zero-signature unified configuration, the most carry-neutral. The 7650RAW runs a stonewash blade on a silver/raw aluminum handle — bare natural CPM-154 developing patina with carry, the most materially honest configuration. All three deliver identical Wharncliffe cutting performance. For bold color presence, the 7650BLU. For zero-signature all-black carry, the 7650BLK. For bare natural steel on raw aluminum, the 7650RAW.

A Wharncliffe blade keeps the spine completely flat and curves the entire edge upward from handle to tip, meeting the flat spine at a centered point. This produces a flat cutting surface that runs parallel to the work surface for the full blade length — ideal for box cutting, precision push cuts, and controlled slicing where flat edge-to-surface contact matters. The centered tip gives precise control over where the blade enters the work surface on a push cut. The flat spine provides a natural surface for index finger placement in a saber grip for detail work. The Wharncliffe is the precision push-cut and controlled slicing specialist — the only Wharncliffe automatic in the Launch lineup.

A two-tone blade applies two distinct surface treatments to the same blade — typically a dark finish on the flat faces and a contrasting finish at the bevel. On the 7650BLU, the black coating covers the flat faces of the Wharncliffe blade while the bevel carries a contrasting lighter finish, creating a blade that shows its grind geometry clearly: the boundary between the black face and the contrasting bevel traces the grind line visually. Against the blue anodized handle, the black two-tone blade creates a dark-blade-on-blue combination where the dark face and blue handle are both in the same cool tonal register — bold contrast within a unified cool palette. Confirm the specific two-tone finish detail at kershawknives.com.

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 3.5-inch Wharncliffe used for precision daily cutting tasks, CPM-154 keeps the flat edge cutting cleanly through more cycles before maintenance. It sharpens readily on standard ceramic rods and diamond bench stones.

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, cosmetic blade finish wear at the bevel, handle anodize wear, sharpening, and damage from misuse are not covered.

The Kershaw Launch 13 7650BLU 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 7650BLU carries the Kershaw Lifetime Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.