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.

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 three functional advantages over other blade geometries. First, the tip sits at the centerline of the blade, pointing directly forward — giving the user precise control over where the tip enters the work surface on a push cut. Second, the full-length curved edge creates a flat cutting surface that runs parallel to the work surface across the entire blade length — useful for box cutting, slicing tasks where maintaining edge contact across the full stroke matters, and controlled precision cuts. Third, the flat spine provides a natural surface for index finger placement when using a thumbs-up or saber grip for detailed work. The Wharncliffe is the precision push-cut and controlled slicing specialist — where a trailing point belly optimizes for draw cuts and a tanto tip optimizes for penetration, the Wharncliffe optimizes for edge-parallel, flat-contact cutting work.

The Launch 13 Wharncliffe is the geometry-specialist automatic in the Launch catalog — its flat spine and full-length curved edge produce a cutting profile not available in any other Launch variant. The Launch 23 trailing point runs a belly-forward geometry optimized for draw cuts and slicing where blade-to-material contact length is the performance driver. The Launch 21 drop point runs a versatile geometry suitable for a wide range of everyday tasks. The Launch 22 runs a spear point optimized for everyday versatility with a symmetrical centered tip. The Wharncliffe is the choice for buyers whose primary cutting tasks — box cutting, precision push cuts, controlled slicing — are best served by edge-parallel, flat-contact blade geometry with predictable tip placement.

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's edge retention keeps the flat edge cutting cleanly through more cutting cycles before the edge needs attention. It sharpens readily on standard ceramic rods and diamond bench stones 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, cosmetic stonewash patina development, handle finish wear, sharpening, and damage from misuse are not covered.

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