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 two-tone blade applies two distinct surface treatments to the same blade, typically distinguishing the flat blade faces from the bevel. On the 7650BLU, the two-tone treatment is a black coating across the flat faces with a contrasting lighter, uncoated bevel — a dark coated two-tone. On the 7650, the two-tone satin treatment instead uses a reflective, polished satin finish across the contrasting sections — a bright two-tone created through differing levels of reflectivity and polish rather than a dark coating against a lighter section. The result is a blade that reads brighter and more metallic overall than the 7650BLU's darker coated two-tone, while still showing the same grind-line contrast that distinguishes the Wharncliffe's flat spine from its curved edge. Confirm the exact two-tone satin pattern at kershawknives.com.

The Launch 13 family spans five variants, all sharing the same 3.5-inch Wharncliffe geometry, KVT ball-bearing deployment, liner lock, and USA manufacture in Tualatin, Oregon. The 7650 runs a two-tone satin finish on black anodized aluminum — the brightest, most reflective Wharncliffe finish against a fully dark handle. The 7650RAW runs stonewash on silver raw aluminum — natural bare steel, patina-developing. The 7650BLK runs solid black on black aluminum — fully unified zero-signature. The 7650BLU runs black two-tone (coated) on blue aluminum — the boldest color statement. The 7650DAM runs Damascus on black aluminum — per-blade-unique pattern, active moisture maintenance. For the brightest, most reflective two-tone finish, the 7650.

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 — producing a flat cutting surface parallel to the work surface for the full blade length, precise tip placement for push-cut entry, and a natural flat spine for index finger placement in a saber grip. The Wharncliffe is the precision push-cut and controlled slicing specialist — the only Wharncliffe automatic in the Launch lineup. On the 7650's two-tone satin finish, the flat spine and curved edge are both highlighted in bright, reflective contrast, making the Wharncliffe's distinctive geometry especially visible.

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 satin finish wear, handle anodize wear, sharpening, and damage from misuse are not covered.

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