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 Damascus 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 family spans four variants, all sharing the same 3.5-inch Wharncliffe geometry, KVT ball-bearing deployment, liner lock, and USA manufacture in Tualatin, Oregon. The 7650DAM runs Damascus steel on a black anodized aluminum handle — the only Damascus Wharncliffe in the Launch lineup, per-blade-unique pattern, warm etch tones as accent against the zero-signature black surround, active moisture maintenance required. The 7650RAW runs CPM-154 stonewash on a silver raw aluminum handle — natural bare CPM-154 on patina-developing uncoated aluminum, no special maintenance. The 7650BLK runs CPM-154 black on a black anodized aluminum handle — all-black zero-signature stainless, no special maintenance. The 7650BLU runs CPM-154 black two-tone on a blue anodized aluminum handle — the most color-assertive Wharncliffe, no special maintenance. For Damascus uniqueness in the Wharncliffe geometry, the 7650DAM. For stainless options, choose among the 7650RAW, 7650BLK, and 7650BLU.

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. The Wharncliffe is the precision push-cut and controlled slicing specialist — the only Wharncliffe automatic in the Launch lineup. On Damascus steel, the Wharncliffe's broad flat spine and full-length curved edge face both carry the acid-etched layered pattern across their full surfaces. The flat spine in particular — which runs completely uninterrupted from handle to tip — gives the Damascus pattern a continuous canvas that a curved or dropped spine interrupts. The 7650DAM is the only knife in the catalog that shows Damascus steel across a fully flat spine profile.

Damascus steel is produced by forge-welding two or more steel alloys in alternating layers, then manipulating the billet through twisting, folding, or drawing to create a pattern in the layered structure. The blade is ground to final geometry and acid-etched to reveal the contrasting layer pattern across the finished blade face. Because the manipulation is done by hand, no two Damascus blades carry an identical pattern — the Launch 13 7650DAM you receive is the only one with that exact pattern in existence. Confirm the alloy composition from Kershaw's published specs at kershawknives.com.

Damascus blades require active moisture management. Wipe the blade dry immediately after any moisture exposure — hand oils, humidity, and environmental moisture can cause surface rust. Apply a thin coat of food-safe mineral oil, camellia oil, or dedicated blade oil after cleaning and before storage. Avoid prolonged contact with acidic materials that can damage the etch pattern. The etch pattern can be restored with ferric chloride re-etching if it fades over time. Damascus patina development and etch fading from use are not covered under the Kershaw Lifetime Warranty.

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, Damascus patina development, etch pattern fading from use, handle anodize wear, sharpening, and damage from misuse are not covered.

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