The Kershaw Launch 17 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 17 is a folding automatic knife — the 3.5-inch CPM S35VN clip point pivots from the handle with the fine acute tip forward at full extension. 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.

CPM S35VN is a powder metallurgy stainless steel developed by Crucible Industries in collaboration with knife designer Chris Reeve, specifically engineered for knife blades. Its carbide structure is optimized for edge retention and toughness simultaneously at excellent corrosion resistance. CPM S35VN was for years the premium production knife steel benchmark — used extensively in custom and high-end production knives for its balanced performance, clean sharpening behavior on standard equipment, and reliability. CPM MagnaCut, introduced later and engineered by Larrin Thomas, was specifically designed to outperform CPM S35VN in edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance simultaneously — making it the newer benchmark against which S35VN is now measured. In practice, CPM S35VN remains an excellent and highly capable stainless tool steel well above CPM-154 and D2 in most performance categories. For buyers who prefer CPM S35VN's proven track record and established performance profile, the 7951OLBLK is the right choice. For buyers who want the newest benchmark in the clip point geometry, the CPM MagnaCut 7951BLK.

The 7951OLBLK and 7951BLK are both Launch 17 clip point automatics sharing the same clip point blade geometry, 3.5-inch blade length, black Cerakote blade finish, KVT ball-bearing deployment, liner lock, and USA manufacture in Tualatin, Oregon. Two differences: blade steel and handle color. The 7951OLBLK runs CPM S35VN on an OD green anodized aluminum handle with G-10 inlays — the field-carry, tactically signaling variant. The 7951BLK runs CPM MagnaCut on a black anodized aluminum handle with G-10 inlays — the carry-neutral, highest-performance-steel variant. CPM MagnaCut outperforms CPM S35VN in edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance by measurable margins. For the field-carry OD green signal with CPM S35VN's proven benchmark performance, the 7951OLBLK. For the carry-neutral all-black with the highest-performance steel in the clip point lineup, the 7951BLK.

A clip point blade runs the spine straight from the handle, then curves it concavely downward to a fine, acute, lowered tip — historically associated with Bowie and jackknife traditions. The concave clip produces a more acute tip than a drop point's rounded spine, excelling at precision entry, detail push cuts, and controlled tip work, while the long cutting belly along the edge handles everyday slicing tasks. On a 3.5-inch automatic with CPM S35VN, the clip point's acute tip benefits from S35VN's toughness to resist chipping under lateral stress better than lower-toughness steels.

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

The Kershaw Launch 17 7951OLBLK 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 7951OLBLK carries the Kershaw Lifetime Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.