The Kershaw Launch 19 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 19 is a folding automatic knife — the 3.3-inch Damascus clip point 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 clip point blade runs the spine straight from the handle, then curves it concavely downward — as if a section of the spine were clipped or scooped out — creating a fine, lowered, acute tip. The clip point is one of the most historically significant blade geometries in American folding knife design, associated with classic Bowie and jackknife traditions. Compared to a drop point, which rounds the spine down more gradually to a wider, more robust lowered tip, the clip point's concave clip produces a more acute, finer tip that excels at precision entry, detail work, and controlled push cuts. The clip point also maintains a long, useful cutting belly along the edge from handle to tip. The trade-off is tip strength — the clip point's more acute tip is more susceptible to chipping under hard lateral force than a drop point's broader tip. For refined everyday carry and precision cutting tasks, the clip point is the right geometry.

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 19 7851CFDAM you receive is the only one with that exact pattern in existence. Confirm the alloy composition from Kershaw's published specs at kershawknives.com.

A carbon fiber onlay is a surface layer of woven carbon fiber bonded to the aluminum handle frame — the CF weave pattern is present on the handle surface, contributing visual texture and premium character, while the structural frame remains aluminum. This differs from a full carbon fiber handle, where CF is the primary structural material of the handle itself. The onlay approach delivers the visual depth and tactile texture of carbon fiber's crosshatch weave at a reduced weight and cost compared to full CF structural panels. The black aluminum frame underneath maintains the Launch platform's structural rigidity and handle geometry, while the carbon fiber onlay surface distinguishes the 7851CFDAM visually from every other Launch Damascus variant.

The Launch Damascus automatic family now spans five confirmed USA-made variants, all with KVT ball-bearing side-button deployment. The Launch 19 7851CFDAM: 3.3-inch Damascus clip point on black aluminum with carbon fiber onlay — the most visually premium handle and the only clip point geometry in the Damascus family. The Launch 8 7150DAM: 3.5-inch Damascus drop point on black aluminum — broadest everyday geometry, zero-signature all-black. The Launch 9 7250DAM: 2-inch Damascus drop point on black aluminum — only compact Damascus automatic. The Launch 15 7950DAM: 3.5-inch Damascus spear point on black aluminum and tan Micarta — warmest and most tonally cohesive handle. The Launch 16 Damascus tanto: 3.45-inch Damascus tanto on black aluminum — penetration-focused geometry. For the most visually premium and geometrically refined Damascus automatic, the Launch 19.

Damascus blades require more active moisture management than stainless steel blades. Wipe the blade dry immediately after any moisture exposure — hand oils, humidity, and environmental moisture can cause surface rust on bare Damascus. 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 fade over time with regular use and can be restored with a brief ferric chloride re-etch if desired. 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, sharpening, and damage from misuse are not covered.

The Kershaw Launch 19 7851CFDAM 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 7851CFDAM carries the Kershaw Lifetime Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.