Yes. The Launch Iridium KS7038G10 is a true side-button automatic — press the button on the handle and the blade deploys instantly under spring tension with no manual blade contact required. This is distinct from SpeedSafe assisted-opening knives in Kershaw's lineup, which require initial thumb stud pressure to initiate the opening stroke. The Launch series is Kershaw's dedicated production automatic lineup, and the Launch Iridium brings CPM MagnaCut steel to that platform for the first time. Automatic knives are subject to stricter legal restrictions than assisted-opening folders — see the carry legality FAQ below before purchasing.

Automatic knives are regulated differently from manual and assisted-opening folders. Under federal law, the interstate sale and transport of automatic knives is restricted — Knifeworks can only ship automatic knives to buyers in states where automatic knives are legal to own and carry. State laws on automatics vary significantly: some states permit them freely, some restrict blade length, some require a license or permit, 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 with questions — we will not ship to addresses in states where automatics are prohibited.

CPM MagnaCut was designed by metallurgist Larrin Thomas and produced by Crucible Industries to outperform both CPM-S35VN and M390 in edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance simultaneously. In an automatic knife, edge retention is particularly valuable: the blade deploys under spring tension every time the button is pressed, and a knife that holds its edge longer stays deployment-ready through more carry cycles before needing maintenance. CPM MagnaCut's corrosion resistance is also meaningful for a carry knife that may see moisture — it approaches the rust resistance of H1 steel while maintaining the hardness and sharpenability of a premium stainless alloy. Most production automatics at this price tier run 154CM or CPM-S35VN — CPM MagnaCut is a meaningful step up in all three performance categories.

G-10 is a fiberglass laminate that provides one of the best grip surfaces available on production knife handles. Unlike anodized aluminum, which can become slippery when wet, G-10's textured surface grips positively in wet, dry, and gloved-hand conditions — a meaningful advantage for a knife deployed with a single button press where a secure grip matters from the moment the blade opens. G-10 is also dimensionally stable across temperature and humidity changes, does not conduct heat or cold the way aluminum does, and is extremely hard-wearing under sustained carry and use. The trade-off compared to aluminum is that G-10 does not have the same slim profile and premium feel — it is a working handle material optimized for grip performance and durability.

A spear point features a symmetrical profile with the tip centered on the blade's midline — equal upper and lower bevels meeting at a well-supported piercing point. The centered geometry produces a long, usable belly that excels at the full range of cutting tasks an automatic knife is deployed for: controlled puncture, slicing, general utility, and emergency use. The spear point's well-supported centered tip is also a natural fit for automatic deployment — it enters material cleanly on the deployment axis without the tip-bias of a tanto or the fine-point fragility of a clip point under hard use conditions.

The Launch Iridium (KS7038G10) and the manual DuraLock Iridium variants (2038RBLK, 2038R, 2038BLK, 2038) share the full-size 3.4-inch Iridium platform dimensions but differ in steel, deployment, handle material, and lock. The Launch Iridium runs CPM MagnaCut in a side-button automatic with a G-10 handle. The manual Iridium variants run D2 tool steel with manual thumb stud deployment, DuraLock crossbar lock, and anodized aluminum handles. For buyers who want automatic deployment and premium steel, the Launch Iridium. For buyers who want manual deployment and the DuraLock crossbar lock's wide positive lockup in a lighter aluminum carry package, the DuraLock Iridium variants.

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 finish wear, spring wear from sustained automatic deployment, sharpening, and damage from misuse are not covered.

The Kershaw Launch series is manufactured in the USA at Kershaw's production facility in Tualatin, Oregon — domestic manufacture is a consistent feature of the Launch lineup. Kershaw's USA production floor handles quality control, assembly, and finishing for all Launch models. As with all Kershaw knives, the Launch Iridium carries the Kershaw Lifetime Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.