OTF stands for out-the-front — the blade deploys and retracts axially through an opening in the front of the handle rather than folding open like a conventional folder. On the Kershaw Livewire, push the slider on the spine forward to deploy the blade and push it back to retract. The blade locks positively when fully deployed and retracts cleanly on the return stroke. OTF knives are true automatic knives by legal definition and are subject to the same state and federal restrictions as side-button automatics. See the legality FAQ below before purchasing.

OTF automatic knives are subject to strict regulation under federal and state law. Under federal law, the interstate sale and transport of automatic knives — including OTF knives — is restricted. Knifeworks can only ship OTF automatics to buyers in states where automatic knives are legal to own and carry. State laws vary significantly: some states permit OTF automatics 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 OTF 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 OTF automatics are prohibited.

The 9000RAWGLD and 9000WGLD are the two gold PVD variants in the Livewire OTF series — both run the same CPM MagnaCut drop point blade with gold PVD finish, same OTF automatic deployment, same USA manufacture in Tualatin, Oregon, and identical blade specs. The sole difference is the handle. The 9000WGLD (Pope) uses white anodized aluminum — a refined, finished surface that pairs the warm gold blade with a crisp white handle for a clean two-tone. The 9000RAWGLD (Aurum) uses raw uncoated aluminum — natural silver metal that develops a patina over time, pairing the gold blade with the naturalistic silver of bare 6061-T6. For refined collector aesthetics, the Pope. For an elemental metallic two-tone that develops character with carry, the Aurum.

The Livewire OTF series spans five confirmed variants, all sharing CPM MagnaCut steel, OTF automatic deployment, and USA manufacture in Tualatin, Oregon. The 9000RAWGLD (Aurum) runs gold PVD drop point on raw aluminum. The 9000WGLD (Pope) runs gold PVD drop point on white anodized aluminum. The 9000WBLK (Trooper) runs black PVD drop point on white anodized aluminum. The 9000RAWBLU (Cryo) runs blue PVD drop point on raw aluminum. The 9000OLBW runs blackwash spear point on olive green anodized aluminum. The Aurum and Cryo are the two raw aluminum variants — they form a natural pair for buyers who prefer the natural handle aesthetic in warm (gold) and cool (blue) finish combinations.

Raw aluminum refers to 6061-T6 aluminum in its natural, uncoated, unfinished state — no anodizing, no cerakote, no surface treatment. The natural surface is the bare silver of the machined aluminum alloy. Raw aluminum will develop a natural oxide layer over time through air exposure, which provides modest corrosion resistance, but it shows contact marks, fingerprints, and surface scratches more readily than anodized aluminum. The raw handle develops a unique carry patina over time — warm golden overtones can develop at contact points as the aluminum oxidizes, which actually complements the gold PVD blade on the 9000RAWGLD in a way that no other Livewire variant achieves. Structurally, raw 6061-T6 aluminum is fully stable regardless of surface finish condition.

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 OTF knife, edge retention keeps the blade deployment-ready through more carry cycles before maintenance. CPM MagnaCut's near-H1 corrosion resistance is particularly relevant in an OTF platform where the blade travels through a housing channel that can accumulate moisture and debris. The gold PVD coating on the 9000RAWGLD adds a hard, durable barrier on top of an already highly corrosion-resistant steel. Most production OTF knives run 154CM or D2 — CPM MagnaCut is a significant step up in all three performance categories.

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, mechanism wear from sustained OTF cycling, cosmetic PVD finish wear at the blade bevel, natural patina development on the raw aluminum handle, sharpening, and damage from misuse are not covered.

The Kershaw Livewire 9000RAWGLD is manufactured in the USA at Kershaw's production facility in Tualatin, Oregon. A USA-made OTF in CPM MagnaCut with gold PVD and raw aluminum is an unusual combination in the production automatic market. The Livewire Aurum delivers both on the same platform and carries the Kershaw Lifetime Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.