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 Livewire OTF series now spans three confirmed variants, all sharing CPM MagnaCut steel, drop point or spear point blade geometry, OTF automatic deployment, and USA manufacture in Tualatin, Oregon. The 9000RAWBLU (Cryo) runs a blue PVD drop point blade on a raw uncoated aluminum handle — the most industrial, high-contrast two-tone in the series. The 9000WGLD (Pope) runs a gold PVD drop point blade on a white anodized aluminum handle — the warmest and most collector-oriented colorway. The 9000OLBW runs a blackwash spear point blade on an olive green anodized aluminum handle — the field-ready, low-profile carry combination. For cold-contrast industrial aesthetics with blue PVD, the Cryo. For warm collector aesthetics with gold PVD, the Pope. For field carry with a tactical finish, the OD green.

Raw aluminum refers to 6061-T6 aluminum in its natural, uncoated, unfinished state — no anodizing, no cerakote, no paint. The natural surface is the bare silver of the machined aluminum alloy itself. Raw aluminum will develop a natural oxide layer over time through exposure to air, which actually provides modest corrosion resistance, but it is not as hard or scratch-resistant as anodized aluminum — it will show contact marks, fingerprints, and surface scratches with regular carry more readily than a finished handle. Many buyers treat this as part of the knife's character — the raw handle develops a unique patina with carry that no two examples share. Buyers who want a pristine appearance should be prepared for visible wear marks. Structurally, raw 6061-T6 aluminum is fully stable and dimensionally consistent 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 blue PVD coating on the 9000RAWBLU adds another corrosion and wear 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.

OTF knives require more regular maintenance than folding knives because the housing mechanism accumulates pocket lint, debris, and moisture with daily carry. Keep the housing channel clean by periodically blowing out debris with compressed air and applying a light coat of thin oil to the blade and mechanism — a thin oil like Rem Oil or Sentry Solutions TUF-GLIDE works well without attracting additional debris. Avoid heavy oils or greases that collect lint. The raw aluminum handle on the 9000RAWBLU can be wiped clean with a dry cloth — avoid harsh solvents that may cause uneven oxidation of the bare aluminum surface. The CPM MagnaCut blade sharpens readily on ceramic rods or fine diamond stones at the blade's existing bevel angle.

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 9000RAWBLU is manufactured in the USA at Kershaw's production facility in Tualatin, Oregon. A USA-made OTF in CPM MagnaCut with blue PVD and raw aluminum is an unusual combination in the production automatic market — most domestic OTF production runs lower-tier steels without PVD finish options or raw handle treatments. The Livewire delivers all three on the same platform and carries the Kershaw Lifetime Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.