OTF stands for out-the-front — the blade deploys and retracts axially through an opening in the front of the handle. 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. On the 9000DEOL, the dagger blade is symmetrical — both edges ground to a centered needle-sharp tip — and deploys on the OTF axis with the centered point aimed directly forward at full extension. The dagger is the most alignment-optimized geometry in the OTF format for on-axis penetration. 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. Dagger blades — which typically have two sharpened edges — are additionally restricted or prohibited in many jurisdictions beyond standard OTF automatic knife restrictions. State and local laws on daggers vary widely and are independent of OTF regulations. Knifeworks cannot provide legal advice. It is your responsibility to verify that both OTF automatic knives and dagger blades 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 where either OTF automatics or daggers are prohibited.

The 9000DEOL and 9000DESTBLU are both CPM MagnaCut dagger OTF variants in the Livewire series, sharing the dagger blade geometry, OTF automatic deployment, and USA manufacture. The differences are blade finish, edge configuration, and handle color. The 9000DEOL runs a black plain-edge dagger on an OD green handle — the field-carry, tactical-dark dagger combination. The 9000DESTBLU runs a black partially serrated dagger on a blue anodized handle — the serrated edge adding fibrous material cutting capability alongside the plain dagger edge, in a more visually bold blue colorway. For a plain-edge field-carry dagger OTF, the 9000DEOL. For a serrated-edge dagger OTF in a blue colorway, the 9000DESTBLU.

A dagger blade is symmetrical along the blade's centerline — the spine and edge mirror each other, meeting at a centered needle-sharp tip. Both sides of the blade are typically ground to an edge, giving the dagger cutting capability on both the top and bottom edge. The centered tip geometry produces the smallest, most acute point possible for a given blade thickness — optimized for maximum penetration force with minimum contact area. In an OTF automatic, the dagger geometry is particularly well-matched to the deployment format: the blade fires on its central axis and the symmetrical tip deploys pointed directly forward, centered on the deployment line. No other blade geometry produces a tip this well-aligned to the OTF's axial deployment direction.

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. For a dagger OTF, toughness is the most critical property: the acute centered tip concentrates force onto a very small contact area under hard use, and a steel that resists chipping under those conditions performs better than a harder but more brittle alternative. CPM MagnaCut's near-H1 corrosion resistance handles OTF housing moisture reliably. Edge retention keeps both dagger edges sharp through sustained deployment cycles. Most production dagger OTFs run lower-tier steels — CPM MagnaCut is a significant step up.

OTF knives require more regular maintenance than folding knives because the housing mechanism accumulates pocket lint, debris, and moisture with daily carry. Periodically blow out debris with compressed air and apply a light coat of thin oil to the blade and mechanism. Avoid heavy oils that collect lint. The OD green anodized aluminum handle can be wiped clean with a damp cloth — standard cleaners and isopropyl alcohol are safe on anodized aluminum. The CPM MagnaCut blade sharpens on ceramic rods or fine diamond stones. A dagger has two edge sections — sharpen each side independently at the 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 blade finish wear, sharpening, and damage from misuse are not covered.

The Kershaw Livewire 9000DEOL is manufactured in the USA at Kershaw's production facility in Tualatin, Oregon. A USA-made CPM MagnaCut dagger OTF automatic in OD green is a combination that does not exist elsewhere in the production knife market. The Livewire carries the Kershaw Lifetime Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.