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 9000RAWBLK and 9000WBLK (Trooper) both run a black PVD blade on the same Livewire OTF platform with CPM MagnaCut steel and USA manufacture. They differ in blade geometry and handle finish. The 9000RAWBLK runs a spear point blade on a raw uncoated aluminum handle — a cooler, more industrial black-and-natural-silver two-tone with the most versatile everyday blade geometry in the series. The 9000WBLK (Trooper) runs a drop point blade on a white anodized aluminum handle — the highest-contrast black-on-white two-tone with a slightly longer blade belly suited to slicing tasks. For industrial cool-contrast with a spear point, the 9000RAWBLK. For maximum color contrast with a drop point, the Trooper.

The Livewire OTF series now spans six confirmed variants, all sharing CPM MagnaCut steel and USA manufacture in Tualatin, Oregon. The 9000RAWBLK runs black PVD spear point on raw aluminum. The 9000RAWGLD (Aurum) runs gold PVD drop point on raw aluminum. The 9000RAWBLU (Cryo) runs blue PVD drop point on raw aluminum. The 9000WBLK (Trooper) runs black PVD drop point on white anodized aluminum. The 9000WGLD (Pope) runs gold PVD drop point on white anodized aluminum. The 9000OLBW runs blackwash spear point on olive green anodized aluminum. The 9000RAWBLK is notable as the only Livewire variant with a black PVD spear point — every other black PVD Livewire runs a drop point.

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 show contact marks, fingerprints, and surface scratches more readily than anodized aluminum and develops a natural carry patina over time. Structurally, raw 6061-T6 aluminum is fully stable and dimensionally consistent regardless of surface finish condition. Avoid harsh solvents on the bare aluminum surface — a dry or lightly damp cloth is the right cleaning tool for daily maintenance.

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 black PVD coating on the 9000RAWBLK adds another 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 9000RAWBLK is manufactured in the USA at Kershaw's production facility in Tualatin, Oregon. A USA-made OTF in CPM MagnaCut with black 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. The Livewire delivers both on the same platform and carries the Kershaw Lifetime Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.