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 9000CFBLU, 9000DECFDAM, and 9000TCFDAM are the three carbon fiber handle variants in the Livewire OTF series — all share the premium carbon fiber handle construction and USA manufacture in Tualatin, Oregon. The key difference is blade steel and geometry. The 9000CFBLU runs CPM MagnaCut in a stonewash spear point — the benchmark modern alloy with exceptional edge retention and near-H1 corrosion resistance in the most versatile everyday blade geometry. The 9000DECFDAM runs Damascus steel in a spear point — the material-prestige piece with a unique layered pattern on each blade. The 9000TCFDAM runs Damascus steel in a tanto — the tactically hard-use Damascus piece. For buyers who want the best-performing steel available in a carbon fiber Livewire OTF, the 9000CFBLU. For buyers who want Damascus material prestige, the 9000DECFDAM or 9000TCFDAM.

The blue and black carbon fiber handle weaves blue-tinted carbon fiber strands with standard black carbon fiber in a pattern that reads as dark blue-black and shifts slightly in different lighting conditions. Carbon fiber is produced by weaving carbon fiber strands and impregnating the weave with an epoxy resin matrix — the woven pattern is visible through the surface in the finished panel, and the blue-tinted strands create a subtle color variation across the weave. Because the weaving and panel-cutting process involves natural variation in the fiber alignment, no two carbon fiber panels carry an identical pattern — each handle is unique in its surface appearance. The blue and black combination is the only colored carbon fiber handle in the Livewire series, distinguishing the 9000CFBLU from the standard black carbon fiber panels of the 9000DECFDAM and 9000TCFDAM.

Stonewash CPM MagnaCut leaves the blade face in bare steel form without a chemical conversion or PVD coating. The stonewash texture hides fine surface scratches and diffuses light for a low-profile carry appearance. CPM MagnaCut's near-H1 corrosion resistance means bare stonewash CPM MagnaCut is significantly more tolerant of moisture exposure than bare stonewash D2 — a meaningful advantage in an OTF platform where the blade travels through a housing channel that can accumulate moisture with daily carry. Wipe the blade dry after extended moisture exposure and apply a light coat of food-safe mineral oil before storage. The blade develops a natural patina over time that many buyers prefer to a coated finish.

The Livewire OTF series now spans eleven confirmed variants, all sharing USA manufacture in Tualatin, Oregon. The 9000CFBLU is the only CPM MagnaCut carbon fiber handle variant in the series — the other two carbon fiber variants run Damascus steel. The full series: 9000CFBLU (MagnaCut stonewash spear point, blue/black CF), 9000DESTBLU (MagnaCut black serrated dagger, blue anodized), 9000TCFDAM (Damascus tanto, black CF), 9000DECFDAM (Damascus spear point, black CF), 9000TFDEBW (MagnaCut blackwash tanto, FDE), 9000MERL (MagnaCut blackwash spear point, Merlot), 9000OLBW (MagnaCut blackwash spear point, OD green), 9000RAWBLK (MagnaCut black PVD spear point, raw aluminum), 9000RAWGLD (MagnaCut gold PVD drop point, raw aluminum), 9000RAWBLU (MagnaCut blue PVD drop point, raw aluminum), 9000WBLK (MagnaCut black PVD drop point, white anodized), 9000WGLD (MagnaCut gold PVD drop point, white anodized).

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 stonewash patina development, carbon fiber panel wear, sharpening, and damage from misuse are not covered.

The Kershaw Livewire 9000CFBLU is manufactured in the USA at Kershaw's production facility in Tualatin, Oregon. A USA-made OTF in CPM MagnaCut with a blue and black carbon fiber handle is a combination that does not exist elsewhere in the production automatic knife market. The Livewire carries the Kershaw Lifetime Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.