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 9000OL and 9000OLBW are the two olive green Livewire variants — they share the same CPM MagnaCut steel, spear point blade geometry, OTF automatic deployment, olive green anodized aluminum handle, and USA manufacture in Tualatin, Oregon. The only difference is blade finish. The 9000OL runs a stonewash finish — the bare multi-directional texture of natural CPM MagnaCut steel, reading as silver-grey against the olive green handle for a visible steel-on-green two-tone. The 9000OLBW runs a blackwash finish — a stonewash base with a black layer settled into the recesses, reading as dark and low-profile against the olive green for a more subdued, tactical-dark combination. For natural bare steel visible against the olive green, the 9000OL. For a darker, more low-profile blade against the same handle, the 9000OLBW.

Stonewash is produced by tumbling the blade with abrasive media, creating a multi-directional matte texture across the bare steel surface. The result is the natural color of the steel — on CPM MagnaCut, a cool silver-grey — with a texture that diffuses light and hides minor carry scratches. There is no coating layer on a stonewash blade. Blackwash adds a second step: after the stonewash texture is applied, a black layer is added that settles into the recesses and is worn away at the high points, creating a dark two-tone effect across the textured surface. A blackwash blade reads darker and more uniform than a stonewash blade, adds a functional corrosion barrier across the blade face, and hides carry wear even more effectively. The 9000OL's stonewash blade shows natural bare CPM MagnaCut steel; the 9000OLBW's blackwash blade adds a dark coating over the same textured surface.

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. Toughness supports the blade cycling under spring tension with every deployment. CPM MagnaCut's near-H1 corrosion resistance is particularly valuable in bare stonewash form — without a coating layer, the steel's own corrosion resistance is the only protection on the blade face, and CPM MagnaCut handles that exposure far better than bare stonewash D2 in an OTF housing environment. Most production OTF knives run 154CM or D2 — CPM MagnaCut is a significant step up in all three categories.

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 olive green anodized aluminum handle can be wiped clean with a damp cloth — standard cleaners and isopropyl alcohol are safe on anodized aluminum. The bare stonewash CPM MagnaCut blade benefits from a light coat of food-safe mineral oil before extended storage, as there is no coating layer on the blade face. The blade sharpens readily on ceramic rods or fine diamond stones.

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, sharpening, and damage from misuse are not covered.

The Kershaw Livewire 9000OL is manufactured in the USA at Kershaw's production facility in Tualatin, Oregon. Domestic manufacture is a consistent feature of the entire Livewire series. The 9000OL carries the same CPM MagnaCut steel, USA production quality, and Kershaw Lifetime Warranty coverage as every other variant in the lineup.