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. On the 9000DECFDAM, the Damascus spear point blade deploys and retracts through the housing with every actuation — the layered pattern of the Damascus steel is visible as the blade cycles in and out. 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.

Damascus steel — also called pattern-welded steel — is produced by forge-welding two or more steel alloys in alternating layers, then manipulating the billet through twisting, folding, drawing, or other techniques to create a specific pattern in the layered structure. The blade is then ground to final geometry and etched in an acid bath, which reacts differently with each alloy layer to reveal the contrasting pattern through the finished blade face. Because the manipulation of each billet is done by hand, no two Damascus blades carry an identical pattern — each is unique. The alloy composition of the Damascus used in the 9000DECFDAM determines its specific steel performance characteristics. Confirm the steel composition from Kershaw's published specs before making a decision based on steel performance.

Damascus blades require more active maintenance than stainless steel blades because the alloys used in Damascus construction are typically higher-carbon steels with moderate to low corrosion resistance. Wipe the blade dry immediately after any moisture exposure — even hand oils and humidity can cause surface rust on bare Damascus if left unattended. Apply a thin coat of food-safe mineral oil, camellia oil, or dedicated blade oil to the blade face after cleaning and before storage. In an OTF, the blade travels through a housing mechanism where moisture can accumulate — regular maintenance of the housing channel with compressed air and light oil is important for both the mechanism and the Damascus blade. Avoid prolonged contact with acidic materials that can damage the etch pattern. Re-etching in ferric chloride solution can restore a faded pattern if desired over time.

The 9000DECFDAM uses carbon fiber panels over an aluminum handle frame — a hybrid construction that gives the knife the visual and tactile character of carbon fiber with the dimensional precision of an aluminum housing. Carbon fiber is stronger than aluminum at equivalent thickness while weighing less, does not conduct heat or cold, and provides a surface texture that is both visually distinctive — with its woven pattern — and grippy in the hand without aggressive machining. Each carbon fiber panel carries a unique pattern in the weave that no two examples share exactly. This handle construction is the most premium in the Livewire lineup and elevates the 9000DECFDAM's material profile above every aluminum-only variant in the series.

The Livewire OTF series spans nine confirmed variants, all sharing the same OTF automatic deployment platform and USA manufacture in Tualatin, Oregon. The 9000DECFDAM is the only Damascus steel and only carbon fiber handle variant in the series — it is the material-prestige piece that stands apart from all eight CPM MagnaCut colorway variants. The other eight variants are: 9000TFDEBW (blackwash tanto, FDE), 9000MERL (blackwash spear point, Merlot red), 9000OLBW (blackwash spear point, OD green), 9000RAWBLK (black PVD spear point, raw aluminum), 9000RAWGLD Aurum (gold PVD drop point, raw aluminum), 9000RAWBLU Cryo (blue PVD drop point, raw aluminum), 9000WBLK Trooper (black PVD drop point, white anodized), 9000WGLD Pope (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 patina development on the Damascus blade, carbon fiber panel wear, sharpening, and damage from misuse are not covered.

The Kershaw Livewire 9000DECFDAM is manufactured in the USA at Kershaw's production facility in Tualatin, Oregon. A USA-made Damascus OTF automatic with carbon fiber handle panels is an extremely rare combination in the production knife market — Damascus OTF automatics of any kind are uncommon in production, and USA-made examples with carbon fiber are rarer still. The Livewire Damascus delivers this at an authorized dealer price with full Kershaw Lifetime Warranty coverage.