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 9000DEST, 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. 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 Livewire dagger sub-series includes three variants. The 9000DEST runs a black PVD serrated dagger on black anodized aluminum — the fully unified all-black zero-signature configuration with the most durable black coating, serrated edges for fibrous cutting, and the longest blade in the dagger group at 3.45 inches. The 9000DESTBLU runs a black partially serrated dagger on blue anodized aluminum — serrated edge in a bold blue colorway. The 9000DEOL runs a black plain-edge dagger on OD green anodized aluminum — plain edges in a field-carry tactical colorway. The 9000DEST is the call for buyers who want the most edge-versatile, most carry-neutral, and hardest-finish dagger OTF in the series.

Black PVD (physical vapor deposition) bonds a titanium nitride or zirconium nitride layer to the blade surface at the molecular level under vacuum conditions. The PVD layer is harder than the CPM MagnaCut steel underneath — significantly harder than black-oxide and more adhesion-stable than any chemical conversion coating. In an OTF knife where the blade cycles through a housing channel with every deployment, black PVD resists contact wear at the housing contact points better than black-oxide or blackwash under equivalent daily carry. The 9000DEST's black PVD coating holds its appearance and corrosion barrier longer than lower-durability black finishes under hard daily carry and sustained OTF deployment.

A serrated dagger combines the dagger blade's symmetrical double-edged geometry — both edges ground to a centered needle-sharp tip — with serrated teeth along one or both edges. The serrations add aggressive cutting capability on fibrous and tough materials where serrations excel: rope, webbing, seatbelts, strapping, heavy cordage. The plain dagger geometry handles penetration and general cutting; the serrations handle fibrous material where a plain edge would require more effort. The 9000DEST's serrated dagger configuration gives it more edge versatility than a plain-edge dagger while maintaining the centered penetrating tip of the dagger geometry. Confirm from Kershaw's published specs whether the serrations appear on one edge or both edges of the 9000DEST before publishing.

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 serrated dagger OTF, all three matter: edge retention keeps both the serrated and plain sections sharp longer through sustained use. Toughness supports the acute dagger tip under hard lateral loads — the centered tip concentrates force on a very small contact area, and a tougher steel resists chipping better than a harder but more brittle alternative. Corrosion resistance handles OTF housing moisture reliably. The black PVD coating stacks an additional hard protective layer on top.

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, serration wear from cutting use, sharpening, and damage from misuse are not covered.

The Kershaw Livewire 9000DEST is manufactured in the USA at Kershaw's production facility in Tualatin, Oregon. A USA-made CPM MagnaCut black PVD serrated dagger OTF automatic is an extremely rare combination in the production knife market. The Livewire carries the Kershaw Lifetime Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.