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 9000BLU and 9000BLUBW are the two blue aluminum Livewire variants — they share the same CPM MagnaCut steel, spear point blade geometry, OTF automatic deployment, blue anodized aluminum handle, and USA manufacture in Tualatin, Oregon. The only difference is blade finish. The 9000BLU runs a stonewash finish — natural bare CPM MagnaCut steel reading as cool silver-grey against the blue handle for a tonally unified two-tone where blade and handle sit in the same cool color register. The 9000BLUBW runs a blackwash finish — a dark coating over the stonewash texture that reads as high-contrast dark-blade-on-blue. For natural cohesive steel-on-blue, the 9000BLU. For a darker, more contrasted black-blade-on-blue, the 9000BLUBW.

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 wears away at the high points, creating a dark two-tone effect. A blackwash blade reads darker and more uniform, adds a functional corrosion barrier, and creates more visual contrast against a colored handle. The 9000BLU's stonewash blade shows natural bare CPM MagnaCut steel for a cohesive cool pairing with the blue handle; the 9000BLUBW's blackwash blade adds a dark coating for a higher-contrast combination against the same handle.

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 OTF housing moisture far better than bare stonewash D2. 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 blue anodized aluminum handle can be wiped clean with a damp cloth — standard cleaners and isopropyl alcohol are safe on anodized aluminum. Apply a light coat of food-safe mineral oil to the bare stonewash blade face before extended storage — there is no coating layer, so the steel's corrosion resistance is the primary protection. The CPM MagnaCut 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, handle anodize wear, sharpening, and damage from misuse are not covered.

The Kershaw Livewire 9000BLU 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 9000BLU carries the same CPM MagnaCut steel, USA production quality, and Kershaw Lifetime Warranty coverage as every other variant in the lineup.