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 9000PUR and 9000PURBLK are the two purple Livewire variants — they share the same CPM MagnaCut steel, spear point blade geometry, OTF automatic deployment, purple anodized aluminum handle, and USA manufacture in Tualatin, Oregon. The only difference is blade finish. The 9000PUR runs a stonewash finish — natural bare CPM MagnaCut steel reading as cool silver-grey against the purple handle, producing a more tonally unified two-tone where blade and handle sit in the same cool-neutral register. The 9000PURBLK runs a black blade finish — a fully blacked-out spear point reading as stark high-contrast against the violet handle. For cool natural steel that unifies tonally with the purple handle, the 9000PUR. For maximum black-on-purple contrast, the 9000PURBLK.

Stonewash CPM MagnaCut leaves the blade face as bare steel — no chemical conversion coating, no PVD layer. The stonewash texture hides fine surface scratches and diffuses light for a low-profile carry appearance. CPM MagnaCut's near-H1 corrosion resistance makes bare stonewash CPM MagnaCut 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 accumulates 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.

Purple anodizing is an electrochemical process that creates a hard aluminum oxide layer integral to the metal surface — the color is part of the metal itself rather than a paint or coating applied on top, which means it cannot chip or peel the way a spray finish can. The anodized layer will show scuffs and contact marks at wear points over time with hard daily carry, and the purple color may lighten at high-contact areas. This is normal for anodized aluminum and does not affect the structural integrity of the handle. Buyers who want to preserve the purple color tend to use the 9000PUR as a lighter-duty or display carry; buyers who carry it hard accept the honest patina as part of the knife's character.

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. Most production OTF knives run 154CM or D2 — CPM MagnaCut is a significant step up regardless of handle color.

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