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 9000CF and 9000CFBLU are both CPM MagnaCut spear point Livewire OTF variants with carbon fiber handles, sharing the same CPM MagnaCut steel, spear point blade geometry, OTF automatic deployment, and USA manufacture in Tualatin, Oregon. The differences are blade finish and handle color. The 9000CF runs a two-tone blade finish on a black carbon fiber handle — the all-black, more carry-neutral carbon fiber spear point. The 9000CFBLU runs a stonewash blade on a blue and black carbon fiber handle — a more visually distinctive color combination that pairs the natural steel of the stonewash blade against a blue-accented carbon fiber housing. For a carry-neutral all-black carbon fiber CPM MagnaCut spear point OTF, the 9000CF. For a more visually distinctive stonewash blade on blue-black carbon fiber, the 9000CFBLU.

The Livewire carbon fiber family now includes four variants. The 9000CF and 9000CFBLU both run CPM MagnaCut steel — the benchmark alloy engineered by Larrin Thomas, outperforming CPM-S35VN and M390 in edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance simultaneously. The 9000DECFDAM and 9000TCFDAM run Damascus steel — forge-welded layered alloys with unique visual patterns that vary by individual blade. CPM MagnaCut delivers more predictable and measurable steel performance; Damascus delivers a blade pattern unique to each piece. The 9000CF is the CPM MagnaCut spear point; the 9000CFBLU is the CPM MagnaCut stonewash spear point in blue-black CF; the 9000DECFDAM is the Damascus spear point; the 9000TCFDAM is the Damascus tanto.

A two-tone blade applies two distinct surface treatments to the same blade — typically one finish on the flat faces and a different finish on the bevel or edge section. The contrasting finishes make the spear point's grind geometry immediately readable and add visual depth to what would otherwise be a uniform-finish blade. Against the woven texture of the black carbon fiber handle, the two-tone blade creates a dual-texture premium pairing: blade finish variation alongside handle weave variation. Confirm the specific two-tone combination from Kershaw's spec sheet at kershawknives.com 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. 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 handles OTF housing moisture reliably. Most production OTF knives run 154CM or D2 — CPM MagnaCut is a significant step up in all three categories.

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 blade finish wear, sharpening, and damage from misuse are not covered.

The Kershaw Livewire 9000CF 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 9000CF carries the same USA production quality and Kershaw Lifetime Warranty coverage as every other variant in the lineup.