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 9000DE, the dagger blade is symmetrical — both edges ground to a centered needle-sharp tip — and deploys on the OTF central axis with the 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 9000DE and 9000DEST are both CPM MagnaCut black PVD dagger Livewire OTF variants on a black anodized aluminum handle, sharing the same steel, blade finish, handle, 3.45-inch blade length, and USA manufacture in Tualatin, Oregon. The only difference is the edge configuration. The 9000DE runs a plain double edge — both sides of the dagger ground to a clean plain edge, sharpenable on any standard flat stone or ceramic rod, delivering pure penetration and clean slice performance without a serrated zone. The 9000DEST runs a serrated edge configuration — serrations along one or both edges adding aggressive fibrous material cutting capability alongside the dagger's penetrating tip. For the cleanest-cutting, most sharpening-accessible all-black dagger OTF, the 9000DE. For serrated cutting capability on rope and webbing alongside the dagger's penetrating tip, the 9000DEST.

The Livewire dagger sub-series now includes four variants. The 9000DE runs a black PVD plain dagger on black aluminum — the all-black plain-edge penetration-pure dagger. The 9000DEST runs a black PVD serrated dagger on black aluminum — the all-black serrated dagger with fibrous cutting capability. 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-edge field-carry tactical colorway. All four share CPM MagnaCut steel, OTF automatic deployment, and USA manufacture. The 9000DE and 9000DEST are the all-black PVD pair — same finish, same handle, same blade length; edge configuration is the only differentiator.

A dagger blade is symmetrical along the blade's centerline — the spine and edge mirror each other, both sides typically ground to an edge, meeting at a centered needle-sharp tip. The centered geometry produces the smallest, most acute point possible for a given blade thickness — optimized for maximum penetration force with minimum contact area. In an OTF automatic, the dagger geometry is particularly well-matched: the blade fires on its central axis and the symmetrical tip deploys pointed directly forward, centered on the deployment line. No other blade geometry produces a tip as well-aligned to the OTF's axial deployment direction.

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 dagger OTF, toughness is most critical: the acute centered tip concentrates force onto a very small contact area under hard use, and a steel that resists chipping at that tip outperforms a harder but more brittle alternative. CPM MagnaCut's near-H1 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, sharpening, and damage from misuse are not covered.

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