Outside The Box
Not surprisingly, when state laws banning automatic knives were being repealed around a decade ago, Kershaw jumped in feet first. Their Launch series, now up to 20 OTS (Out The Side) models, has been a huge success. Now, they’ve taken it one step farther.
Enter the Livewire, Kershaw’s first OTF (Out The Front) auto. Made in collaboration with custom knifemaker Matt Diskin, the design team at Kershaw pulled out the stops. The 3.3″ Stonewashed Spear Point blade is Crucible Industries’ CPM MagnaCut stainless — the hottest steel on the planet right now. The Livewire is also offered in a BlackWash finish, and an optional Japanese Tanto version is available as well. The blade fires by a side-mounted, ambidextrous, double-action thumb slide. The Livewire’s stylish 4.8″ milled aluminum handle is available in blue, light gray, or black anodized finishes. A tip-down pocket clip is included, and the weight is 3.06 oz.
Fixed blades have always been a part of the Kershaw line, and their Deschutes Skinner and Caper duo share the company’s knack for innovative design. These knives feature D2 Steel — a favorite among many hunters due to its sheer toughness and ability to hold an edge. The handles are grippy, rubberized Olive Green Polypropylene with checkering molded in for enhanced purchase. The Caper, featured here, is 7.0″ overall with a low-angled 3.30″ Clip Point blade sporting a Stonewash finish. Both the Deschutes Skinner and Caper include sheaths comprising a black glass-filled nylon main housing with a nylon belt loop and handle strap.
The old adage “No risk, no reward” was never more true than with Kershaw Knives. When the company first produced assisted opening folders, any number of things could have gone haywire — not the least their being banned. Instead, they started a knife revolution. More recently, they’ve carved out a huge chunk of the Automatic market. The knife manufacturer has done an admirable job of keeping their knife designs — fixed blades and folders — fresh and innovative. As they enter a new decade, Kershaw Knives is perfectly staged for a future of many more.
For more info: Kershaw.kaiusa.com
Subscribe To American Handgunner
Read the full article here