Kershaw Livewire Review: A Premium OTF Without a Premium Price

The Kershaw Livewire brings a premium OTF experience at a price that doesn’t break the bank. With its well-thought-out design, smooth operation, and outstanding value, it stands head and shoulders above many competitors. Keep reading to see why the Livewire has earned its place as a top contender in the OTF knife world and how it stacks up against other knives in its class.

In This Article

1. Knife Overview
   • Specs
   • Pros & Cons
   • Blade HQ Score: 92/100
2. Knife Character
   • Cool Factor
   • Origin Story
3. Price & Quality
   • Affordability
   • Fit & Finish
   • Ease of Operation
4. Blade & Handle
   • Blade Steel
   • Blade Shape
   • Handle Ergonomics & Design
   • Handle Material
   • Carry
5. Compare & Contrast
6. Conclusion
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Knife Overview

Kershaw Livewire Specs

Blade HQ Score: 92/100

After carrying the Kershaw Livewire for a week and using and owning countless other OTF knives, I feel confident saying the Livewire is exceptionally well done and brings a lot to the table at a relatively low price. The Livewire has a well-thought-out design that achieved its purpose: to be a premium OTF knife that’s accessible money-wise and operation-wise. I wouldn’t call it perfect, but it’s pretty close, with fantastic ergonomics, a sturdy build, and top-shelf materials. It may be expensive but cheaper than alternatives and doesn’t cut corners.

Knife Character

Cool Factor: 9/10

The Kershaw Livewire OTF does a captivating dance with symmetry and asymmetry that draws the eye (which is why I think the Livewire dagger blade looks the best). It earns even more style points with its raked pocket clip and machined handle details. The knife has personality! 

The only "downside" I can put under Cool Factor is that its sound is a little weak. The internal springs can ring slightly, and the noise is a little squeakier than other OTFs. Is it a nitpick? For sure. 

Origin Story: 10/10

The Livewire was Kershaw’s first OTF automatic knife and resulted from the combined efforts of the Kershaw Originals team and custom knifemaker Matt Diskin. 

Sparing no pains on research or testing, Kershaw made the Livewire comfortable and easy to use for anyone—including an elderly secretary at Kershaw—making it stand out from its competition. Its accessible pricing makes it stand out even more, which Kershaw achieved by working smarter instead of harder: They designed parts that are easier and cheaper to produce, bringing down the cost without taking quality down, too. 

In short, the Livewire raised the bar and lowered the price on premium OTFs, forcing the competition to follow suit or be outshined—a big win for consumers! Easy 10/10.

Price & Quality

Affordability: 6/10

The Livewire is a premium product that comes in well below the $300-plus price tag of comparable knives. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a USA-made OTF this good at a sub-$300 price, let alone sub-$250. But at the end of the day, the Livewire is still over $200, so I can’t give it more than a 6/10.

It was even rated "Most Accessible OTF" in our Best OTF Knives article!

Fit & Finish: 10/10

Does the Kershaw Livewire’s quality hold up under a microscope? I think so. Everything fits nearly seamlessly together, the blade play is minimal (blade play is typical on this type of knife), and the bevels and edge grind are even

Ease of Operation: 10/10 

I’d give this an 11/10 if I could. The Livewire is easy and comfortable to use, with a fidget factor through the roof. Kershaw prioritized smooth, user-friendly operation, making an OTF that’s accessible to those with weaker hands and more sensitive thumbs. 

Blade & Handle

Blade Steel: 10/10 

If it’s not MagnaCut, it’s not good enough—at least, that seems to be the sentiment these days.

The Livewire started with CPM 20CV (a fantastic blade steel in its own right) but pivoted to MagnaCut, increasing the blade’s toughness and corrosion resistance at the cost of a little edge retention. MagnaCut might be the ultimate user steel: it’s strong enough to take and dish out a beating and requires only occasional sharpening to maintain. 

Want to learn more about this super steel? Check out our MagnaCut article to answer all your questions!

Blade Shape: 10/10 

Kershaw’s Livewire knife is available with a spear point, dagger, or tanto blade. Whichever style you choose, you’re getting a well-thought-out blade with eye-catching details. Each will perform exceptionally in any OTF use case, from tactical to EDC. 

Handle Ergonomics & Design: 9/10

Despite its unique styling, the Livewire is very comfortable to hold. It’s textured enough to provide plenty of grip purchase but not so textured that it’s ever painful or abrasive. The pocket clip doesn’t cause any hotspots and the contours of the handle feel comfortable. 

The only gripe I have with the design is the visible slit in the thumb slide track (when the blade is retracted). Not only does it create an additional entry point for lint and dirt to clog the mechanism, but I find it unsightly. Yes, I’m that picky. 

Handle Material: 9/10 

Aluminum is always a good choice when it comes to automatic out-the-front knives. Aluminum isn’t special as a handle material, but it’s uniquely excellent at keeping OTFs strong and lightweight despite the heavy steel internals and complexity. In this case, the aluminum is high-grade with an anodized finish. 

Carry: 9/10 

The Livewire has a somewhat long handle, so it might not fit in every pocket. But where it does fit, it’s secured by a perfectly excellent pocket clip. The clip is fastened to the butt of the knife via two screws, and it can be reversed for left-handed users. Despite being angled slightly (stylishly running parallel to a line of grooves), the clip will slide over your pocket with no problem. It’s low-profile and short, ensuring it stays out of the way. 

The Livewire is a top of the line OTF knife from Kershaw, and it doesn’t end there! Kershaw produces some of the best affordable knives on the market. Check out our Best Kershaw Knives article to discover more from Kershaw today! 

Compare & Contrast

Microtech vs. Guardian Tactical

How does Kershaw’s Livewire compare to the competition? Let’s size it up with a Microtech Ultratech and Guardian Tactical RECON-035.

Length-wise, it’s just about a match with the Ultratech, but it’s a bit wider, closer to the RECON-035. It has arguably better blade steel than both unless you value edge retention over all else, in which case you’ll prefer the Ultratech. 

The Livewire is easier and more comfortable to use than the Ultratech but might be beaten out by the RECON-035, which has famously smooth action. When it comes to blade play, the Livewire has as little as the Ultratech—any less, and it would be gone completely; in this way, it surpasses the RECON-035. Lastly, in the hand, I find the Livewire to be the most comfortable of the three. Ultimately, all are fantastic options, but the Livewire is the most affordable.

Looking to discover more? Take a look at our expansive collection of OTF knives today!

Conclusion

As Kershaw’s first OTF, the Livewire is inarguably an incredible knife and can be yours for significantly less money than the competition. There are minor things here and there that may not be ideal, and despite being cheap for its kind, it’s still an expensive knife. But it would be inaccurate to say the Livewire is anything less than incredible. 

Made in the USA, it’s built to work without causing you discomfort and will last a lifetime. The Livewire is the perfect OTF auto for new knife enthusiasts and is sure to please longtime collectors, too. The Kershaw Livewire is available at Blade HQ, so if you’re interested in trying one out, you don’t have to go far! We stock it in several configurations, including our exclusive Ultem version, which lets you see through to the magic—er, I mean mechanism—on the inside. 

Like what you see? Get yourself your very own Livewire today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What type of steel is used for the blade of the Kershaw Livewire?

Currently, the Livewire is being produced with CPM MagnaCut steel; however, when the knife first came out, it had CPM 20CV steel. It was changed to MagnaCut within a couple of months.

2. Is the Kershaw Livewire a good EDC (Everyday Carry) knife?

Yes. Many users, including myself, find the one-handed useability of OTF automatic knives handy for day-to-day use. The Livewire is especially good due to its ergonomic handle, easy action, and comfortable thumb slide.

3. How does the Kershaw Livewire compare to other Kershaw knives?

The Livewire is Kershaw’s first OTF knife, significantly departing from its more typical folding knives. Quality-wise, it will match that of the Kershaw Launch series and Zero Tolerance knives, as they’re all made in the same factory in the USA.

4. What is the warranty or return policy for the Kershaw Livewire?

If you purchase your Kershaw Livewire through us at Blade HQ, we offer a No Hassle Returns Policy with free return shipping. Regarding warranty, Kershaw provides coverage on all their knives, which you can learn more about on Kershaw’s warranty page on their website.

5. What are the main features of the Kershaw Livewire?

The Kershaw Livewire’s main feature is a double-action automatic firing mechanism, which deploys and retracts the blade with the push of a switch. The Livewire features exceptionally smooth action, a relatively low price point, and a MagnaCut steel blade.