Features:
Description:
With its machined handle and integrated backspacer, the Tim Galyean designed Kershaw Launch 7 boasts a unique industrial appearance. The knife offers a lean profile equipped with a long CPM-154 stainless steel clip point blade. Its ergonomic handle is made from lightweight aluminum with sculpted details that provide a solid grip and an eye-catching look. The Launch 7 features superb automatic action and easy one-handed push button deployment.
The Kershaw Launch Series high-performance, USA-made automatics that punch way above their price point! Shop the whole selection!
I've had this knife for probably 9-10 months now, it came pretty sharp, however I had it professionally sharpened by a guy at a gun show who has a belt sharpener and all the goodies to go with it. For the last 6 months or so it has remained absolutely crazy sharp, and I've used it a lot. I've been a "knife guy" for probably 50+ years, and can attest that the steel Kershaw is using is pretty hard to beat.
I picked this knife up as my first automatic knife and first EDC knife and I can't name anything about it I don't like. The style, the handle, the blade, the design. The knife launches good fits in my hand well and there is an indent in the handle for your index finger.
Did something stupid and snapped the tip, had to buy a second to replace it right away. Action is snappy, this knife opens with authority. No blade wobble or centering issues since I've owned it for over a year now. Not the easiest knife in the world to sharpen, but it takes a keen edge and holds it well. I put a deep carry pocket clip on it, though I see why Kershaw doesn't sell it with one as it creates a bit of a hot spot in the ergos. Very comfortable and light knife though. 10/10 would recommend for a budget auto.
Just received my first Launch 7, yesterday. I have 3 Microtechs, a Pro Tech-Emerson CQC7, a Spartan Auto partially serrated tanto blade model, and as of yesterday; both a Kershaw Launch 6, and a Launch 7. As far as I can tell, both Kershaws lock up as solidly as the others. Both Kershaw autos feel good in my mitts, the edge geometry is swell, and the knives just seem very well made. The only thing even resembling a tiny, wee, microbe of any issue with the Launch 7 is that the handle is pretty skinny. The Launch 6 has a wider handle which is a wee bit easier for me to hold. I have skeleton finger hands and am not the most dextrously gifted cat, so the handle width bit is not a design flaw, but rather, a subjective, individual feel preference based on how my goofy hands are built and how they move. If you cannot spend, or do not wish to spend $150 and up on a quality, USA made, auto opener; I urge you to give the American made Kershaw Launch 6 and Launch 7 serious consideration.
The Launch 7 I've had and used for a few weeks now, ...is VERY Impressive. A great auto action, adding oil from the start. Tight. Very comfortable in my large hand. Sharp as always, but the feel (very light weight) is the difference. The style / shape / design is Dope. Fair price from HQ as well. GET ONE ! !
Fits well in hand. Smooth action. Overall nice design. One of my favorite autos!
Launch 7 price and purchase was all ok. Light weight auto knife, quick opening from any position of the hand and wrist, no wobble. Plenty sharp. Thin and long but clips good and stays in my jeans pocket. Will likely purchase another Launch later on. Recommended.
I own about thirty mid to high end folders,ten or so are autos-quality and functionality wise,none are better then this one.Not my favorite edc,but is in my rotation,(and that alone is a great compliment,considering the competition it has).My absolute favorite edc is either my endura or manix 2 lightweight,(just because you spend more money,doesn't nessacarly mean you get a better knife).But back to the subject,kershaw makes some of the best autos around-they're rock solid,always good action,lightweight,and stand up well to hard use,and personally,I think the blacked out 7 is a very cool looking knife
After picking up a Boker Kalashnikov (an impulse buy on a Blade HQ checkout) I decided I wanted to try a quality auto without breaking the bank. I initially liked the looks and blade shape of the Launch 6 but I read about some problems with earlier knives in the Launch series bouncing off the stop pin and failing to lock up. I like a longer blade anyway, and after reading reviews and watching YouTube videos I settled on the Launch 7. Like many I was initially put off by the modernistic handle design but this is actually a very ergonomic and comfortable knife...it's also light. Centering, lockup and grind were all spot on, and the knife opens plenty fast...if it were any snappier it'd be hard to hold onto. It was decently sharp on arrival but a little short of hair-shaving...a touch-up with fine stones on my Sharpmaker remedied that. The blade is rather narrow (compared to my previous EDC Spyderco) but it's still a good slicer. My sole criticism is that it doesn't come with a deep-carry pocket clip. The Launch 7 completely satisfied my curiosity and desire for an auto knife, I'm not even tempted by pricy Benchmades and Microtechs. You can't do better at $104 or anywhere close to it...a powdered steel 3.8" blade, machined aircraft aluminum scales, perfect lockup, buttery-smooth action, great ergonomics, instant deployment, a lifetime warranty, made in the USA and it all weighs in at 3.25 ounces, it doesn't get much better than this. I don't need any more knives but while searching for this one I came across a Kershaw Blur (my first EDC 15 years back) in S30V steel for under $90...Kershaw's higher end knives are an incredible bargain and even their cheaper offerings are tempting...they all share great design and impressive quality...this company has got it together.
This is my second Launch 7. I lost the first one due to my own carelessness. Broke my heart and I had to replace it. Flawless mechanism, nice shape, size and weight. Kershaw seems to have it down. I think I like the blade shape on the Launch 6 slightly better. My other knives are jealous. I'll carry one of the Kershaws.
I love this knife! It is light weight, has a good snap when opening and has sleek lines. I was concerned at first that there is no safety on it but the button is recessed enough that accidental opening has not been a problem. I think Kershaw did it right with this one. I do think they missed a great opportunity when the didn't name this one the Raptor though!
So I have this rule not to spend over $100 for a knife. I went over that price by a few bucks. WORTH. This is my new favorite knife. Here's why. Sexy long blade. I did the classic blade shape also. The hand is a bit modern, but here's the thing...it gets smaller the closer it gets to the edge of your pocket. Takes up so little space. It's great in pocket. The launch "button" is recessed but NOT hard to get to quickly. I haven't had it that long and my thumb goes to the button natural. This handle is a bit longer and you can handle it ok with gloves. That's a bonus for some. Now, about the "launch." It feels like slicing butter and then has a satisfying snap. When you close it, it feels....strangely soft. All you hear is a reassuring little snap sound at the very bottom of the close. I also enjoy the nice finger groove, so you can get a good grip. It feels good in my medium size hands. Cons: This does NOT come with a deep carry pocket clip. I will add one to mine. Backspacer seems solid, but I'm not crazy about it. Maybe because it seems plastic. But it is a light knife (which is a positive) Overall, This is a great choice for a starting auto in it's price range. Just buy it dude.
Wasn't sure at first as it is pretty light (got it at the same time as a Kizer Dorado titanium flipper), but it grew on me real quick. Snappy opening, very sharp...would definitely recommend.
I Ilke the modern design and color and materials of this knife. I like the snappy and firmly locking automatic action. I like the weight and thiness of this knife. I like the blade length and steel. I like the aluminum slabs. I LOVE the value prop BHQ price and service. It's in my pocket right now. I like this knife very much.
This thing has been a great workhorse for me. I am able to carry it in my back pocket right next to my wallet since it is so slim. It is long enough to sit at the same depth as my wallet and even though I am sitting on it, I forget it is there. The blade shoots out hard and fast, so you really have to be prepared for it or it will fly out of your hand if you are not ready. It always locks up perfectly, and the blade sits right in the middle when closed. The only time I have had any semblance of an issue with this knife was when I was using it to gouge out a hole into some tough plastic, and my thumb moved just a little bit and pushed the button down and the blade almost closed on my fingers until I was able to pull away. Again, the only reason this happened is because of user error, and it will always get the job done for you. Can't recommend this thing enough for someone that has larger hands!
Received this today and was blown away at how light this thing is. No blade play, a smooth deployment and perfectly centered. Can’t find a single thing to complain about on this knife. This is my first Kershaw and I must say I’m impressed.
The Kershaw Launch 7 is a great EDC, a snappy and ergonomic knife. It is lightweight for the size of the blade, and feels comfortable in hand. Way to go Kershaw!
First off, the action on this blade is smooth. It flies open without a hitch. I love the 154cm, it holds an amazing edge. This is a big blade in a lot of people's opinion but to me I don't like carrying folding knives with blades smaller that the blade on this knife. To me it is the perfect size. My only regret about buying this knife is I gave mine to my dad because father's day snuck up on me.
This particular version 7 is the best. It fires hard and locks every time. I have the 1,2,3,6 and now this 7. It's on a higher level. Ergo and fit/finish are worth twice the price of admission. Powdered Steel auto for $100.
This is a really great knife for the price. I was very impressed with it in basically all aspects. The blade and handle colors even matched better than I had expected.
This was my first purchase over $50. If you dont want to spend much over $100 the launch family is the PERFECT choice for quality and bang for your buck. Firstly the blade.... its a big one, moreso a LONG blade, especially for an auto. It fires smoothly and surprisingly snappy for its size. Man it just looks fabulous when opened. Some people dont like the modern look of the handle... its thinner than many of the launch family... but the indent for the finger makes it fit perfectly in the hand. This makes the whole knife incredibly functional and comfy to use. CPM154 Is a great all round steel.... keeps a decent edge and tough enough for EDC. Ive used this knife for about 6 months and its seen plenty of work.... only had to touch up sharpen the blade once... its pretty easy to sharpen with a medium grit (I use steel with my sharpening system to smooth off the rough). The launch series are some of the very best knives you can pick up for around $100. Theyre build well in the USA (no play in my knife anywhere), solid performers, and rival some knives costing 2x more. The launch 7 may not appeal to everyone with its futuristic look.... but give it a try first, it really is a great great choice...... with 31 states now allowing autos without restrictions, the future looks bright for the Kershaw Launch series Another win for kershaw
I wasn’t crazy about the design at first, the 5 is my favorite, but the action and functionality of the 7 are impeccable. Great knife. Should also note that the gray has a purple hue to it, which I love, but some may not.
I've had this knife about one month and used it enough to get a good 'feel' for the durability and quality. Good-looking knife and comes with an extremely sharp edge. It holds it well too. I honed it about 2-3 minutes on 4000 grit just to touch up the edge from running into a steel staple and then stropped it back into razor sharpness in no time. It is lightweight and the blade length is quite adequate for EDC use. The pocket clip is strong and won't slip out on its own. I got this on sale and it is worth every cent. A knife that should serve very well.
Kershaw knives made in the USA have been fantastic! I just got this knife in today and it is awesome. I have a few autos and this one looks like it could be my new favorite. It’s plenty sharp and the pocket clip works very well. The action is very good and it feels great in the hand. This is a good value. It’s lightweight and I love the construction. Grab one and you won’t be disappointed.
This knife is flawless. Everything about it rules! Why buy a Benchmade for $200+ when you can get this for $99?!
I've had this knife for a few months now and it is great. I don't go anywhere without it.
This is the best of the Launch series. It's got great ergonomics, it's lightweight, and the blade is surprisingly long. The automatic action is snappy, and there is zero blade play. The futuristic, angular look and feel of this knife remind me of the Zero Tolerance 0055, but this is a much more carryable knife than the ZT. If you live in California, get the Launch 4. If you live in a free state, though, get this one.
Great auto knife. Everything about this knife is quality. It feels great and performs as it should. Very happy with the fit and finish. The 154cm blade is very sharp out the box and it carries well.
This is a big knife, not too big, just about right to be honest but it's tipping the scales. The handle has a great amount of purchase for what ever you need to do with it and it feels pretty good in the hand even though it has such an interesting shape. The deployment is fast, whips right out and locks up every time with ease. The button weight is just right, easy enough to press but wont go off in your pocket due to the recessed location. The blad is sharp and light, the whole knife is pretty light as well. You wouldn't even knotice it was there if it weren't for the length that occasionally, if i it move to an agle, is noticeable sitting down in your pocket. The only complaint I have is the handle finish, it feels great however what ever they used too get it that color is chipping of just a tiny bit on one of the sharper edges where it come into contact with my pocket and leg. The color is actually a bit darker than in the pictures and has an almost lavender hue to it under the right light. I much prefer this to the boring grey I thought I was getting.
This is a quality knife. Lightweight, not to mention the finish and the action are flawless. Bladehq, you all have great service. I will definitely be ordering from you all again. Thanks!
I can't believe how much more I love this one. My Launch 5 was awesome, this one opens really strong and locks solid. The design is top of the line. This is my new EDC, putting my H&K away, this is Bad Ass!
I realize this knife is not legal in many states but if it's legal in your state and your looking for an automatic knife I highly highly recommend it. It comes pretty sharp awesome design the detent it strong and the ergonomics are great you get a lot better grip than what you would expect. My favorite automatic to date. I can't say anything about edge retention due to I've only had it 2 days but I really do love everything else about it. No negatives at this point. Thanks for another great knife bladehq!
I've had this knife for over 2 years now. Only thing that was a issue was the pocket clip keep coming loses. Even with lock tight it still happened. But all other things are still working just like new.
This is a very nice auto. It is slim, sleek, & very sharp out the box. I see more of these in my future collection's. It is a nice design.
This knife was impressive at first. The sleek design, smooth action, and sharp CPM154 blade far exceeded expectations. It was not until a few weeks later of daily carrying when I noticed some downfalls of this product. The pocket clip finish wore extremely quick. During light use, nearly half an inch of the tip was sheared off. The action became gummy, and would not fully seat the blade at full lock, allowing there to be a sharp point to stick out (in my case the rear pocket). Decent knife, but if you are looking for an EDC option, this is not for you.
I just received two of these blades. The quality is outstanding. But lets get real.... The blade opens so slow you can watch the blade move. I do not recommend this knife at all. I want the blade to open fast and open strong. This knife doesn't do that.
Here is the reason that I don't carry this. It came open in my pocket and I cut the dodo out of my pinkie. Could it have been operator error? Sure. But I can't say for sure. I carry the 15 much more than my 5s or 8. From a purely mechanical, F&F aspect, it's great.
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