Kershaw Launch 13 is an automatic knife that stands out with its modern design, lightweight skeletal construction and excellent ergonomics. Tool steel The knife has a blade with a length of 89 mm, made of hard 154CM tool steel, which is subjected to hardening to a hardness of 58-60 HRC, which is optimal for EDC knives. 154CM stainless steel has an increased carbon content with the addition of molybdenum, which is why it is often described as an improved version of the popular 440C steel. American steel is valued for its corrosion and wear resistance (high impact strength), long-term sharpness and relative ease of sharpening. Utility blade The geometric blade with a wharncliffe profile was finished with the classic satin technique (polishing). Thanks to the use of a sharp point, flat grind and a straight cutting edge, the knife easily penetrates and easily cuts. The thickness of the blade at its widest point is 3 mm, which is a compromise between the durability and functionality of the knife in everyday work. The knife has many design accents that effectively catch the eye, e.g. aggressive cladding profile, cutouts in the handle (reducing the weight of the structure) and an attractive triangular pin (pivot). The milled part of the spine that allows the finger to rest is covered with a black DLC (Diamond Like Caron) carbon coating, which effectively breaks the silver color of the blade. Automatic unfolding The most important element of the automatic knife is its extremely comfortable and easy unfolding system . Unlike models with an assisted blade, in an automatic knife, unfolding the blade requires only pressing the button, which is responsible for releasing the lock and activating the internal spring. Folding the blade requires pressing the button again and manually retracting the blade. Such functionality makes the "automatics" very popular among soldiers, employees of uniformed services and a rapidly growing group of EDC enthusiasts. The release button is embedded in a milled notch, so it does not protrude above the handle, which in turn effectively prevents accidental unfolding of the blade. When using the automatic knife, it is recommended to exercise extreme caution and prudence. Futuristic handle The knife has ergonomic linings made of anodized aircraft aluminum 6061-T6 forming a monolithic whole with the backspacer. Thanks to precise 3D machining, the handle has a striking style and excellent ergonomics. An element that attracts attention are the aggressively profiled cladding with side cutouts. The holes made had a significant impact on the low weight of the knife, which is only 68 g. The black anodized coating is resistant to fading, scratching and abrasion, which guarantees the attractive appearance of the knife for a long time. The discreet carrying of the knife in the pocket is possible thanks to the high-mounted clip with the possibility of transferring it to the other side. Basic information Blade profile Warncliff Steel hardness [HRC] 58-60 Blade lock type auto-lock Knife type folding Opening type button Steel type stainless - 154CM Additional data Wearable clip Is Cladding material metal - anodized aluminum Corrosion resistance high Dulling resistance All right Cut type flat Opening support yes, spring Application (destination) EDC Dimensions Total length [mm] 203 Blade length [mm] 89 Folded length [mm] 114 Blade thickness [mm] 3 weight [g] 68