IMPORTANT INFORMATION

About Your NEW Kershaw Automatic Knife

Cleaning & Oiling

Always keep your knife clean. Wipe away debris and, if needed, wash with a mild detergent and dry thoroughly. Do not let your knives sit in water. Due to the high carbon content of the quality steel in our blades, the blade may corrode if not properly cared for. To protect your knife, simply wipe a coating of Kershaw Knife Oil on the blade before storing it. We recommend using Kershaw Knife Oil.

Blade and Handle Coatings

The technologically advanced coatings on the blades and handles of some Kershaw knives are designed to add beauty to the products and to enhance specific performance features. Although Kershaw coatings are designed to stand up to continual knife use, in time, all coatings will show some wear. Scratches and other signs of wear should be expected and considered normal.

Adjusting Screws

Please use Torx bits (not an Allen wrench, which will strip the screws) to adjust screws on Kershaw knives. Most screws may be adjusted using either a T6 or T8 Torx bit, we recommend using the Kershaw TX-Tool. T6 fits pocketclip, handle, and safety-lock screws on current model knives. T8 fits the pivot screw. Some older models (prior to 2000) may require a T4. If screws on your knife are coming loose or you think the holes could be stripped, use thread locker (such as blue Loctite 243) and let it set for 24 hours before using your knife.

Sharpening

Your knife comes with FREE lifetime sharpening. Just send the knife into our Tualatin, Oregon facility, we’ll sharpen it and return it to you. You can also sharpen your knife with the Kershaw Ultra-Tek Sharpener or aftermarket sharpener that can sharpen between 20° and 22°. Follow the included instructions when using Kershaw’s Ultra-Tek Sharpener.

1. Hold the blade against the Ultra-Tek at the original sharpened angle of 18°–22°.
2. Beginning at the base of the blade and tip of the sharpener, pull the blade down and toward you across the top of the sharpener in a slight arc as shown in the illustration. Do the same thing across the bottom of the sharpener as shown. This sharpens the top of your blade.
3. Repeat this “over and under” motion approximately three to five times on each side to fully sharpen your knife.

WARNING!

Automatic knives are dangerous if not handled according to these instructions. Exercise extreme caution when carrying, opening, or using them. If the knife opens without proper handling and carrying, you could severely harm yourself, your clothing, or others.

Take these additional precautions with an automatic knife:

• Carry the knife in an empty pocket to ensure nothing in the pocket could accidentally depress the blade-release button.
• While carrying the knife, do not apply pressure (or cause pressure to be applied) to the blade-release button; the blade should only be released in preparation for use of the knife.
• If the knife is accidentally dropped, do not try to catch it; step away from it. The blade may auto deploy and cause injury if dropped. Damage to the knife abused by dropping is not covered under warranty.
• Do not “spine test” your automatic knife by hitting the spine of the open knife against a surface. This may damage the lockup mechanism and cause it to fail.

Correct Pocketclip Usage

For safety, the blade-release/lock button has a low profile. This helps keep the button from being accidentally pressed while in your pocket. Knife should be placed inside your pocket, snugged up against a seam. The pocketclip should be on the outside of your pocket as shown.

Pocketclip Carry Options

Your Kershaw automatic comes pre-drilled for left- or right-handed carry. Make sure pocketclip screws are tight for safe pocket carry. When moving the clip, we recommend using Blue Loctite or similar product to secure screws. Kershaw automatics use T6 Torx screws to mount the pocketclips.

CAUTION: Do not clip the knife to your belt. Carrying a pocketknife loose in your pocket is not recommended.

Opening a Kershaw Automatic

For right-handed use, hold knife vertically in one hand with your thumb against the blade-release/lock button. Maintaining a firm grip on the handle, and fingers clear of the blade’s path, push the button. For left-handed use, use your index finger instead of your thumb to press the blade-release/lock button.

Closing a Kershaw Automatic

Hold the knife handle in one hand. Press the blade-release/lock button on the handle and hold it down. With your other hand, hold the back of the blade (away from the edge) and guide the blade back into the handle. Keep your fingers out of the blade’s path as you guide the blade back into the handle. Take your finger off the button.

Additional Information Regarding Automatic Knives

If you need service for an automatic, be sure to include the required release form with your knife, in addition to a warranty request form. Visit our warranty page for additional information, to read our warranty, learn about replacement vouchers, counterfeits, and more.

LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY

NOTE: Do not loosen or tighten any handle screws, pivot screws, or take your Kershaw automatic knife apart. This will void your warranty on this knife. Other than moving the pocketclip and/or tightening the pocketclip screws, if the knife needs service, see Additional Information Regarding Automatic Knives.

Kershaw knives from Kai USA Ltd. carry a limited warranty for the lifetime of the original owner, except when stated otherwise. We guarantee our knives against manufacturing defects in material and construction and to perform as advertised when properly used and maintained. The Limited Lifetime Warranty is non-transferable and does not extend to normal signs of wear, rust, damage, or breakage due to improper use, improper maintenance, accidents, loss, or theft. This warranty is void on products that have been modified in any way. Any product we determine to be defective will be repaired or replaced solely at our discretion. To receive warranty repair or replacement, the owner must send the product to be evaluated by Kai USA Warranty Services in our Tualatin, Oregon headquarters. In addition to the provisions of this warranty, the owner may also have other rights that can vary by state. The Limited Lifetime Warranty does not apply to the TX Tool, Firestarter (1019), or Kershaw Knife Oil. No other warranties are implied or expressed other than what is specifically stated here. Kai USA Ltd. reserves the right to determine what constitutes normal wear, improper use/maintenance, and modification.

We reserve the right to make changes to this warranty at our discretion and without notice.

For warranty information, shipping tips, and the Warranty/Service Form required for warranty service, please visit our warranty and service webpage.

Blade replacement

If you accidentally break your Kershaw folder’s blade, we can replace it for $25. Blades that break due to a manufacturing defect will still be replaced under warranty, free of charge.

Parts replacement

Some replacement parts can be shipped to you. Please see our parts request webpage for shipping and warranty service information. Replacement parts are offered as a courtesy for small repairs. They are not for resale, and we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone exploiting this program.

Vouchers

There may be cases when your knife has been evaluated and is eligible for warranty service but is not able to be repaired or replaced. This can be true with discontinued models of which we no longer have stock. In such cases, at our discretion, we will offer a voucher for a replacement knife of equal or lesser value, as defined by the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). The voucher can only be used through the Kai USA Warranty Department and some exclusions apply. If you prefer to have your original knife returned instead of using the voucher, please call our warranty team toll-free: 1-800-325-2891. We will retain the knife for 30 days from the date the voucher is issued. If you do not call us to let us know by then, the knife will be recycled.

LIABILITY DISCLAIMER

Kershaw knives are intended and sold for legitimate everyday carry and/or sporting purposes only. The purchase, use, and ownership of knives are subject to a wide variety of federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Always comply with all laws and regulations in effect in your area. Due to the complexity and constantly changing nature of these laws and regulations, it is the responsibility of the buyer to investigate and comply with the laws and regulations that apply in his or her specific area. You, and not Kai USA Ltd., are solely responsible for any claims resulting from violation of these laws and/or regulations.

WARNING!

Knives are extremely sharp tools and should only be used or handled with the utmost care and caution. Any use other than cutting (such as prying or twisting) is considered misuse and abuse—and will void your warranty. Kershaw Knives/Kai USA Ltd. is not responsible for any injuries resulting from misuse or abuse of the product, including but not limited to injuries resulting from improper or incorrect use of pocket clips.

Do not use any Kershaw knife as a throwing knife (other than the Ion 1747BWX or Aethon 1748X throwing knives) or a stabbing device. Throwing knives and knives developed for stabbing have a distinctly different design and function. Kershaw knives are not intended for throwing or stabbing; they are designed for cutting purposes only.

We reserve the right to change shipping terms, specifications, materials, or discontinue products at any time, without notice.

Kershaw Products are covered by one or more pending and issued U.S. patents. Here is the list of past and present patents that we have utilized: 4,715,121; 4,741,106; 5,802,722; 5,815,927; 6,006,385; 6,397,476; 6,388,431; 6,412,130; 6,145,202; 6,223,372; 6,338,431; 6,378,214; 6,397,476; 6,427,334; 6,591,504; 7,086,158; 7,370,421; 7,395,599; 9,120,234; D303,748; D316,802; D317,390; D321,818; D329,185; D348,818; D351,328; D365,725; D366,605; D375,243; D392,131; D410,833; D437,197; D438,085; D450,228; D454,043; D454,768; D455,062; D467,783; D474,669; D479,104; D479,114; D484,770; D488,045; D565,918; D566,222; D569,212; D570,180; D572,542; D572,562; D575,614; D576,466.

If your Kershaw knife needs repair, please see information about the Limited Lifetime Warranty.