• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Loadout Room

The Loadout Room

Professional Gear Reviews

Hardcore Gear and Adventure

Menu
  • Shooting
        • Pistol
        • Pistol Accessories
        • Rifle
        • Rifle Accessories
        • Shotgun
        • Machine Guns
        • Air Guns
        • Ammunition
        • Optics and Sights
        • Weapon Lights
        • Tips & How-To
        • Concealed Carry
        • Holsters
        • Suppressors
        • Precision Rifle Shooting
        • Firearms Training
        • skorpFull-Auto Fun — Shooting the full-Auto vz. 61 Škorpion
        • p320-full-leftSIG Sauer M17/M18/P320 Pistol Just Can’t Seem to Escape Safety Controversies
        • TISAS_10100520_1__98179Tisas 1911A1 U.S. Army Review: Best Budget .45 ACP WW2 1911 Clone?
        • Photoroom_20250531_143432Pyramyd AIR’s Springfield Hellcat Pro CO2 BB Pistol Is the Ultimate Dry-Fire Trainer
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • Hunting in TexasThese 5 ATV Dealers Will Get You Ready For Hunting Season in Texas
        • ac65a540-2ef3-4598-8d11-afdf53f46e94.__CR0,0,970,600_PT0_SX970_V1___Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X: A Thoroughly Bright Review
        • Bluetti 2 handsfree power backpackBluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers
        • The Gallagator 10 day pack on the shoreline next to a hiking trail.Day Pack – Mystery Ranch Gallagator 10 – The Best Yet?
    • Close
  • Men’s Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • EDC
      • Eyewear
      • Watches
      • Electronics & Technology
      • Downtime
      • Mens Clothing & Accessories
      • Manly Skills
      • Style & Grooming
      • Gentleman Drinks
      • Crate Club
        • Tom and Blake Sell TeaHow Sasquatch Tea Is Revitalizing a Stagnant Tea Market With Veterans and Outdoorsmen in Mind
        • redcat-blackwidow-articleheaderWar of Words: In the Ultra-Competitive Defense Tech Industry, Storytelling is a Secret Weapon
        • Photoroom_20250525_074933Juggernaut Tactical Frame Review: The Best Upgrade for Your 365
        • craft holstersCraft Holsters Makarov Tuckable IWB Holster Report
    • Close
  • News
  • Video Demo
  • Buying Guides
  • Shop
  • Advertise
Knives & Tools

First Look | Kershaw Launch 7

May 8, 2017 by Erik Meisner Leave a Comment

First Look | Kershaw Launch 7

Once I started writing for The Loadout Room over 2 years ago, I quickly realized how big a part of our culture EDC knives are. My first product review just happened to be a ZT 0350 knife and since then I’ve covered many additional folding knives as well a fixed blades. New for 2017 is a product from Kershaw Knives that I was first introduced to at Shot Show this winter. The Kershaw Launch 7 Auto. Kershaw Knives was originally founded in 1974 when Pete Kershaw decided to leave Gerber to form his own cutlery company. Early manufacturing was done primarily in Japan with it’s US based manufacturing opening in 1997 in Oregon.

The Launch 7 is one of Kershaw’s US built automatic EDC pocket knives. Because it is an automatic knife, the Launch 7 will only be available through select knife dealers. You can thank the confusing federal and state laws regarding automatic knives for that. Owning several assisted and non assisted knives, the Launch 7 is my first automatic knife. And the speed at which the 3.75″ blade opens is very impressive. Just a touch of the button and it’s there, ready for use. That same button is used to release the safety when folding the knife.

First Look | Kershaw Launch 7
Push button opening

Forged from CPM 154 steel, this Tim Galyean design retains a long, lean profile. CPM 154 offers improved toughness, grindability, and polishability as well as providing excellent corrosion resistance and edge retention. Initially, the subdued look of the Kershaw Launch 7 is what attracted me. The blade features a black DLC finish with a matching back spacer, hardware and pocket clip. Contrasting the black blade are gray anodized aluminum handles. Producing a stealthy, aerospace industrial look. Machined into both sides of the aluminum handles are threaded holes allowing the user to mount the steel pocket clip on either side.

Fitting comfortably into my hand is the thoughtfully sculpted and tapered handle design. With a pronounced index finger notch and machined scalloping detail, the aluminum handle makes the Launch 7 feel very secure. At only 3.2 ounces, the Kershaw Launch 7 is fairly lean considering it’s overall length of 8.6″. Making this knife a pleasure to carry as an EDC option. Pulling this knife out of pocket and popping the blade open is sure to garner some attention. So be aware of your surrounding when playing with it. Because you’ll find yourself randomly deploying the blade to admire it’s speed and function.

First Look | Kershaw Launch 7

Kershaw Launch 7 Specs courtesy of kershaw.kaiusaltd.com

  • Made in the USA
  • Tim Galyean design
  • Integrated backspacer
  • Push button open
  • Push button lock release
  • Reversible pocketclip, (left/right)
  • Steel: CPM154, DLC coating
  • Handle: Anodized aluminum
  • Blade length: 3.75 in. (9.5 cm)
  • Closed length: 5 in. (12.5 cm)
  • Open length: 8.6 in. (22 cm)
  • Weight: 3.2 oz. (91 g)
  • MSRP $159.99 Dealer Only

Kershaw stands behind their products with a Limited Lifetime Warranty against manufacturing defects. Additionally, if you need to send a knife back for warranty work, Kershaw offers a complimentary sharpening while at the factory. Finally, should you ever break a blade on a Kershaw folding knife they will replace it for a measly ten bucks. So if you are looking for a well built American made automatic, and it’s legal to own in your state, take a look at the Kershaw Launch 7.

First Look | Kershaw Launch 7

Share This

About the Author

Erik Meisner served in Attack Company, 2nd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment as a rifle team leader with deployments to the Middle East, Central America and Asia. He's a licensed pilot, SCUBA diver and enjoys Alpine skiing, shooting, Overland camping, boating, sea kayaking, traveling and golf. Growing up in a military family, Erik had the pleasure to live and ski all over North America and Europe. Now residing in beautiful Northern Michigan with his wife and 2 sons they continue to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.

See All Erik Meisner Articles

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

About Erik Meisner

served in Attack Company, 2nd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment as a rifle team leader with deployments to the Middle East, Central America and Asia. He's a licensed pilot, SCUBA diver and enjoys Alpine skiing, shooting, Overland camping, boating, sea kayaking, traveling and golf. Growing up in a military family, Erik had the pleasure to live and ski all over North America and Europe. Now residing in beautiful Northern Michigan with his wife and 2 sons they continue to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible.

Primary Sidebar

Most Read

  • Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
    Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
  • Breek Arms Sledgehammer: The AR-15 Charging Handle That Gas Can’t Touch
    Breek Arms Sledgehammer: The AR-15 Charging Handle That Gas Can’t Touch
  • Bluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers
    Bluetti Handsfree 2 Review: The Ultimate Power Backpack for Off-Grid Adventurers
  • The Biggest Little Roundgun: The 3-Inch Kimber K6s
    The Biggest Little Roundgun: The 3-Inch Kimber K6s
  • Pyramyd AIR’s Springfield Hellcat Pro CO2 BB Pistol Is the Ultimate Dry-Fire Trainer
    Pyramyd AIR’s Springfield Hellcat Pro CO2 BB Pistol Is the Ultimate Dry-Fire Trainer

Find Us on Facebook

Recent Comments

  • Winston Smiths on Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
  • Jared Mize on The Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife: A Commando Blade That Changed Special Forces Forever
  • GomeznSA on MAC-10: The Wild History of America’s Most Iconic (and Overrated) Submachine Gun

Latest From SOFREP

News

Evening Brief: American Veterans Wounded in Gaza, China and Russia Snub Iran

Veteran Culture

A Former Navy SEAL’s Top 10 Tips on Transitioning From Military to Civilian Life

Body Armor

Why Every American Should Own a Plate Carrier (And Plates)

Editorial Cartoon

SOFREP Sunday Cartoon: From the Bund to the Boroughs

Military Content Group

© Copyright 2025 Military Content Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers
 

Loading Comments...