Kershaw 2022 Catalog Puts Non-Locking Knives in the Spotlight

Earlier this week Kershaw loosed their first salvo of 2022 models. This hefty new batch places a particular emphasis on non-locking knives, with five new ones on the way. The Starter Series is getting an infusion of three new models, and a trendy blade shape is making its way to the Launch lineup for the first time.

Federalist

The Federalist is something new for Kershaw: a premium, domestically manufactured non-locking knife. It has a 3.25 inch blade made from CPM-154 and full Micarta scales. It uses a double-detent style retention method instead of a backspring like a traditional slippie.

Parley

This one takes two knife world trends – modern traditionals and cleaver blades – and blends them together. The Parley has a 3.1-inch cleaver blade and smooth black Micarta scales complimenting its burly steel bolster. The blade steel is 17Cr7MoV, a 440A equivalent.

Iredale

The Iredale is one of two multi-blade slipjoints done up with the same materials as the Parley. This one has 2.6-inch clip main blade, a 2.2-inch wharnie on the same side, and a 1.6-inch backup/pen knife on the other end.

Allegory

Meanwhile, the Allegory has just two blades, both of the same length (3.1 inches) and both on the same side of the knife. The only difference between these two blades, really, is their shape: you get one clip, and one spear.

Esteem

Non-locking Knife Number Five in the Kershaw ’22 catalog, the Esteem is differentiated by its thoroughly modern design, with a style that falls more in line with standard locking Kershaw releases than its peers above. It’s also the only ’22 non-locking knife with a pocket clip, and its 2.5-inch drop point blade is made from 8Cr13MoV.

Launch 14

Kershaw’s illustrious Launch line gets its first cleaver-bladed model with the Launch 14 – and at 3.37 inches, it’s got the length for just about any EDC need. As with all the Launch knives, the 14 fires open with automatic button deployment.

Inception

There’s always at least one release in each new batch of Kershaws that reminds of the days when their simple, but smartly designed, black G-10-handled knives were the gold standard for budget folders. This year, the Inception is that knife. Of course, it’s packing a D2 blade steel instead of 8Cr13MoV, so performance will be on par with other modern budget knives, but it’s a dead ringer for those classics otherwise.

Lithium

A two-part handle made from G-10 and stainless steel is the Lithium’s defining visual characteristic, but it’s the 3.25-inch canted wharnie blade that will be doing all the work. It benefits from assisted opening, and its deep carry pocket clip is reversible.

Jetpack

The Jetpack is one of three knives joining Kershaw’s Starter series, a line of knives with very low, entry-level price points, this year. It has a stubby 2.75-inch American tanto blade that opens with an assisted flipper.

Flatbed

Another tanto-equipped Starter Series release, the Flatbed is a bit bigger than the Jetpack with a blade length of 3.125 inches, and has black G-10 scales to compliment its blackwash blade finish.

Salvage

2022 Starter Series knife number three, the Salvage does away with the tanto blades and black/grey color scheme of its buddies. Instead, it has a 2.95-inch modified wharncliffe blade and OD green GFN handle accents.

Lonerock RBK 2

Kershaw has upgraded their niche replaceable blade knife for 2022. The Lonerock revamp has revised ergonomics, and it also comes with what Kershaw is calling a “buddy handle,” that accepts the same (included) replacable blades as the main folder. Everything is carried neatly in a nylon belt pouch.

ATOM Series Grows

Although there are no new “standard” fixed blades amongst the 2022 models, Kershaw is adding two more knives to its ATOM series, which is a line of fixed blades with blunt edges but pierce-capable tips made entirely of a nylon/glass fiber composite. The Electron [pictured above] is an almost cute little dagger with a 2.4-inch “blade,” while the Interval looks like a kunai and has a 3.5-inch “blade.”