The Heist (2037) and Covalent (2042) are the same knife in every structural respect — identical D2 tool steel, identical 3.2-inch drop point blade, flat grind, DuraLock crossbar lock, black GFN handle, manual thumb stud deployment, and carry configuration. The sole difference is the blade finish. The Heist runs a stonewash finish that leaves the D2 steel visible in textured form, developing a natural working patina over time. The Covalent runs a blackwash finish — a black coating applied over a stonewash base that adds visual depth and a functional corrosion barrier across the blade face. Steel performance, lock quality, and carry specs are identical on both. The choice is finish preference: bare steel and patina vs two-tone depth and coating.

The DuraLock GFN drop point family now spans four models across two blade lengths and three finishes. The Monitor (2041) is the most compact at 3.0 inches with black-oxide finish and manual deployment. The Heist (2037) and Covalent (2042) both run 3.2 inches with manual deployment — Heist in stonewash, Covalent in blackwash. The Layup (2047) is the largest at 3.4 inches with stonewash finish and SpeedSafe assisted opening. All four share D2 steel and DuraLock crossbar lock. The Heist is the mid-size stonewash manual option — for buyers who want the 3.2-inch format without the blackwash coating of the Covalent.

Stonewash D2 is bare steel in textured form — no chemical conversion coating, no PVD layer. The stonewash texture hides fine surface scratches effectively and diffuses light to reduce visual signature, but it does not provide the corrosion barrier that black-oxide or blackwash coatings do. D2 is semi-stainless and can develop surface rust if left wet or stored in humid conditions without care. Wipe the blade dry after moisture exposure and apply a thin coat of blade oil before extended storage. Over time, bare stonewash D2 develops a natural patina as the steel oxidizes uniformly across the surface — many buyers actively prefer this over a coating that wears unevenly at the edge bevel.

DuraLock is Kershaw's crossbar locking system. A hardened steel crossbar passes laterally through the handle and drops into a notch in the blade tang when the blade reaches full open, locking it positively in place across a wide contact area. To close, push the crossbar from either side with your thumb — it clears the tang notch and the blade folds freely. The crossbar provides a wider, more stable lockup geometry than a standard Liner Lock and eliminates accidental lock disengagement from lateral blade pressure. The same hardware runs across the Heist, Monitor, Covalent, Layup, and full-size Iridium series.

D2 is a high-carbon, high-chromium tool steel — semi-stainless by composition but tool steel by performance. Its high carbide content gives it significantly better edge retention and wear resistance than the 8Cr13MoV common at this price tier. The trade-off is modest susceptibility to surface rust if left wet. Unlike the coated variants in the DuraLock GFN family, the Heist's stonewash finish leaves the blade face as bare D2 — maintenance discipline matters slightly more here than on a coated model. Wipe dry after moisture exposure and oil before storage.

Glass-filled nylon (GFN) is a reinforced polymer that is lighter than aluminum, provides inherent grip texture from the molded surface without requiring aggressive machining, and does not become slippery when wet the way smooth anodized aluminum can. For a compact carry knife where weight and grip in varied conditions matter, GFN is often the more practical choice. The trade-off is that GFN does not have the premium scratch resistance and solid feel of aluminum — it is a working handle material optimized for function and value over aesthetics.

The Heist 2037 is a manual folding knife with thumb stud deployment — not assisted-opening, automatic, or OTF — which places it in the broadest legal carry category under most state laws. A 3.2-inch blade clears the carry limit in the majority of US jurisdictions, though some cities and municipalities set lower thresholds. Knifeworks cannot provide legal advice. Check your local laws at akti.org (American Knife and Tool Institute) before carrying, or call us at 888-225-9775.

The Kershaw Heist 2037 is manufactured in China under Kershaw's offshore production program. Kershaw designs, engineers, and quality-controls all models from their Tualatin, Oregon headquarters, and the Heist carries the same Kershaw Lifetime Warranty as their USA-made production pieces. Buyers who prefer domestic manufacturing should consider the Bel Air series (6105), which is USA made in Tualatin, Oregon.