CRKT's Xolotl

    The Xolotl was waiting for me at my doorstep.  This Xolotl (pronounced show-low-tl) wasn't the Aztec god of fire and lightning, but an out-the-front knife designed by Michael "Rod" Rodriguez. 

The Look of Eagles
PTS and TBI cause him wears a tinted prosthetic lens

    The Xolotl is an American made OTF from Columbia River Knife and Tool in collaboration with former Green Beret Michael Rodriguez.  It is part of CRKT's Forged by War program, which allows veterans to utilize their experience and knowledge to design the tools needed by men and women in combat.  CRKT donates a portion of the profits to a charity designated by the designer. 

    Michael Rodriguez's charity is the Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation.  That is, in my opinion, pretty darn icy!  Find out more at: Https://www.gwotmemorialfoundation.org/

CRKT's Xolotl

    I unzipped the knife case and was impressed.  "The knife was inspired by classic World War II commando knives."  Michael told the press. I can see the sleek, dual-edged deadliness inherent in Fairbairn Sykes daggers reflected in his creation.  

    The Xolotl is a cooperative effort between CRKT and Hogue knives.  The 5.25-inch-long handle has been described as a coffin-style grip, but I see a distinctive shield look. Both ends of the handle are drawn to a point, suggesting an impact tool.  The lower half of the handle is gracefully tapered to provide additional grip.  Twenty grooves, suggestive of ribs, are cut into the aluminum handle to enhance tactile feedback.  The left and right reversible clip straddles several of them and resembles a skeleton's sternum.  One of Xolotl's honors is to guide the souls of the dead to Mictlán, the Aztec land of the dead, so they don't get lost.  That is an appropriate theme for anyone in military service.

The reverse side of Xolotl

    OTF knives typically don't have a safety.  The control slide is stiff enough to prevent the knife from opening in your pocket.  The Xolotl is no exception, but I found the pressure applied to the control slide to be mild and smooth.  Pressing forward on the control slide releases its 3.5-inch double-edged dagger.  The blade is 0.13 inches thick at the centerline.  The knife opens in a blur and locks securely in place.

    The blade is ground from MagnaCut steel, one of the hot, sexy steels available to makers.  MagnaCut steel is the brainchild of Dr. Larrin Thomas.  Steel properties are a balancing act.  Improving one property can result in compromise else where.  It is impossible to have a perfect steel.  MagnaCut offers a great combination of desired properties.  It has become the high-end, desired steel for many knife makers and collectors.

An all season knife

    The double-edged dagger is coated with a black titanium nitride finish.  TiN is a durable, inert coating with low light reflectance.  The polished razor edges reflect light like dual ribbons of lightning.  That’s very appropriate for the god of fire and lightning.

    The knife weighs 3.2 ounces and sits flat in your pocket.  The clip allows for deep carry and is reversible for right or left carry.  These are features I like; the deep carry provides security against loss and you can customized the Xolotl for your needs.

    Most modern OTFs carry the blade in a carriage or cradle that slides back and forth in the knife handle.  This allows the blade to jump free of the carriage if it strikes a hard surface during opening.  This is a safety feature.  The Xolotl is no exception.  If this should happen, it is a simple matter to pull the blade all the way forward and release it.  The blade resets, and your OTF functions as it did previously.

    OTF daggers are primarily a last-resort fighting knife.  But we can still cut stuff with them.  I cut open an MRE, a chicken chunks dinner,  The Xolotl worked fine.  The double-edged razor-sharp blade cuts paracord, paper and cloth without trouble, as you would expect from CRKT knives.  I like the way the knife feels in my hand.  There is a comfortable coolness to the handle.  With the blade extended, the balance was just behind the control slide.  I prefer the knife's weight in my hand as it makes the blade lively.   

CRKT's Xolotl is a solid knife.  You'll enjoy owning it!

    Let's be honest, shall we?  Most of us will carry this knife just in case.  Fortunately, we'll never use it for its intended purpose, but don't discount it.  If your path in life takes you in and out of danger, you'd carry this knife without a qualm.  I know I would.

    I'm not going to carve tinder for a fire with it, but you could.  Where I found the Xolotl shining was with gloved hands.  Gloves, while providing protection, strip you of needed dexterity.  Open any knife other than an OTF, and you must keep your fingers off the blade's spine to allow the knife to open.  No matter if it is a stud or an opening hole, it requires a degree of dexterity, freedom of movement to reposition your grip, and proper hand position.  Add heavy winter or work gloves, and opening even a button-operated automatic can be problematic.  Just wrap your hand around the knife's body, and your thumb controls opening and closing.  Perfect, right?

It shines in gloved hands!

    Not quite.  Closing any OTF knife causes the blade to pull whatever is on the blade into the handle.  It might be mustard from the sandwich you made; it might be blood the blade picked up in use.  Eventually, gunk will build up and affect the internal mechanism. 

    CRKT recommends a simple basic care program for OTF knives.  It focuses on cleaning the blade so it doesn't trap debris in the mechanism.  Keep it dry and use a light coat of thin oil.  CRKT recommends KPL Ultralight oil for your Xolotl.  Use a can of compressed air (low moisture content) to blow out the knife and remove pocket lint or excess oil.  In some cases, disassembling the knife can void your warranty.

    Retired Sgt. First Class Michael Rodriguez has the look of eagles.  He knows conflict, knows the aftermath, knows what it takes to survive both.  The OTF Xolotl is one of his tools for remembering the sacrifices made by the men and women of our military for our freedom.  I'm glad to own a Xolotl.  You can get your own at CRKT for $325 at https://www.crkt.com/knife/xolotl-automatic-out-the-front-knife.