CRKT Tighe Rade CRK-5290 – Brian Tighe Button Lock Flipper
The CRKT Tighe Rade CRK-5290 is a Brian Tighe designed everyday carry folding knife built around a 3.38" satin-finished 8Cr13MoV drop point blade and a contoured 6061-T6 aluminum handle. It deploys fast from a flipper tab or ambidextrous dual thumb studs and locks up on a push-button lock that is just as quick to disengage one-handed.
Designer Brian Tighe of Ridgeville, Ontario built the Tighe Rade around a compound hollow dual grind. The tip is ground and reinforced for stronger cutting applications, while the section closer to the handle is shaped for finer cutting tasks and wire stripping. Stylized, textured grooves are machined into the aluminum scales, giving the CRKT Tighe Rade CRK-5290 grip in hand and a profile that looks more at home on a fighter jet than in a pocket.
Key Features
- 3.38" 8Cr13MoV drop point blade — satin finish, hollow dual grind, plain edge
- Push-button lock, easy to engage and disengage with one hand
- Dual deployment: flipper tab plus ambidextrous thumb studs
- Contoured, textured 6061-T6 aluminum handle over a 2Cr13MoV liner
- Reinforced tip for hard cutting, finer forward edge for detail work and wire stripping
- Single-position tip-up pocket clip
- Designed by Brian Tighe
Specifications
- Overall length (open): 7.88"
- Closed length: 4.53"
- Blade length: 3.38"
- Blade thickness: 0.12"
- Blade steel: 8Cr13MoV, 58–60 HRC
- Blade finish: Satin
- Grind: Hollow dual grind
- Blade style: Drop point, plain edge
- Handle material: 6061-T6 aluminum
- Liner: 2Cr13MoV
- Lock type: Button lock
- Carry system: 1-position pocket clip (tip up)
- Weight: 4.5 oz
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the blade length of the CRKT Tighe Rade CRK-5290?
The CRKT Tighe Rade CRK-5290 has a 3.38" blade and measures 7.88" overall when open, 4.53" closed. It weighs 4.5 oz.
Is 8Cr13MoV good knife steel?
8Cr13MoV is a Chinese stainless steel widely used in value-priced EDC folders. It sharpens easily, resists corrosion well, and holds a usable working edge. On the CRKT Tighe Rade CRK-5290 it is run at 58–60 HRC with a hollow dual grind, which is a sensible balance of edge retention and easy field touch-ups.
How does the button lock on the CRKT Tighe Rade CRK-5290 work?
A spring-loaded plunger drops into a detent in the blade tang once the blade swings open, locking it in place. To close the CRKT Tighe Rade CRK-5290, press and hold the button on the handle and pivot the blade shut — your fingers stay clear of the edge the whole time, which is one reason button locks are popular for one-handed use.
How do you open the CRKT Tighe Rade CRK-5290?
The CRKT Tighe Rade CRK-5290 gives you two options: pull the flipper tab with your index finger, or push the ambidextrous dual thumb studs. Both work with either hand.
How do you sharpen the CRKT Tighe Rade CRK-5290?
Because the CRKT Tighe Rade CRK-5290 uses a compound dual grind, sharpen it in two passes: follow the existing bevel on the reinforced tip section, then on the finer forward section. A guided sharpener or ceramic rods make it easy to keep the angle consistent; 8Cr13MoV responds quickly to light stropping between full sharpenings.
Is the CRKT Tighe Rade CRK-5290 a good EDC knife?
Yes. At 4.5 oz with a 3.38" blade and a tip-up pocket clip, the CRKT Tighe Rade CRK-5290 rides well in a front pocket, opens fast with either hand, and covers everyday cutting from packages and cordage to wire stripping. The aluminum handle keeps it durable without adding excess weight.
Where can I buy the CRKT Tighe Rade CRK-5290?
You can buy the CRKT Tighe Rade CRK-5290 at Going Gear, an authorized CRKT dealer. Every knife ships brand new, factory sharp, and backed by the full manufacturer warranty.
