CS2 Knife Types Guide: Complete Guide to All Knife Models
Comprehensive guide covering all 19 CS2 knife types, their unique characteristics, animations, size comparisons, pattern variations, popularity rankings, and investment considerations. Understand what makes each knife model special and how to choose the right one for you.
Understanding CS2 Knives
Knives are the most coveted cosmetic items in Counter-Strike 2. As the only melee weapon, your knife is constantly visible during gameplay, making it a significant part of your loadout's identity. Unlike weapon skins that you might only see when using specific guns, your knife is always there. Counter-Strike's knife system has evolved significantly since the game's origins, as documented by Liquipedia's Cosmetics Portal.
CS2 currently features 19 distinct knife types, each with its own model, animations, and characteristics. All knives are purely cosmetic and provide no gameplay advantage. They come in various finishes (patterns), can have StatTrak variants (10% chance), and are subject to the same wear conditions as other skins (Factory New through Battle-Scarred). The Steam Community Market is the primary platform for buying and selling CS2 knives.
Knife drops were first introduced with the Arms Deal update in August 2013, as announced in Valve's official CS2 news. Since then, Valve has continually added new knife models, expanding the collection to the current 19 types. The rarity of knife drops (0.26%) makes them highly valuable, with some rare pattern combinations fetching thousands of dollars.
How Knife Drops Work
All knife types within a case have equal probability once a knife drops. The overall knife drop rate is 0.26% (roughly 1 in 385 cases). Not all cases contain the same knives—different cases have different knife pools. For complete probability math, see our Knife Odds Guide.
All 19 CS2 Knife Types
Below is a comprehensive overview of every knife type available in CS2, organized by their general popularity and market demand. Click each section for detailed information.
Karambit
The curved blade inspired by Southeast Asian martial arts weapons. Features a distinctive ring on the handle and the most iconic spinning animation in the game. The curved blade creates unique pattern displays, especially for Fade and Marble Fade finishes.
Butterfly Knife
The iconic balisong with its signature opening and closing animation. Features split handles that rotate around the blade. The fluid opening/closing motion is one of the most satisfying animations in CS2, making it perpetually popular.
M9 Bayonet
The large, clean-looking military bayonet with a distinctive serrated spine. Known for its substantial size and professional appearance. The blade's large surface area makes patterns highly visible and impressive.
Bayonet
The classic military bayonet, simpler than the M9 but still highly respected. Features a clean single-edge blade design. Often considered the "classic" CS knife as it was one of the original knife types.
Talon Knife
A curved blade similar to the Karambit but with a different grip style. Features a claw-like design with a comfortable-looking handle. Often seen as a "budget Karambit" alternative with its own unique appeal.
Skeleton Knife
A unique knife with a skeletonized blade featuring cutout sections. The lightweight design and distinctive look make it stand out. Popular for its unique aesthetic and lighter appearance.
Flip Knife
A classic folding knife with a satisfying flip-open animation. The compact design and smooth animation have made it a long-time favorite. Good balance between price and aesthetics.
Huntsman Knife
A large outdoor/hunting style knife with a distinctive curved blade. Known for its size and unique spin animation. The blade shape creates interesting pattern displays.
Bowie Knife
A large, intimidating knife with a classic Bowie design. Features a distinctive clip point blade and substantial size. Popular with players who prefer big, imposing knives.
Ursus Knife
A tactical knife with a partially serrated blade and aggressive design. Features a unique grip angle and solid build appearance. Named after the bear genus for its "bear claw" style.
Stiletto Knife
A slender, elegant switchblade-style knife with a long, narrow blade. Features a smooth opening animation and classic Italian stiletto design. Popular for its sleek, refined appearance.
Falchion Knife
A medieval-inspired knife with a distinctive curved blade and unique fidget animation. Features a spring-loaded design with a satisfying "clack" sound. The quirky animation has a dedicated fanbase.
Classic Knife
The original Counter-Strike 1.6 knife brought to the Source engine and CS2. A nostalgic choice for veteran players. Simple design that pays homage to CS history.
Paracord Knife
A survival-style knife with a paracord-wrapped handle. Features a rugged, outdoor utility design. The distinctive handle wrap adds texture and character.
Survival Knife
A practical, no-frills survival knife with a partially serrated blade. Features a straightforward design focused on utility over flashiness. Affordable entry point for knife ownership.
Nomad Knife
A Middle Eastern-inspired knife with a curved blade. Features an exotic design aesthetic. The unique cultural inspiration sets it apart from Western knife designs.
Shadow Daggers
The only dual-wield knife option in CS2. Two matched daggers with a unique animation set. Divisive in the community—some love the dual-wield, others find it awkward.
Gut Knife
A hunting-style knife with a gut hook on the spine. Features a practical design that some find less aesthetically pleasing. Often the most affordable knife option, making it a popular first knife.
Navaja Knife
A Spanish folding knife with a distinctive lock-back design. Features a compact form factor and unique regional style. The smallest knife in CS2, which some players find less impactful visually.
Popularity Tier Rankings
Knife popularity affects pricing significantly. Higher-tier knives command premium prices due to consistent demand. These rankings are based on market data, community polls, and trading volume.
S-Tier: Elite Popularity
Karambit, Butterfly Knife, M9 Bayonet
The holy trinity of CS2 knives. These consistently command the highest prices and have the strongest demand. Their iconic animations and designs make them perpetually desirable. Karambits and Butterfly Knives especially hold value well across all finishes.
A-Tier: High Demand
Bayonet, Talon Knife, Skeleton Knife, Flip Knife
Strong choices with reliable demand. The Bayonet is a classic, the Talon offers Karambit-like appeal at lower prices, the Skeleton has unique visual appeal, and the Flip Knife is a beloved all-rounder. These maintain value reasonably well.
B-Tier: Solid Choices
Huntsman, Bowie, Ursus, Stiletto, Falchion, Classic Knife
Respectable knives with dedicated fanbases. Not as universally popular as higher tiers, but each has unique characteristics that appeal to certain players. Typically more affordable with good value for money.
C-Tier: Budget-Friendly
Paracord, Survival, Nomad, Shadow Daggers, Gut Knife, Navaja
The most affordable knives. Great for players who want any knife without spending top dollar. The Gut Knife especially is often the cheapest way to own a knife skin. Lower resale value but excellent entry points.
Tier Rankings Are Subjective
These rankings reflect general market sentiment, not objective quality. Personal preference matters most. A C-tier knife you love is worth more to your enjoyment than an S-tier knife you feel nothing about. Buy what you like, not what's "popular."
Animation Styles
Knife animations are a major factor in popularity. The inspect animation (F key by default) is what you'll see most often. Here's how different knife types animate:
Spinning
Karambit
Spins around finger through ring
Flip Open/Close
Butterfly, Flip Knife
Handle manipulation
Twirl/Rotate
Huntsman, M9, Bayonet
Blade rotation in hand
Fidget
Falchion
Spring-loaded click animation
Switchblade
Stiletto, Navaja
Spring-open mechanism
Dual Wield
Shadow Daggers
Two-knife coordination
The Karambit's spin and Butterfly Knife's flip are considered the most visually impressive, contributing heavily to their S-tier status. Many players report these animations being "addictive" to watch during gameplay.
Size Comparison
Knife size affects visual presence in-game. Larger knives are more visible and display patterns more prominently. Here's a rough size comparison:
| Size Category | Knife Types | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Large | M9 Bayonet, Bowie, Huntsman | Most visible, best pattern display |
| Medium-Large | Bayonet, Ursus, Skeleton | Good visibility, solid presence |
| Medium | Butterfly, Flip, Talon, Falchion, Classic, Stiletto, Paracord, Survival, Nomad | Balanced size, standard visibility |
| Small | Karambit, Gut Knife | Compact but distinctive shapes |
| Smallest | Navaja, Shadow Daggers (individual) | Most compact profiles |
Interestingly, the Karambit's small size hasn't hurt its popularity—the unique curved shape and ring make it instantly recognizable despite being compact.
Pattern Variations by Knife
Some finishes look dramatically different on different knife types. Here's how popular patterns interact with knife shapes:
Doppler (Including Ruby, Sapphire, Black Pearl, Emerald)
Dopplers display differently based on blade shape. Karambits show the curved gradient beautifully, while M9 Bayonets display large, dramatic color transitions. Butterfly Knives show the pattern on both sides during the flip animation. Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald variants are extremely rare (Gem Dopplers) and command massive premiums on all knife types.
Fade
Fade patterns are measured by percentage (how much of the blade shows the full purple-to-yellow gradient). Karambits and Bayonets display fade percentages clearly. Butterfly Knife Fade is one of the most sought-after combinations in CS2. High-percentage fades (95%+) command significant premiums.
Marble Fade (Including Fire & Ice)
The Fire & Ice pattern (no yellow, just red and blue) is highly valuable. Karambits display this pattern spectacularly due to the curved blade. Bayonets and M9s also show clear Fire & Ice patterns. Pattern index matters significantly for value.
Case Hardened (Blue Gems)
Blue gem patterns (high blue percentage) are rare and valuable on all knives. Karambits with blue gem patterns can sell for tens of thousands of dollars. Pattern index determines blue percentage and placement. Learn more in our Skin Patterns Guide.
Tiger Tooth, Damascus Steel, Lore
These patterns are consistent across knife types with no significant variation. Value primarily determined by knife type, wear, and StatTrak status rather than pattern index.
Value Factors
What determines a knife's market value? Here are the key factors in order of importance:
1. Knife Type
The single biggest factor. A Gut Knife Doppler will always be worth less than a Karambit Doppler, all else being equal. S-tier knives (Karambit, Butterfly, M9) command 50-200% premiums over C-tier equivalents.
2. Finish/Pattern
High-tier finishes like Doppler, Fade, Marble Fade, and Lore are worth more than common finishes like Safari Mesh or Forest DDPAT. Within pattern-dependent finishes, specific patterns (Blue Gems, Fire & Ice, high Fade %) add significant value.
3. Wear Condition
Factory New commands premiums over lower wear, but the gap varies by finish. Fade and Doppler are less affected by wear visually, so FN vs MW gaps are smaller. Battle-Scarred versions of some finishes can be 70-80% cheaper than FN. See our Float Values Guide for details.
4. StatTrak
StatTrak knives are worth approximately 20-50% more than non-StatTrak equivalents. The premium is higher for popular knife/finish combinations. Only 10% of knife drops are StatTrak.
5. Pattern Index (For Applicable Finishes)
Case Hardened, Fade percentage, Doppler phase, and Marble Fade Fire & Ice are all pattern-dependent. The right pattern index can multiply a knife's value by 10x or more for ultra-rare combinations.
Which Cases Drop Which Knives
Not all knives drop from all cases. Different cases have different knife pools. Here's a breakdown:
| Knife Pool | Available Knives | Example Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Pool | Karambit, M9 Bayonet, Bayonet, Flip, Gut, Huntsman, Butterfly, Falchion, Bowie, Shadow Daggers | Gamma, Chroma, Spectrum Cases |
| Horizon Pool | Talon, Stiletto, Ursus, Navaja + Classic knives | Horizon, Danger Zone Cases |
| Fracture Pool | Skeleton, Paracord, Survival, Nomad, Classic Knife | Fracture, Snakebite Cases |
Check our Active Drop Pool Tracker to see which cases are currently dropping and which knife pools they contain.
How to Choose a Knife
Choosing your knife should be based on personal preference, budget, and intended use. Here's a framework:
If You Prioritize Animation
Choose: Karambit or Butterfly Knife. These have the most engaging inspect animations. If budget is a concern, the Flip Knife offers good animation at lower prices.
If You Prioritize Size/Visibility
Choose: M9 Bayonet or Bowie Knife. Large blades display patterns prominently and have strong visual presence. The M9 specifically combines size with premium appeal.
If You're Budget-Conscious
Choose: Gut Knife or Navaja. These are consistently the cheapest knives across all finishes. A Gut Knife Doppler costs a fraction of a Karambit Doppler.
If You Want Classic CS Vibes
Choose: Classic Knife or Bayonet. The Classic Knife is literally the CS 1.6 knife. The Bayonet was one of the original knife types and feels quintessentially Counter-Strike.
If You Want Something Unique
Choose: Shadow Daggers or Skeleton Knife. Daggers are the only dual-wield option. The Skeleton Knife's cutout design is instantly recognizable and different.
Investment Considerations
Some players view knives as investments. While skin investing carries risks, here are some patterns observed in the market:
Strong Investment Candidates
- S-tier knives with desirable finishes: Karambit Doppler, Butterfly Fade, M9 Marble Fade tend to hold value well due to consistent demand
- Rare pattern combinations: Blue gem Case Hardened, Fire & Ice Marble Fade, Ruby/Sapphire Dopplers are scarce and appreciate over time
- StatTrak versions: Limited supply (10% of drops) on already-rare items
Riskier Investment Choices
- C-tier knives: Lower demand means harder resale and smaller profit margins
- Common finishes: Safari Mesh, Forest DDPAT have slow market movement
- High-wear items: Unless specifically sought after (some BS patterns), these depreciate
For market research and price tracking, sites like CSGOStash provide comprehensive databases of all knife finishes and their market values. Third-party market platforms such as CSGOFloat allow you to inspect specific float values and patterns before purchasing.
Investment Warning
CS2 skin prices are volatile. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Only invest money you can afford to lose. Game updates, market changes, or declining player counts can affect values. This is not financial advice. For help with gambling-related issues, visit BeGambleAware.org. See our Investment Strategies Guide for more context.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many knife types are there in CS2?
CS2 currently has 19 distinct knife types: Karambit, M9 Bayonet, Butterfly Knife, Bayonet, Huntsman Knife, Flip Knife, Gut Knife, Falchion Knife, Bowie Knife, Shadow Daggers, Navaja Knife, Stiletto Knife, Talon Knife, Ursus Knife, Classic Knife, Paracord Knife, Survival Knife, Nomad Knife, and Skeleton Knife.
Which CS2 knife is the most popular?
The Karambit and Butterfly Knife are consistently the most popular due to their iconic animations. The Karambit's spinning animation and the Butterfly Knife's flip motion are considered the most visually satisfying in the game. M9 Bayonet rounds out the top 3 for its clean design and size.
Do all knives have the same drop rate?
Yes, all knife types within a case have equal probability once a knife drops. The overall knife drop rate is 0.26% (approximately 1 in 385 cases). Once you hit that 0.26%, each knife type in the case's pool has an equal chance.
Which knife is the cheapest?
The Gut Knife is typically the cheapest knife type across all finishes, followed closely by the Navaja Knife. A Gut Knife Safari Mesh Battle-Scarred is often the most affordable way to own any knife skin.
Can knives have StatTrak?
Yes, knives can have StatTrak variants that track kills. StatTrak knives have a 10% chance on any knife drop, making them relatively rare. StatTrak knives typically cost 20-50% more than non-StatTrak versions.
Which knife has the best animation?
This is subjective, but community consensus puts the Karambit (spin) and Butterfly Knife (flip open/close) at the top. The Falchion Knife's unique fidget animation and the Stiletto's switchblade action also have dedicated fans.
Should I open cases or buy a knife directly?
Buying directly is almost always more cost-effective. With a 0.26% drop rate and negative expected value on cases, the math strongly favors direct purchase. Use our Case ROI Calculator to see the numbers.
Do knives affect gameplay?
No, knives are purely cosmetic. All knife types do the same damage, have the same reach, and function identically in gameplay. The only difference is visual appearance and animations.
Related CS2 Guides & Tools
Explore more CS2 educational content:
- Knife Odds Guide - Detailed probability math for knife drops
- Gloves Guide - Compare knives to gloves as cosmetic investments
- Skin Patterns Guide - Deep dive into Case Hardened, Doppler phases, Fade percentages
- Float Values Explained - How wear affects knife value
- Case ROI Calculator - Calculate expected value before opening cases
- Investment Strategies Guide - Broader context on skin investing
- Market Fee Calculator - Understand costs when buying/selling knives
- All CS2 Tools - Browse our complete toolkit
Final Perspective:
"Your knife is the one skin you see constantly, regardless of what weapon you're using. It's visible during eco rounds, while running, while waiting for the round to start. Given this visibility, investing in a knife you genuinely enjoy looking at makes sense. Don't get caught up in what's 'popular' or 'best for investment'—get the knife that makes you happy when you hit that inspect key. A C-tier knife you love beats an S-tier knife you bought because Reddit said it was good."
Important Disclaimer
This guide is for educational purposes only. Opening cases involves financial risk with negative expected value. Only spend money you can afford to lose. For help with gambling-related issues, visit BeGambleAware.org.
Last updated: January 2026