Knives in CS2 are very expensive (that remains true even after the Trade-ups update). We're talking hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars for a digital blade that does the exact same damage as the free, default version. And yet everyone wants one.

That's because in CS2, a knife isn't just a weapon; it's your status symbol.

But with 21 knife types in CS2 right now (including the default knives) knowing which one suits you can be overwhelming. So if you've been wondering about getting a knife but can't decide which one, you're in the right place.

We'll break down all CS2 & CS:GO knives, what makes each of them unique, how to actually get one, and by the end, you'll know how to pick the perfect one for your budget.

CS2 Knives at a Glance

All Counter-Strike Knives Timeline: From CS:GO to CS2

As in most games, holding the knife allows the player to move faster, which is most helpful at the beginning of the round.

In addition, they're fast and lethal in close-range combat – capable of killing in one hit from behind and often performed to humiliate opponents.

Since the early eSports days, the knife-only rounds have helped decide the sides on maps, boosting the knife's popularity. That's why its history goes back to the game's first iterations.

1. Default Knife

• Release Date: August 21, 2012

With the introduction of Counter-Strike Beta to the public, the game only featured the Default Knife without any skins. In CS:GO, the default knives were updated, and nowadays they have different designs for the CT and T sides, available to everyone.

The CS 1.6 knife model later became the base for the CS:GO Classic Knife, which we'll discuss later in this article.

2. Karambit

• Price Range: $380 - $1.500.000
• Release Date: August 14, 2013

In August 2013, the "Arms Deal Update" introduced the first knife skins: Karambit, Bayonet, M9 Bayonet, Flip Knife, and Gut Knife.

Being one of the first knives in the game, Karambit quickly became one of people's favorites, known for its curved shape. Interestingly, the Karambit's tiger-claw design is not just for show; it's used in real Southeast Asian martial arts like Silat.

Some Karambit skins, such as Karambit | Case Hardened Blue Gem or Karambit | Gamma Doppler, have been sold for tens of thousands of dollars, placing them among the most expensive knives in the game.

3. Bayonet

• Price Range: $115 - $3,500
• Release Date: August 14, 2013

The Bayonet in CS2 is inspired by a real-world combat knife originally designed to be attached to the muzzle of a rifle. The straight-edged design reflects traditional military utility. Its realism and simple design are some of the reasons why many people like it.

Some Bayonet variants are quite high in value, such as Bayonet | Doppler Ruby (Factory New), which has a price of up to $3,500 now (the price dropped because of the Trade-Ups Update).

4. M9 Bayonet

• Release Date: August 14, 2013
• Price Range: $380 - $30,000

A bulkier version of the Bayonet knife is the M9 Bayonet, based on a real Smith & Wesson combat knife design and attachable to the M16 rifle in real life. The additional sawback spine gives the knife a brutal look, favored by many players.

The M9 has a wide range of skins and is considered one of the most special knives in CS2, with some M9 Bayonets like the Doppler Ruby being in the top 10 of the rarest knife skins, valued at several thousand dollars.

5. Flip Knife

• Release Date: August 14, 2013
• Price Range: $100 - $1,500

Another knife from the original five is the Flip Knife, one of the game's oldest cosmetic knives.

It resembles a tactical folding knife with a curved blade and a distinctive spine, and its in-game model mimics real-world survival or utility knives.

With its great look, the Flip Knife is a more budget-friendly option for the players, compared to Karambit or M9 Bayonet – though it's actually one of the rarer drops from cases, which keeps its price higher than you'd expect for a "budget" knife. Nevertheless, you can find it in a price range of $150-$1,500

6. Gut Knife

• Release Date: August 14, 2013
• Price Range: $43 - $650

The last of the original five knives released in the "Arms Deal" update is the Gut Knife.

Its most recognizable feature is its signature hooked blade – a design element from real-life hunting knives used for skinning. This distinctive design has created mixed opinions in the community, with some players loving its authentic look while others find it too bulky.

Fun detail: it's the only knife in the game with "CSGO 2013" engraved right on the blade, a nod to the year it launched.

The Gut Knife is considered an affordable option in the game, making it popular among newbies.

7. Huntsman Knife

• Release Date: May 1, 2014
• Price Range: $51 - $7,000

In May 2014, Valve released the Huntsman Knife – a tactical, menacing knife modeled after an actual hunting MTECH USA XTREME MX-8054 knife used in combat and survival.

The players love it for its intimidating appearance and heavy, meaningful slashes. The Huntsman Knife's price varies differently, depending on skin, float value, and rarity.

8. Butterfly Knife

• Release Date: July 1, 2014
• Price Range: $420 - $15,000+

One of the most stunning knives in the game, the Butterfly Knife, was brought in "Operation Breakout."

Its entirely unique animations set it apart, featuring stylish flipping motions that mimic real knife tricks. With CS2's improved visuals and lighting, the Butterfly Knife's spinning animations look even more fluid and satisfying – further increasing its popularity.

Being one of the players' favorites, it is also considered one of the most valuable knife skins, having several variants in the top 10 rarity rankings, such as Butterfly Knife | Doppler Sapphire.

Of course, not everyone has that kind of budget – if you're interested in more affordable Butterfly options, check out our guide to find the cheapest Butterfly knives.

9. Falchion Knife

• Release Date: May 26, 2015
• Price Range: $55 - $10,000

In 2015, the Falchion Knife was added with the "Operation Bloodhound" update and resembles the European falchion – a curved, single-edged blade used in medieval times, which later was adapted into a modern tactical folding knife design.

One of its unique characteristics is the custom draw animations, including a finger-flick open, a spin, and the balancing inspect animation.

But despite its cool animations, some players dislike its chunky and slightly awkward shape. Others love it for its unique vibe and lower price point.

Variants like Falchion Safari Mesh land toward the cheaper end of the market and may be found for as little as $80, while skins like Falchion Knife | Crimson Web can go up to thousands of dollars.

10. Shadow Daggers

• Release Date: September 17, 2015
• Price Range: $37 - $1,000

Introduced in 2015, Shadow Daggers are the cheapest knife skin in CS2.

They stand out from all other knives in this list with their controversial dual-knife design, as each dagger is held in one hand, giving them a visually distinct style.

While the CS2 community often mocks them for their "weird" stabbing animations and less intimidating look, many players still appreciate Shadow Daggers for their uniqueness.

If you want to stand out, Shadow Daggers are very affordable, in fact one of the cheapest knives in CS2, costing between $40 and $1,000.

11. Bowie Knife

• Release Date: February 17, 2016
• Price Range: $46- $6,300

"Operation Wildfire" in 2016 introduced the game's biggest knife, the Bowie Knife.

Named after 19th-century frontiersman Jim Bowie, this Bowie-style hunting knife features a long, wide blade and thick spine, making it look like a serious combat tool.

Interestingly, the CS2 version of the knife is more similar to the Aitor Oso Negro, a Spanish military intelligence knife, which translates to Black Bear. Small musical detail: musician David Bowie actually took his stage name from this exact style of knife.

If you like a big and aggressive-looking blade and don't care about flashy animations, the Bowie knife offers excellent value for money.

12. Ursus Knife

• Release Date: August 2, 2018
• Price Range: $50 - $3,000

The "A New Horizon" update in 2018 brought us several different knives, one of them being the Ursus Knife.

Ursus, meaning "bear" in Latin, is modeled after modern fixed-blade tactical knives designed for survival and military use. It features a distinct Tanto-style blade with a compact but aggressive look and distinctive over-the-top flip animations. Interestingly, Valve's own Bowie Knife design was already nicknamed the "Bear Knife" by the community years before Ursus arrived – so this one's basically its official successor.

This is one of the most budget-friendly options for people who want a tactical-style knife.

13. Navaja Knife

• Release Date: August 2, 2018
• Price Range: $37 - $2,000

Alongside the Ursus Knife, Valve introduced the Navaja Knife, which was inspired by the Spanish Navaja. It is considered a small, elegant folding knife traditionally used for utility and self-protection, and historically used in street fights, particularly in Andalusian culture.

While it lacks the menacing presence of larger blades, the Navaja stands out for being thin and affordable, helping low-budget players show off with its elegance.

14. Stiletto Knife

• Release Date: August 2, 2018
• Price Range: $115 - $3,000

Next, we have the Stiletto Knife, which also closely resembles knives used in street fights.

The Stiletto originated in Italy during the late Middle Ages as a fixed-blade dagger with a thin, tapering point designed for thrusting rather than cutting.

The Stiletto Knife features a snappy spring-action opening, where the player presses a button, and the blade shoots out instantly. In the inspection animation, the player smoothly rotates the knife, showing off its sleek, compact design with effortless control.

In the CS2 community, the Stiletto Knife is considered a mid-to-high-tier knife, with prices varying by condition and skin.

15. Talon Knife

• Release Date: August 2, 2018
• Price Range: $190 - $50,000

The last knife from the "New Horizon" update is the Talon Knife, which became exponentially popular among Counter-Strike players, displaying great spinning animations.

Heavily inspired by the Karambit, the animations include twirling in the hand in a rapid, fluid motion, often around the finger ring, showing off the claw-shaped blade from multiple angles.

Despite its popularity, the Talon Knife is less commonly unboxed than some other knives, making specific skin variants (especially the Dopplers or Fades) quite rare and highly wanted by collectors.

Skins like the Talon Knife | Doppler Sapphire may be worth thousands of dollars, but it's definitely worth owning one.

16. Classic Knife

• Release Date: October 18, 2019
• Price Range: $65 - $1,300

The 20th anniversary of Counter-Strike in 2019 brought us one of the rarest knives in the game, the Classic Knife, available only in the CS20 case.

As mentioned earlier, the knife model was taken from the original CS 1.6, which was designed after the military Tanto blade with a black handle. Nostalgia is one of the reasons players are eager to own one.

17. Nomad Knife

• Release Date: December 3, 2019
• Price Range: $71 - $10,000

The "Operation Shattered Web" introduced four knives in November of 2019, one of which is the Nomad Knife, based on a modern Strider B46 knife, typically used in survival or combat missions. The real-world Strider B46 has a wooden handle – CS2's version swapped it for carbon fiber for a more futuristic look.

The hand-to-hand pass gives the animation a realistic, heavy-duty appearance – it looks and feels like a practical knife in the field.

18. Survival Knife

• Release Date: December 3, 2019
• Price Range: $40 - $2,000

The Survival Knife is perhaps the most realistic in the game, as it is based on modern military survival knives that emphasize functionality in hostile environments.

It features a partially serrated blade on the spine, a straight cutting edge, and a full tang, giving it a solid, rugged look and an angular handle with grooves to hold securely.

The Survival Knife is prominent for having both budget-friendly and expensive variants, making it a solid pick for any type of inventory.

19. Paracord Knife

• Release Date: December 3, 2019
• Price Range: $41 - $1,500

Another knife from the "Operation Shattered Web" update is the Paracord Knife.

It takes inspiration from minimalist military field knives, usually carried as spares or strapped on gear in real survival kits.

The knife's design plays well with other loadouts, especially with certain gloves or agent skins, enhancing their overall in-game appearance.

20. Skeleton Knife

• Release Date: December 3, 2019
• Price Range: $109 - $20,000

The Skeleton Knife, also known as the throwing knife, is a simple, lightweight fixed-blade knife inspired by real skeletonized survival knives used by military operators and outdoor enthusiasts. Built without standard handle scales, it features a full-tang metal design and a signature finger ring.

In CS2, the Skeleton Knife is particularly famous for its animations, with a visually impressive draw where the knife flips around the fingers, while the inspection animation shows off even more impressive spinning stunts.

The Skeleton Knife is quite popular and ranges widely in price depending on the skin, condition, and rarity.

21. Kukri Knife

• Release Date: February 7, 2024
• Price Range: $40 - $1,000

The CS2 Kukri Knife is the newest addition to the game's arsenal, introduced in the 2024 "A Call to Arms" update, and later made available through the Kilowatt Case.

It's based on the real Nepali kukri, a forward-curved chopping blade still carried today by the Nepalese Army and the Gurkha regiments. But its roots go back much further – historians trace the kukri's shape to the ancient Greek kopis, a curved sword that likely reached the region with Alexander the Great's campaigns in the 4th century BC.

In-game, the Kukri stands out with its bold, weighty silhouette – a noticeably different profile from anything else on this list. Since it's the newest knife type, it's also currently the easiest to find in fresh cases if you want something the whole lobby hasn't seen a hundred times already.

How to Get a CS2 Knife

Knowing what each knife looks like is one thing – actually landing one is another. Here's how it usually goes:

• Case opening. Knives sit in the highest rarity tier (Covert / Special), so pulling one straight from a case is rare – realistically well under 1% per case.
• Marketplace/ trading. If you want a specific knife and skin rather than a random shot, buying it directly is the guaranteed route – you just pay market price instead of gambling for it. Third-party marketplaces usually have lower prices for the same items, so it's worth checking out.
• Trade-ups. Since the Trade-Ups Update shook up the economy, converting lower-tier skins into knives is also on the table for players who'd rather grind than gamble in one go.

Wrap-up

Now that you're familiar with all CS2 knives, it's up to you to decide which one fits your style.

Twenty-one knives, one decision: which one's yours.

Maybe it's the Karambit because it's the classic flex. Maybe it's a Shadow Dagger because you don't need to spend a fortune to feel dangerous. Either way, staring at a list won't get one in your inventory.

Some look best in combos with gloves, while others shine all on their own.

FAQ