Knives in Counter-Strike 2 rarely contribute to competitive play unless you’re gutsy enough to camp in the lower tunnels of Dust 2 and stab an enemy. If that’s the case, you need the best knife skins in CS2 to add spice to your highlights.

When it comes to CS2 skins, knives can be worth quite a bit, depending on various factors. Rarity, seed, and exterior conditions can significantly impact a knife’s popularity.

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Since there are many finishes of a single knife model in CS2, prices for each can vary. Float can also affect its value, with lower float values indicating a better condition. 

Popular and in high-demand knives can fetch pretty high prices in trading and marketplace platforms. While the most expensive CS2 knife skins are highly sought after, not all of them are popular among CS2 players. Some skins are priced higher due to the rarity of the seeds and patterns, not their visual appeal. 

Our list of the best CS2 knife skins is based on popularity on CS2 forums and community demand. Naturally, some of these knives have seed variants that are so rare they are worth their weight in gold. Here’s our list of the best CS2 knife skins.

10. Best knife skins in CS2: Skeleton Knife | Fade

CS2 skeleton knife
Screenshot by Fariha Bhatti/ONE Esports

Skeleton Fade is one of the most popular knives in CS2 for its gradient tips and shiny blades. It was introduced in 2019 as part of the Fracture Case, with Covert rarity.

The estimated drop chance for a Covert skin like the Fade is meager, precisely 0.26%, which makes it a fairly rare piece of skin. With its orange, pink, and purple hues, Skeleton Fade is a valuable knife to own in CS2. 

Available Skeleton Knives in Fade finish can range between $1,386 and $1,499 on the Steam market.

9. Best knife skins in CS2: Navaja Knife | Tiger Tooth 

CS2 tiger knife
Screenshot by Fariha Bhatti/ONE Esports

Navaja is one of the most popular knife skins in CS2, but its appearance isn’t the main factor behind its fame. When it comes to fancy cuts at cheap prices, Navaja takes the cake.

Released in 2019, Navaja has become one of the best affordable knives new collectors can get. There are plenty of variants for Navaja, but Tiger Tooth stands out for its flashy color and rough handle. 

On the Steam market, Navaja Knives in Tiger Tooth finish can cost between $124.24 and $195.

8. Best knife skins in CS2: Shadow Daggers | Gamma Doppler

CS2 daggers knife
Screenshot by Fariha Bhatti/ONE Esports

Shadow Dagger is one of the most unique CS2 knife styles, but of course, the Gamma Doppler finish takes its appeal to the next level. For a decent price, you get dual-wielding blades in fun colors.

While you could grab any finish of Shadow Daggers and still impress your teammates, Gamma Doppler stands out for its green color that changes intensity based on the phases.

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Even though it’s a relatively new release compared to other classic knives, Shadow Daggers is one of the best knife skins in CS2. For this reason, the Gamma Doppler dual daggers can be purchased between $181.22 and $333.

7. Best knife skins in CS2: Ursus Knife | Doppler 

CS2 ursus knife
Screenshot by Fariha Bhatti/ONE Esports

Ursus Doppler is from the Covert family in CS2, which means it’s a relatively rare item. For this same reason, Ursus is a highly coveted knife, especially the Doppler finish.

Of course, it comes in different phases of Doppler, but collectors often go for Black Pearl, the dark purple knife. While it has a simple cut, Ursus Doppler is on the pricier side compared to other knives. 

Ursus Knives in Doppler finish can range in price between $412 and $$1,150.

6. Best knife skins in CS2: Falchion Knife | Marble Fade

CS2 falchion knife
Screenshot by Fariha Bhatti/ONE Esports

Falchion Marble Fade is perfect for players who like a pop of color in their inventory. With its rainbow palette that extends towards the skin handle, It is as colorful as a knife can get in CS2.

It’s not a small knife by any means, but it has a unique cut, making it one of the popular CS2 knives. 

On the Steam market, Falchion Knives in Marble Fade can cost between $267 and $402.

5. Best knife skins in CS2: Stilleto Knife | Doppler 

CS2 stilleto knife
Screenshot by Fariha Bhatti/ONE Esports

As evident from the name, the Stiletto Knife has a blade sharper than a high heel, and CS2 players love it. Its slim, scintillating, and tiny shape has made it one of the most sought-after knives in CS2.

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While all Doppler phases of Stilleto are eye-catching, players often pine for the Ruby Stilleto, a shiny red blade. 

Stilleto Knives in Doppler finish can range between $582 and $$1,150.

4. Best knife skins in CS2: Talon | Doppler

CS2 talon knife
Screenshot by Fariha Bhatti/ONE Esports

Talon is another one of the smaller knives in CS2, but it is tenfold special for its karambit-style slender blade. Equipped with sharp ridges on the blade and complete with a guard that extends to accommodate the index finger, Talon is a fan-favorite in CS2.

It has many finishes, but Doppler Sapphire remains the most popular for its icy purple and pink hues. Since this particular variant is scarce, Talon Dopper Sapphire has become a pipe dream of many CS2 players. 

Talon knife skins in Doppler finish can range between $920 and $$1,444.

3. Best knife skins in CS2: Butterfly Knife | Fade

CS2 butterfly knife
Screenshot by Fariha Bhatti/ONE Esports

Butterfly knives are the holy grail in CS2. Combine this style with a rare Fade finish, and you have a knife worth thousands of dollars.

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This scissor-style blade is popular for its eye-catching animation and unique grip, setting it apart from other knives. Fade’s red and gold hues only accentuate its beauty, adding a couple of hundred dollars to an already expensive knife. 

Butterfly Knives in Fade finish can range between $2,890 and $3,100 on the Steam market.

2. Best knife skins in CS2: M9 Bayonet | Gamma Doppler 

CS2 M9 knife
Screenshot by Fariha Bhatti/ONE Esports

The M9 Bayonet in Gamma Doppler Emerald finish has a fanbase of its own, partly because of its large size or popularity among pro players.

Thanks to the sizeable blade, the M9 Bayonet looks excellent in all finishes. However, the Gamma Doppler Emerald is particularly famous for its sharp green color, which shines under sunlight. 

M9 Bayonet Knives in Gamma Doppler finish can range between $1,618 and $1,835.

1. Best knife skins in CS2: Karambit | Case Hardened 

CS2 karambit knife
Screenshot by Fariha Bhatti/ONE Esports

Karambit | Case Hardened, with its exquisite craftsmanship and rarity, is the ultimate holy grail in CS2. With its reverse-slanted blade and shiny exterior, this knife has earned the top spot on the most-wanted knife list of countless CS2 players. 

Some particular finishes of Karambit Case Hardened are entirely submerged in shades of blue and light purple, with no gold whatsoever, making it the rarest knife in CS2.

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For this exact reason, Karambit Case Hardened can cost as much as a house, at least some of its finishes, like Seed 387. However, Karambit Case Hardened isn’t merely famous for its exuberant price tag. It’s actually a pretty nice skin that adds a pop to your CS2 inventory.  

Available Karambit knives in Case Hardened finish can range between $1,017 and $2,465.

This wraps up our list of best knife skins in CS2 as of 2024.

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