Looking to brush up on CS2 knife types? There are 20 of them, not counting the default knives, so it’s easy to get confused, especially if you’re only at the outset of your Counter-Strike adventure. From in-game tips and insights to prices and real-life equivalents, we’ll show you every knife in the game. Let’s get started!

Contents: click to view the list and jump to a specific knife type

• Bayonet
• M9 Bayonet
• Bowie Knife
• Butterfly Knife
• Classic Knife
• Default Knife
• Falchion Knife
• Flip Knife
• Gut Knife
• Huntsman Knife
• Karambit
• Kukri Knife
• Navaja Knife
• Nomad Knife
• Paracord Knife
• Shadow Daggers
• Skeleton Knife
• Stiletto Knife
• Survival Knife
• Talon Knife
• Ursus Knife

Bayonet

In the Game

Simple and efficient, The Bayonet is a classic in every sense: it was one of the first knives to appear in CS:GO, with the 2013 Arms Deal update. It has a basic draw animation and if minimalism is your thing, you’ll love the Bayonet. 

Prices: from $180 to over $1200; rare Doppler and Gamma Doppler skins cost up to $7000 (We’ll give you a separate price for these skins, since they’re usually outliers in terms of market value. Find out more about them here: Doppler Skins in CS2 and here: Gamma Doppler Skins in CS2.)

In Real Life

The real-life bayonet knife has a long history, too: according to most sources, bayonet-like knives first appeared in the 17th century. They were designed to be fixed onto the muzzle of a rifle or musket, effectively turning the rifle into a spear for stabbing enemies in close combat. Bayonet-equipped rifles were the primary weapon during the trench warfare of WWI. Sadly, you can’t fit your bayonet onto your M4A4 in CS2, though!

Bayonet knives are still in use today in the military, though they’re primarily utility knives that are only sometimes attached to rifles. 

M9 Bayonet

In the Game

It only makes sense to talk about the M9 Bayonet next, doesn’t it? Thanks to its serrated spine, it has a more aggressive, modern look than the standard Bayonet. It too was added to the game with the Arms Deal update, and it has the same animation as the Bayonet, but its value is considerably higher. 

Prices: from $350 to over $1500; it’s one of the most expensive Dopplers (up to $20k) and Gamma Dopplers (up to $15k for Emerald)

In Real Life

The real-life M9 bayonet is a modern version of the classic bayonet. In fact, it’s the model that’s currently in use in the U.S. military and in the armies of several other countries. In the U.S., it primarily serves as an attachment to the standard issue M16 rifle. 

Bowie Knife

In the Game

The Bowie Knife made it into the game in 2016 with Operation Wildfire. It’s a cool-looking and very affordable knife. Fun fact: it’s widely believed that the odds of getting a Blue Gem Case Hardened Bowie Knife are higher than with other knife types. This would be due to the way in which Valve resized the skin to fit the Bowie. 

Prices: from $90 to $750; Dopplers and Gamma Dopplers: max. $2800

In Real Life

Named after James Bowie, a 19th century American pioneer, the Bowie knife is symbolic of the American frontier. In movies and pop culture, it’s the knife of frontiersmen and adventurers. And speaking of pop culture, David Bowie took his stage name from James Bowie and his knife. Awesomeness all ‘round. 

Butterfly Knife

In the Game

Here it is: one of the most sought-after knives in Counter-Strike. It has a total of five different animations (two draw animations and three inspect), so if you run into a player who’s lucky enough to have one of these, expect them to constantly flick it around. 

Prices: from $500 to over $2000; Doppler, Gamma Doppler, and Case Hardened: up to $20k, which makes them some of the most expensive skins in CS2

In Real Life

The real-life butterfly knife is more commonly known as a balisong: a folding pocket knife from the Philippines. It was originally more of a utility knife, even used for shaving (!), but nowadays, it’s considered a weapon, and it’s actually illegal in some countries. This is because it’s easy to conceal—all you have to do is fold the handles around the blade. Balisongs can have different looks and styles, with various blade shapes. The design in CS was based on the custom-made Gargoyle V2 GG-018 Hybrid Scimitar by Terry Guinn. 

Oh, and if you think the in-game animations are cool, check out the real-life balisong tricks that pros can do (and don’t try them at home). 

Classic Knife

In the Game

The Classic Knife made it into the game in 2019, which feels kind of late for such a straightforward design. That said, it wasn’t completely new: it actually just puts a new spin on the standard knife from Counter Strike 1.6. It has a simple draw animation and a rare version of the inspect animation, in which the character tosses the knife into the air. 

Prices: from $110 to over $600; collector’s items with rare patterns (Crimson Web, Case Hardened) can cost over $4k

In Real Life

While the Classic Knife can seem rather generic, the design is based on the custom-made Badlands Bowie knife by Mick Strider. 

Default Knife

Falchion Knife

In the Game

Back to more interesting knives! The Falchion joined CS:GO’s roster of knives in 2015 (and originally had a minor buff that went unnoticed by Valve for two years: it deployed a tiny bit faster than other knives). It has two inspect animations, one of which is much rarer—it shows the player balancing the knife vertically on their hand. 

Prices: from $90 to over $300; rare Doppler and Gamma Doppler skins: up to $2500

In Real Life

The word “falchion” (which is not pronounced how you think it is—check it out here) comes from the 14th century and means a type of sword with a slightly curved, wide blade. Take a look at the blade of the CS Falchion, and you’ll see the resemblance. The actual design of the Falchion Knife is based on the Cold Steel Espada XL knife, though. 

Flip Knife

In the Game

If you like knives that flip open, you’ll like the Flip Knife. Good thing you don’t have to fold it shut again in the game, though, since the blade is longer than the handle. Yeah, I know—now that you noticed it, you can’t unsee it. 

Prices: from $130 to over $500; rare Dopplers and Gamma Dopplers can cost up to $3500

In Real Life

You’ll be glad to know that the real-life inspiration behind the Flip Knife not only flips, but also folds. It’s the Benchmade 860 Bedlam, made in the USA by the Benchmade Knife Company. 

Gut Knife

In the Game

Ah, the Gut Knife. Chances are, you either think it’s ridiculous or pretty cool—few players remain indifferent. Love it or hate it, it’s been in the game since 2013, and it’s here to stay.

Prices: from $80 to over $150–$200; Dopplers and Gamma Dopplers: up to $1500

In Real Life

The gut knife pretty much does what it says: it’s a hunting knife with a hook at the end of the blade, which is used for gutting game. The design in Counter-Strike was based directly on the Buck 193 Alpha Hunter knife by Buck Knives. 

Huntsman Knife

In the Game

If a Bowie feels too plain and a Butterfly too flashy, the Huntsman Knife has you covered. It has an interesting draw animation, with the knife spinning in your hand for a moment. 

Prices: from $95 to over $400; Dopplers and Gamma Dopplers: up to $3200

In Real Life

Again, IRL this is not a specific knife type—the Huntsman pretty much represents a generic (but cool-looking) hunting/tactical knife. The design is based on an MTech USA Xtreme model MX-8054, which you can find on Amazon… for under $40. I guess it’s not a Gamma Doppler (or even a Safari Mesh). 

Karambit

In the Game

In terms of how badly people want to have one, the Karambit is up there with the Butterfly Knife. Less flashy, more dangerous-looking, the Karambit is also among the most expensive knives in the game. In fact, a Karambit | Case Hardened Blue Gem (Pattern 387) skin is currently the most valuable skin in CS2 (and one of the most expensive game cosmetic items in history), at an estimated $1.5 million. 

Fun fact: when your character holds a Karambit in the game, the grip is correct from the first-person perspective, but reversed when viewed by other players. 

Prices: from $400 to over $1300; rare Doppler, Gamma Doppler, Fade, or Case Hardened: $20k (sometimes even more)

In Real Life

The real-life karambit originates from Indonesia, where it was initially used as a farming tool and only later turned into a weapon. It’s also used in Indonesian and Filipino martial arts—check out this video to see it in action. By the way, the finger ring at the end of the handle is there for a reason: it prevents the user from dropping the knife.

Kukri Knife

In the Game

The newest addition to the Counter-Strike knife family, the Kukri Knife was added to the game with the first CS2 update, A Call to Arms. It received mixed reactions, like most things in Counter-Strike, but it definitely has its fan base already.

Prices: from $300 to over $1500

In Real Life

The real kukri—or, to use its correct name and spelling, khukuri—is actually a short sword, not a knife. Still, Valve doesn’t seem quite ready to equip CS2 players with swords, so we can see why it got scaled down. Anyway, the khukuri comes from the Indian subcontinent, and it’s the national weapon of Nepal, where it is used as a utility, hunting, combat, and ceremonial knife. (A knife of all trades, if you will.) 

Fun fact: according to centuries-old customs, the khukuri should draw blood before being sheathed. (Not unlike the knives in certain sci-fi franchises… Looking at you, Dune.) Good luck trying to make that happen in CS2!

Navaja Knife

In the Game

Like the Gut Knife, this one could have you mocked by other players—the CS player base is a tough crowd to please. But if you like it, go for it: there’s nothing wrong with a good Navaja Knife, especially since it’s one of the most affordable options in the game. 

Prices: from $70 to $300; rare Dopplers: up to $1300

In Real Life

The real navaja is a folding knife that originates from southern Spain and dates back to the 17th century. Like the butterfly knife in the Philippines, the navaja was originally a shaving and utility knife—in fact, it looks a lot like a skinny straight razor. The in-game design was supposedly based on the Gypsy Jack folding knife by Emerson Knives. 

Nomad Knife

In the Game

Resembling a classic outdoor locking knife, the Nomad is a straightforward but decent-looking option. Although the animations for the Nomad Knife are pretty basic, there is one rare animation that has the player accidentally cut themselves: 

Prices: from $130 to $1200; rare Fade or Case Hardened patterns: up to $9000

In Real Life

The Nomad is a generic lock-blade knife, which is a folding knife with a mechanism that holds the blade in position both when open and closed. The design is based on a Strider B46 knife, made by Mick Strider—he’s also the creator of the Badlands Bowie knife, which had inspired the CS2 Classic Knife design (above). 

Paracord Knife

In the Game

The Paracord is one of the newer CS2 knife types—it debuted in 2019 with the Operation Shattered Web update. There are a couple of rare animations for this knife, though in all honesty, they’re not that impressive. Still, it’s a simple, modern-looking knife that looks really cool in some skins (Slaughter, anyone?). 

Prices: from $130 to around $900; over $1500 for rare Fade patterns

In Real Life

The Paracord is inspired by real survival knives, which often have a paracord-wrapped handle. It makes for slip-proof grip, but can also be unraveled in an emergency and boom: you have a length of rope. The in-game design was loosely based on the Seal Tactical knives by Linton Cutlery. 

Shadow Daggers

Prices: from $70 to around $250; rare Dopper, Gamma Doppler, Fade, and Case Hardened: up to $1700

In Real Life

Even though they look like something out of a fantasy JRPG, Shadow Daggers do exist in real life: they’re known as push daggers and are typically used for self-defense (fittingly enough—you’ll be defending your choices pretty often if you equip these in the game). Since the handle is perpendicular to the blade, it’s almost impossible to disarm someone who’s using a push dagger. They have a surprisingly long history and played an important role in the trench warfare of WWI, where the extremely close-quarters combat called for short melee weapons that didn’t require swinging. The in-game design was based on the Gerber Uppercut Push Dagger. 

Skeleton Knife

In the Game

This one’s cool, isn’t it? The Skeleton Knife brings us the bare bones (get it?) of a melee weapon: it has no handle, guard, or ornamentation; it’s just a double-edged pointed blade. The tape on the tang (where the grip would be) is a nice touch. 

Prices: from $200 to $900; rare Case Hardened patterns can reach over $10k. 

In Real Life

The real-life inspiration behind the Skeleton Knife is the Renegade G4 Stryker, which is actually a throwing knife—which explains the missing handle. The finger-grip hole is there to make gripping the knife easier when in close combat. 

Stiletto Knife

In the Game

Added to CS:GO in 2018, the Stiletto Knife has a short, thin blade, a classic wooden handle, and a few cool-looking animations. Like most CS2 knife types, it looks better in some skins than others—for instance, the camo patterns of Forest DDPAT or Boreal Forest don’t suit this knife at all. Damascus Steel is a different story altogether, though!

Prices: from $150 to $550; FN Crimson Web: $1500; Doppler: max. $6000

In Real Life

In general, a Stiletto is a short dagger with a thin, pointed blade. The Stiletto Knife in CS2 is actually based on AB Italy Italian Stilettos, which are spring-loaded switchblades. At the press of a button, the blade is instantly deployed—you can see it in the in-game draw animation. This makes Italian Stilettos easy to conceal and very deadly, which is why they’re banned in many U.S. states and plenty of countries around the world. 

Survival Knife

In the Game

There are a few CS2 knife types with a survival vibe, but only this one has survival in the name. It has everything: a standard edge, a serrated edge and a gutting hook. Oh, and a rare draw animation: 

Prices: from $80 to $500; FN Crimson Web: $1000; rare Case Hardened patterns: up to $7000

In Real Life

The IRL version of the CS2 Survival Knife is the Weyland Tactical Fixed Blade Knife. It’s an all-in-one camping, survival, and hunting knife—which explains the hook and the serrated edge. Draw animation likely not included. 

Talon Knife

In the Game

The Talon Knife is very similar to the Karambit, at somewhat lower prices. The Talon vs Karambit debate has been going on for as long as the two knives have been in the game, so we definitely won’t solve it here. Personally, I’d go with the Karambit—it looks sleek as hell; but then again, the Talon has this cool finger spin animation: 

Prices: from $230 to $1300; Doppler: up to $6200

In Real Life

It’s basically a fancy karambit knife—so everything we said up top about the IRL karambit applies here, too. 

Ursus Knife

In the Game

The Ursus Knife stands out with some cool animations, though it’s often criticized for the ugly handle (and not without reason). Still, I guess you won’t see the handle while playing, most of the time, so if you like the angular blade and simplicity of the Ursus Knife, go for it. 

Prices: from $100 to $600, FN Crimson Web: $1500, rare Doppler, Fade, and Case Hardened: up to $5000

In Real Life

The Ursus Knife is based on the Gerber Prodigy Combat Tanto Fixed Blade Knife (try saying that out loud three times really fast). It has a partly serrated edge and a grip that’s only slightly less ugly (sorry) than the in-game version. 

Whew, that was a long one. But you’ve seen every CS2 knife type (along with some useless trivia), so hopefully it was worth staying until the end. Have a good time on Key-Drop, see if you can win your favorite knife!