All About Knives in CS2: Which Cases Hide the Most Expensive Knives and Unique Skins? Part 1
A knife is the most valuable and coveted item for any Counter-Strike player. This item will be with you every round, and statistically, players spend over 30% of their time with a knife in hand. It’s well known that knives are significantly more expensive than other skins, and not everyone is willing to spend over $100 on an in-game item. As a result, many players try their luck by opening cases, hoping to see the coveted gold icon and score a big win. Each case contains different knives, and today we’ll tell you where to find the item you desire. This information will also help from an investment perspective, as some cases regularly drop out of active circulation, causing the contents to increase in price.
★ M9 Bayonet
- Prices on Steam: $427.65 – $1,999
- Cases: CS Weapon Case, CS Weapon Case #2, CS Weapon Case #3, eSports 2013 Case, Winter Offensive Weapon Case, eSports 2013 Winter Case, eSports 2014 Summer Case, Operation Bravo Case, Operation Phoenix Weapon Case, Operation Vanguard Weapon Case, Revolver Case
- Cases with expensive versions: Chroma Case #2, Chroma Case, Chroma Case #3, Gamma Case #2, Gamma Case
This knife was introduced alongside the first skins in the game’s history and quickly became a favorite among players. It remains highly sought after due to its relatively simple design, closely resembling the default knives. It also has unique animations that have captivated the community with their realism and simplicity. If you’re not a fan of larger knives, consider its smaller sibling without the M9 designation.
★ Bayonet
- Prices on Steam: $275.09 – $1,304.87
- Cases: CS Weapon Case, CS Weapon Case #2, CS Weapon Case #3, eSports 2013 Case, Winter Offensive Weapon Case, eSports 2013 Winter Case, eSports 2014 Summer Case, Operation Bravo Case, Operation Phoenix Weapon Case, Operation Vanguard Weapon Case, Revolver Case
- Cases with expensive versions: Chroma Case #2, Chroma Case, Chroma Case #3, Gamma Case #2, Gamma Case
The younger sibling of the M9 Bayonet also has its own following. Its history mirrors that of the M9, as they were introduced simultaneously. Both knives can appear in any skin, but their expensive versions are hidden in only 5 out of 16 cases (see “Cases with expensive ‘wave’ versions”). These versions can fetch prices in the tens of thousands of dollars, making certain cases particularly valuable. The smaller Bayonet is better suited for refined and elegant setups, while the M9 fits more brutal and aggressive inventory themes.
★ Ursus Knife
- Prices on Steam: $138.39 – $724.36
- Cases: Danger Zone Case, Horizon Case
The Ursus Knife was introduced in 2018 and is currently obtainable from only two cases, making it quite rare and unique. This knife is moderately popular but has its fans due to its interesting inspect and switch animations. When switching, the player tosses the knife and catches it instantly, and during inspection, it can be spun from finger to finger. The knife’s wide blade allows any skin to fully shine. The only major drawback is the gray handle, which clashes with most skin concepts.
★ Shadow Daggers
- Prices on Steam: $113.02 – $336.44
- Cases: Fracture Case, Dreams & Nightmares Case, Operation Riptide Case, Spectrum 2 Case, Spectrum Case
The only paired knives in the game, Shadow Daggers evoke strong reactions from players. They are either loved or completely rejected, not even accepted as gifts. Despite one of the lowest prices and frequent appearances in servers, Shadow Daggers have struggled to gain acceptance in the community. This is often attributed to a bug that causes the crosshair to slightly drift when switching, though it doesn’t affect gameplay. In our opinion, these knives are quite decent, especially given their low price, and don’t deserve the negative reputation they’ve received.
★ Karambit
- Prices on Steam: $690.73 – $2,749
- Cases: CS Weapon Case, CS Weapon Case #2, CS Weapon Case #3, eSports 2013 Case, Winter Offensive Weapon Case, eSports 2013 Winter Case, eSports 2014 Summer Case, Operation Bravo Case, Operation Phoenix Weapon Case, Operation Vanguard Weapon Case, Revolver Case
- Cases with expensive “wave” versions: Chroma Case #2, Chroma Case, Chroma Case #3, Gamma Case #2, Gamma Case
Another veteran, the Karambit was introduced in the very first case. Despite its unusual appearance, or perhaps because of it, this knife is extremely popular and highly sought after. For these reasons, it’s one of the most expensive knives in the game, with even the cheapest skins requiring significant investment. The Karambit is definitely worth hunting for, making the opening of the aforementioned cases genuinely worthwhile.
★ Classic Knife
- Prices on Steam: $155.75 – $929.68
- Cases: CS20 Case
The most recognizable knife among all Counter-Strike fans, the design is fully borrowed from the default knife in CS1.6, which most players of VALVE’s legendary shooter will recognize. It was added to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the series and can only be obtained from the case dedicated to this event. However, even such a history and the rarity of being in just one case didn’t drive the prices up significantly. Notably, there’s no chance of getting any other knife from this case, so if you see the gold icon when opening it, you can be sure it’s a Classic Knife.
★ Bowie Knife
- Prices on Steam: $125.44 – $636.03
- Cases: Operation Wildfire Case, Dreams & Nightmares Case, Operation Riptide Case, Spectrum 2 Case, Spectrum Case
The Bowie Knife was added during the Wildfire operation, along with a case of the same name, where this knife was the only possible gold item. Its massive blade, more reminiscent of a machete, wasn’t to everyone’s taste, but what bothered players most was the lack of a second-hand animation when using the Bowie. Why this was done is unclear; perhaps the blade was already taking up too much space. In early 2024, this was corrected in CS2, with the second hand being added, which didn’t significantly change its price but did increase its popularity among players.
★ Falchion Knife
- Prices on Steam: $125.53 – $626.86
- Cases: Falchion Case, Dreams & Nightmares Case, Operation Riptide Case, Spectrum 2 Case, Spectrum Case
VALVE used to have an interesting approach to introducing new knives, creating separate cases where the only gold item was the latest addition. The Falchion Knife has a unique inspect animation with a 1% chance of occurrence. During the animation, the player balances the knife’s handle vertically on their palm. Additionally, it’s the only knife with a colored handle, which turned out to be more of a drawback than a benefit over time. This feature made the knife look less natural and realistic, turning away many players.
★ Paracord Knife
- Prices on Steam: $120.75 – $644.20
- Cases: Shattered Web Case, Fracture Case
During the Shattered Web operation, a whole series of new knives was introduced, and the Paracord Knife is one of the standout representatives. It features an unusual paracord-wrapped handle, an interesting blade design, and new inspect animations. The knife resembles a modernized version of the Bayonet with a few upgrades. It has a rare switching animation where the character tosses the knife from one hand to the other, and a rare inspect animation where the character flips the knife several times.