Knives in CS 2: all models, best skins and technical characteristics

“Quiet and always available, the knife has a fast, low-damage primary attack and a slow, high-damage secondary attack. A backstab will earn quiet players an instant kill.“
Official description

In the Counter-Strike franchise, the knife is a fundamental melee weapon, always available to players from the start of each round. It occupies its own weapon slot and, in most game modes, cannot be dropped or traded. The knife features two distinct attack modes: a swift, low-damage primary slash and a slower, high-damage secondary stab. A successful backstab with the secondary attack typically results in an instant kill.

The visual design of knives has evolved throughout the series. Early versions were modeled after real-world combat knives, such as the SOG Seal 2000. In Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), the default knives differ between teams: Counter-Terrorists wield a blade resembling the German Eickhorn Recondo IV, while Terrorists use a knife inspired by traditional Persian designs.

In Counter-Strike 2, players have access to a wide array of knives, each featuring distinct visual designs and unique characteristics. The most basic and widely used is the default knife—a sleek, military-style blade with a matte black handle and polished silver edge. Beyond the default option, there are many other styles, such as the Flip Knife, which features a pivoting blade that opens with a sharp flick; the Gut Knife, known for its distinctive hooked curve and saw-like edge; and the Bayonet, a long, straight-edged knife modeled after classic battlefield tools originally crafted for close-quarters combat.

Knives in CS2 serve more than just functional combat purposes—they’re also major status symbols. Collectors and competitive players often view rare or visually striking knives as trophies. These items are tradable within the community, and their rarity, wear level, and skin pattern can significantly drive up their value. For some, acquiring exclusive or limited-edition knives has become a serious hobby, with certain blades fetching high real-world prices in marketplace trades.

Additionally, knives can be customized with a wide variety of finishes that enhance their aesthetic appeal. These cosmetic skins range from subtle recolors to intricate, eye-catching designs. Popular finishes include “Doppler,” which creates a radiant, gemstone-like shimmer, and “Marble Fade,” which paints the blade in a smooth gradient of vivid colors. The visual design of a knife can dramatically affect its perceived and market value, making skin selection a big part of CS2’s collector culture.

Knives stand out from firearms due to their close-range, silent, and high-risk nature. They are most effective in very specific situations but come with strategic advantages:

Speed Boost: Equipping a knife allows the player to move at maximum speed, making it useful for quick repositioning or escapes.

Attack Styles: The primary attack delivers quick swipes with lower damage, while the secondary attack is slower but inflicts significantly more damage.

Lethal Backstabs: A properly landed stab from behind is lethal, making stealth approaches a viable tactic.

Economic Impact: A successful knife kill rewards a high amount of in-game currency, incentivizing skilled or risky plays.

Stealth Advantage: Unlike gunfire, knife attacks are silent, making them useful for ambushes or undetected eliminations.

Every knife in CS2 falls under the Covert rarity tier, marked with a star symbol (★) and available in StatTrak.

VIEW	NAME	HOW MANY SKINS
	Bayonet	25 skins exist
	Bowie Knife	25 skins exist
	Butterfly Knife	25 skins exist
	Classic Knife	13 skins exist
	Falchion Knife	25 skins exist
	Flip Knife	25 skins exist
	Gut Knife	25 skins exist
	Huntsman Knife	25 skins exist
	Karambit	25 skins exist
	Kukri Knife	13 skins exist
	M9 Bayonet	25 skins exist
	Navaja Knife	19 skins exist
	Nomad Knife	13 skins exist
	Paracord Knife	13 skins exist
	Shadow Daggers	25 skins exist
	Skeleton Knife	13 skins exist
	Stiletto Knife	19 skins exist
	Survival Knife	13 skins exist
	Talon Knife	19 skins exist
	Ursus Knife	19 skins exist

While rarely a first choice in combat, knives have unique tactical applications:

Knife Duels: In casual settings or warmups, knife fights are a popular tradition among players, often used to settle disputes or show off skill.

Close-Quarters Finishing: When ammunition runs out or stealth is required, a knife becomes a viable tool for securing a kill.

Silent Takedowns: Players can quietly eliminate unaware enemies without alerting others.

High-Risk, High-Reward Plays: Going for a knife kill can humiliate opponents and disrupt their focus.

Movement Utility: Players often switch to the knife to rotate faster between bombsites or to chase fleeing enemies.

The knife has undergone several changes throughout the Counter-Strike series to balance gameplay and improve user experience:

While knives are not normally droppable, certain game modes and commands allow players to exchange or drop them.

The secondary attack was not present in the earliest versions but was introduced later to add more depth to melee combat.

In Global Offensive, knives received individual animations and models based on cosmetic skins. Despite their appearance, all knives perform identically in combat.

Adjustments were made to prevent abuse of the primary attack, including damage falloff on repeated slashes.

DETAIL	VALUE
Attack Types	Primary (Slash), Secondary (Stab)
Backstab	Instant kill from behind (secondary attack)
Armor Penetration	~85%
Kill Reward	Competitive: $1500 Casual: $750
Attack Delay	Primary: ~0.4s between slashes Secondary: ~1.0s between stabs
Movement Speed	250 units per second (maximum in-game)
Slot	Melee weapon (always available)
Drop Behavior	Not droppable in standard modes

The knife is more than just a backup weapon — it’s a vital tool that combines mobility, stealth, and psychological impact. Though rarely used in direct combat, its strategic applications, high kill reward, and cultural status in the community make it one of the most iconic weapons in the series. Mastery of knife mechanics adds another layer to a player’s skillset and can turn the tide in unexpected situations.