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In Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), knives are more than just functional melee weapons—they are prestigious symbols of status, skill, and style. Some of these virtual blades can fetch exorbitant prices, driven by rarity, skin design, and desirability within the community. In this article, we’ll take a look at the most expensive knives in CS2, exploring what makes them so valuable and why players are willing to pay top dollar for these exclusive in-game items. Whether you're a seasoned trader or just curious about the hype, these knives represent the pinnacle of CS2 luxury.

The Price Ranges for Knives

The collection of high-value knives can be expanded, especially with different patterns and textures combined with rare pattern indexes. Enthusiasts often spend several thousand dollars on models like the M9 Bayonet Black Pearl or Doppler Sapphire. Most of the time, these prices apply to Factory New items. If you're willing to go for higher float versions like Battle Scarred, you can find more affordable options—though they still tend to run into the thousands.

For example, you could pick up a popular Karambit Case Hardened for roughly $1,000, a far cry from the $1.4 million price tag on the rarest, most prized version. Though the knife might show more wear and the colors may be less striking, owning such a well-known blade is still impressive.

What is the Most Expensive CS2 Knife Ever Sold?

The prices of knives in CS2 can vary over time, with the priciest ones often shifting at the top of the market. Despite this, their core traits remain consistent: visually striking blades with rare pattern indexes have the potential to make their owners significant amounts of money.

One knife that stands out as the most valuable in CS2 is the Karambit Hardened Blue Gem with pattern index 387. The chances of obtaining this knife from a case are around 1 in 371 million. Currently owned by a Chinese collector, its estimated worth exceeds $1.5 million. Interestingly, the owner once rejected an offer at this price, suggesting the knife's value could rise even higher.

The Most Valuable Knives in CS2 in 2024

1. Butterfly Doppler Sapphire – up to $20k

2. Butterfly Gamma Doppler Emerald – about $15k

3. M9 Bayonet Doppler Sapphire – about $12k

4. M9 Bayonet Doppler Emerald – about $11-12k

5. Karambit Doppler Sapphire – about $8k

6. Karambit Doppler Emerald – $9-10 k

7. Butterfly Knife Doppler Ruby – about $8.1k

8. Karambit Doppler Ruby – about $8k

9. Talon Knife Doppler Sapphire – about $7,1k

Other Expensive Knives in CS2

While designs like Doppler, Gamma Doppler, and Case Hardened dominate the upper echelon of knives, there's a vast array of other high-value options in CS and CS2. If you're thinking about investing in an expensive blade with a unique look, the market offers numerous alternatives, often reaching prices in the thousands.

The Butterfly Knife with a Crimson Web skin sports a deep red blade accented with a spiderweb motif, making each knife one-of-a-kind due to the varying web placements.

Inspired by the famed AWP Dragon Lore, the Butterfly Knife Lore showcases a blade etched with intricate knot-like patterns, reminiscent of ancient mythology. The M9 Bayonet Lore mirrors this same design, offering a sharp and bold appearance.

The M9 Bayonet Crimson Web is another prime choice, featuring the web pattern on a straight blade. This design is part of a larger collection, allowing you to build a cohesive, stylish inventory.

Another notable option is the Butterfly Fade, popular for its striking gradient design and diverse pattern variations, making it a favorite among players.

With many sought-after combinations available now and others likely to increase in value over time, buying knives in CS2 can be both a good investment and a way to stand out in the game

Bayonet Marble Fade

No fiery CS2 collection is complete without a knife. The Bayonet Marble Fade, especially with a red tip that resembles a flame licking up the blade, is a must-have. Look for a specific pattern that emphasizes the fiery red for the best effect.

AK-47 Red Laminate

Though the AK-47 Red Laminate lacks flames, its bold red color makes a statement. If you want to add some fire to this weapon, Incineration (Holo) stickers can do the trick, creating a custom fiery look on the gun.

M4A1-S Chantico's Fire

The M4A1-S Chantico's Fire may have a subtle flame design, but its name says it all. Inspired by Chantico, the Aztec deity of fire and volcanoes, the red markings on the magazine and above are flames rendered in an Aztec art style.

AWP Wildfire

The AWP Firestorm features a massive fiery creature sprawled across half of the rifle. The remaining design elements include high-tech details like meshes and rivets, and a subtle gradient from gray to red on the scope. This skin transforms your AWP into a fire-breathing beast.

MAC-10 Heat

The design resembles a slab of metal freshly pulled from the forge, with glowing edges and metallic sides. It’s also become a favorite for players crafting with rare stickers, particularly in its Factory New condition.

UMP-45 Blaze

Sharing its fiery design with the Desert Eagle Blaze, the UMP-45 often gets overlooked. However, in the second round, its high damage output allows you to rake in cash per kill, setting you up for a strong start in the first full buy round.

P2000 Fire Elemental

The P2000 Fire Elemental has been around for a decade, but it remains a blazing choice. Featuring a blue background with a fierce fire elemental blazing across the top, this skin is a standout. With no fire-themed options available for the CT silenced pistol, why use anything else?

Glock-18 Bunsen Burner

Remember those Bunsen burners from chemistry class? They’re capable of reaching temperatures up to 1500 degrees! The Glock-18 Chemistry Burner brings that same intensity to your game. Perfect for climbing the ranks and dominating FACEIT.

Desert Eagle Blaze

The Desert Eagle Blaze is nothing short of legendary. This iconic skin is both scorching and stylish, making it the ultimate choice for a pistol. There may be cheaper alternatives, but nothing matches the sheer impact of the Inferno.

Specialist Gloves Crimson Kimono

While you won’t find gloves literally on fire, the Specialist Gloves Crimson Kimono come close with their stunning red design. These gloves complement fiery skins perfectly and add a stylish touch to any loadout.

CS2 skins are far from being all the same. You might think that a P250 Sand Dune is identical to another, but each skin comes with its own unique "condition," often referred to as "skin wear" or "skin quality."

The condition of a skin plays a crucial role in determining its appearance. Skins with a poorer condition will show more signs of wear, such as chipped paint, scratches, and a generally worn-out look. Once a skin's condition is set upon being unboxed, it remains unchanged—you can't enhance or degrade it over time.

Every skin is assigned a "float value," a number between 0 and 1 that indicates how worn the skin is. The closer the float value is to 0, the better the quality of the skin. Although these float values aren’t immediately visible, there are third-party tools that allow you to check a skin's float value via the Steam API.

So, what do these float values translate to in terms of skin conditions? Below, we've broken down the different CS2 skin conditions and what they mean. And if you're looking to explore skins based on their condition, our comprehensive CS2 skins database is at your disposal.

Factory New

Skins with a float value ranging from 0 to 0.07 are known as Factory New. As the name implies, Factory New skins look pristine, almost as if they’ve just been freshly manufactured. Any imperfections are minimal, with only the faintest scratches visible.

Factory New skins are usually the most expensive, given their top-tier quality. Depending on the skin, prices can reach up to five times—or even more—than those of the next condition down, Minimal Wear.

Minimal Wear

Minimal Wear skins, with float values between 0.07 and 0.15, offer the second-highest quality. These skins may have a few more noticeable scratches, but they still maintain a relatively clean look. Think of Minimal Wear skins as gently used—they may have some signs of wear, but they’re still in great shape.

It’s wise to check out a few Minimal Wear skins before deciding on one, as the difference in float value can be significant. A skin with a float of 0.071 will look much closer to Factory New than one with a float of 0.149. However, if you're after perfection, Factory New is likely the better choice.

Field Tested

Field Tested skins have float values between 0.15 and 0.38. While the degree of wear can vary, these skins often show clear signs of use, such as more prominent scratches and sometimes large blemishes covering a noticeable portion of the weapon.

Although Field Tested skins might not be as pristine, they can appeal to those who prefer a rugged, battle-worn aesthetic. One major advantage of Field Tested skins is their affordability. Since they’re less sought after, their prices often range between 50% to 90% of a Minimal Wear skin’s cost, though there are some exceptions.

Well Worn

With float values from 0.38 to 0.45, Well Worn skins sit between Field Tested and Battle Scarred conditions. These skins show considerable wear, with visible scratches, fading, and more significant blemishes.

While opting for a Well Worn skin can be cheaper than going for a Field Tested one, the price difference may not be huge. If you can stretch your budget, Field Tested skins might offer better value.

Battle Scarred

Battle Scarred skins, with float values ranging from 0.45 to 1, are aptly named—they exhibit extensive damage, including deep scratches and large blemishes.

The appearance of Battle Scarred skins can vary widely due to the broad range of float values within this category (from 0.451 to 0.999). Despite their heavily worn look, these skins can offer unique visual effects.