Though there has never been an official survey or study, we are confident that most players enjoy playing Counter-Strike because of knives. Having a knife in CS makes the game increasingly fun, and also boosts your social value as a player, showing signs of prestige and commitment.
If you’re a newer player looking to cop your first knife, it could be pretty daunting to select from the many different knives without too much prior knowledge. In this article, we will list all 18 knives in the game, ordered in alphabetical order, and educate you about them.
Bayonet
- Release Date: 14 August 2013
- Description: “Relatively unchanged in its design since World War II, the bayonet still retains a place in modern military strategy.”
- Budget Range: Mid-Range Budget
The Bayonet is one of the original knives in the game, released in a group of five in the Arms Deal update in 2013, which was the update that introduced weapon and knife skins into the game.
The Bayonet is based on the 1993 Buck M9 Bayonet, though the Bayonet is entirely different from the M9 in Counter-Strike terms. Though the knife is thin and sleek, the Bayonet has a pretty basic pull-out and inspect animation, but is still a very solid mid-range knife.
Bowie Knife
- Release Date: 18 February 2016
- Description: “This full-tang sawback Bowie knife is designed for heavy use in brutal survival situations.”
- Budget Range: Low Budget
The Bowie Knife is one of the older knives in the game, being released in the Operation Wildfire update where it received its own weapon case. This knife design was created by a real-life person named Jim Bowie, hence the name.
The Bowie Knife is known to feature the largest blade in the game, making it the perfect choice for players who prefer bulky knives. However, the knife’s design doesn’t seem too modern and has remained a very unpopular knife choice, leading it to comfortably sit as a low-budget knife.
Butterfly Knife
- Release Date: 1 July 2014
- Description: “This is a custom-designed balisong, commonly known as a butterfly knife.”
- Budget Range: High Budget
The Butterfly Knife is considered the greatest knife in the game for numerous reasons even though it was released a decade ago in 2014 with the Operation Breakout update. The knife was designed based on the Balisong knife, specifically the Terry Guinn Gargoyle V2.
Though this knife is highly sought-after, it might be pay to lose as players will be addicted to inspecting the knife rather than playing the game. It is not debatable that the Butterfly Knife features the most enticing inspect and pull-out animations in the game, which becomes a massive flex. Easily the highest-budget knife.
Classic Knife
- Release Date: 18 October 2019
- Description: “A classic of the Counter-Strike series, the edge of this knife is press-fit Stellite perfectly held in place due to its precise fit with the titanium on the blade’s cheek and spine.”
- Budget Range: Mid-Range Budget
The Classic Knife wasn’t introduced to Counter-Strike too long ago in 2019, but every veteran player has seen this knife decades ago. As the name suggests, the Classic Knife was featured in the early years of Counter-Strike as the default knife, and has been brought back as a purchasable one.
Though the knife doesn’t look too appealing compared to its peers, the Classic Knife is perfect for veteran players who are looking for a sense of nostalgia. Most of the boomers don’t play Counter-Strike anymore, so the Classic Knife sits at the mid-range budget.
Falchion Knife
- Release Date: 26 May 2015
- Description: “A modern homage to a falchion sword, this clip point blade has a curved edge.”
- Budget Range: Low Budget
The Falchion Knife was released quite a while ago in the Operation Bloodhound Update in 2015. It entered the game with its own weapon case, the Falchion Case. This knife was based on the Espada knife which was created using cold steel.
Though it has been out for nearly a decade, the Falchion Knife remains one of the most unpopular knives in the game, especially due to its clunky design and animations. Overall, the Falchion Knife only serves as a decent low-budget knife.
Flip Knife
- Release Date: 14 August 2013
- Description: “Flip knives sport a Persian-style back-swept blade with an acute point.”
- Budget Range: Low Budget
The Flip Knife is another one of the five original knives in the game, and was released in 2013 as a part of the Arms Deal update. It is modeled after the Benchmade 860 Bedlam Folding Knife.
The Flip Knife was highly popular in the early years of Counter-Strike, as it had an extremely unique pull-out animation of the knife being flipped out. However, there are numerous other knives with better animations, pushing the Flip Knife down to a low-budget one.
Gut Knife
- Release Date: 14 August 2013
- Description: “The most notable feature of a gut knife is the gut hook on the spine of the blade.”
- Budget Range: Low Budget
The Gut Knife was introduced to the game along with the Flip Knife, as it is yet another one of the five original knives in the game in 2013. It is based on the Buck Knives Alpha Hunter Model 193, and its unique point is the gut hook on the tip of the blade.
Unfortunately, the Gut Knife has to be one of the worst knives in the game. The blade doesn’t look too attractive, but the main ick is the knife’s handle, which looks extremely cheap. People purchase knives to look rich, but the Gut Knife does the exact opposite. It definitely falls under the low-budget category.
Huntsman Knife
- Release Date: 1 May 2014
- Description: “A knife designed for modern tactical uses, the blade is well suited for a range of both combat and utilitarian needs.”
- Budget Range: Mid-Range Budget
The Huntsman Knife is one of the oldest knives in the game, being released a decade ago in 2014. It entered the game with its own weapon case, the Huntsman Weapon Case. It is modeled after the Mtech USA Xtreme MX-8054 knife.
Overall, the Huntsman Knife is a very decent one that perfectly fits the mid-range category. It has a satisfactory pull-out animation, and the knife itself doesn’t look too bad. Though we’ve categorized it in the mid-range budget, it is definitely on the lower side of that range, making it very affordable.
Karambit
- Release Date: 14 August 2013
- Description: “With its curved blade mimicking a tiger’s claw, the karambit was developed as part of the Southeast Asian martial discipline of silat.”
- Budget Range: High Budget
The Karambit stands side-by-side with the Butterfly Knife as one of the best knives in the game, immediately when it was released into the game in 2013 as a part of the Arms Deal update. The Karambit is based on the real-life Karambit, so nothing too special there.
The Karambit was the first knife that featured a curved blade, which helped it become immensely popular, even until today. Players appreciate the knife’s alluring pull-out and inspect the animation. Easily an amazing knife that falls under the high-budget range.
Kukri Knife
- Release Date: 7 February 2024
- Description: “Used in traditional rituals, such as weddings or stabbings.”
- Budget Range: Mid-Range Budget
The Kukri Knife is one of the newer knives in the game, having only been released in 2024 as the first knife in Counter-Strike: 2 in the Kilowatt Collection. It is based on the Elite Tactical Kukri Machete.
Similar to the Bowie Knife, the Kukri Knife is one of the bulkier knives in the game, perfect for players who want to look masculine in-game. With a decent set of pull-out and inspect animations, the Kukri Knife is a solid mid-range knife.
M9 Bayonet
- Release Date: 14 August 2013
- Description: “This is the M-9 bayonet. Originally intended to be mounted on a rifle, it is also well suited to close-quarters combat.”
- Budget Range: High Budget
The M9 Bayonet sits right behind the Butterfly Knife and Karambit as the third most popular knife in the game. It was one of the five original knives released in 2013. Though it may be obvious, the Counter-Strike M9 Bayonet is based on the real-life M9 Bayonet.
The M9 Bayonet has a relatively large blade, and one of its best features is the serrated blade on the side. It has one of the best pull-out animations, even if it appears pretty simple. It is one of the most expensive knives in the game, falling under the high-budget range.
Navaja Knife
- Release Date: 3 August 2018
- Description: “This marble-enamel-handled flip knife conceals a small but viciously tapered blade.”
- Budget Range: Low Budget
The Navaja Knife was introduced to Counter-Strike in 2018 as a part of the Horizon update. It is based on the real-life Emerson Gypsy Jack Folding Knife. To be blunt, this knife doesn’t look appealing at all.
Let’s be real – the Navaja Knife is probably the worst knife in the game. This knife features a thin blade and a very cheap-looking handle, making everyone want to avoid it. The inspect and pull-out animation is also not amusing, making it fall under the low-budget range, probably the lowest.
Nomad Knife
- Release Date: 19 November 2019
- Description: “This ergonomic tactical hunting lock-blade knife features composite handle inserts and a broad, sturdy blade, useful for cutting and prying apart material.”
- Budget Range: Mid-Range Budget
The Nomad Knife was released in Counter-Strike in November 2019 in the Operation Shattered Web update. It is based on the Strider B46 knife, which looks exactly the same in real life.
Overall, the Nomad Knife is a very average knife. It’s not the best out there, but it’s not the worst either. The knife features decent animations, with rare ones at the ready. The blade is big enough to feature cool skins on it. Overall, the knife is pretty “meh,” allowing it to fall under the mid-range budget.
Paracord Knife
- Release Date: 19 November 2019
- Description: “This fixed-blade survival knife is designed to withstand being used as both a weapon and a tool, such as for setting traps, hunting animals or cutting foliage.”
- Budget Range: Mid-Range Budget
Similar to the Nomad Knife, the Paracord Knife was introduced in November 2019 as a part of the Operation Shattered Web update. The knife’s design closely resembles the Linton Cutlery Seal Tactical knife.
The knife features a sleek and thin blade that looks highly effective, but the main highlight of the knife is its handle, which looks very unique. The Paracord Knife has decent animations, and is overall a very solid mid-ranged knife.
Shadow Daggers
- Release Date: 17 September 2015
- Description: “Designed for efficient brutality, using a push dagger is as simple as throwing a punch or two.”
- Budget Range: Low Budget
The Shadow Daggers are pretty old in Counter-Strike, having been released in September 2015 as a part of the Shadow Boxing update. It is inspired by the Gerber Tactical Uppercut Push Dagger knives.
The Shadow Daggers have essentially become a “meme” knife for its resemblance to buttplugs, and it’s pretty hard to take the knife seriously now. Though it is uniquely the only knife in the game to feature dual-wielding, the Shadow Daggers fall under the low-budget category.
Skeleton Knife
- Release Date: 19 November 2019
- Description: “This skeletonized-tang knife has been taped at the handle for improved grip.”
- Budget Range: High Budget
The Skeleton Knife was introduced in November 2019 as a part of the Operation Shattered Web update. It is modeled after the Renegade G4 Stryker, which seems to be throwing knives in real life.
Though these bad boys haven’t been in the game for too long compared to others, the Skeleton Knife has become one of the most sought-after knives due to its handle and hole in the middle. The hole allows for addicting animations, making it a solid high-budget knife.
Stiletto Knife
- Release Date: 3 August 2018
- Description: “Historically a focal point of contention and even regulation, this Italian-style stiletto switchblade knife features a spring-loaded blade that can be deployed almost instantly with the push of a release catch.”
- Budget Range: Mid-Range Budget
The Stiletto Knife has been in the game for quite a while, and was introduced in August 2018 alongside the Horizon update. This knife gets its resemblance from the Frank Beltrame 9” Stiletto.
Better known as the “toothpick” knife, the Stiletto Knife has some interesting pull-out and inspect animations. The Stiletto Knife is kind of a “hit or miss,” you either really like it, or you hate it. This fifty-fifty approach ensures the Stiletto Knife sits in the mid-range budget.
Survival Knife
- Release Date: 19 November 2019
- Description: “This multi-purpose tactical knife features a serrated edge for ripping through coarse material like bone or fiber, plus a sharp gutting hook. “
- Budget Range: Mid-Range Budget
Alongside the Paracord and Skeleton Knife, the Survival Knife was released in November 2019 as a part of the Operation Shattered Web update. This simple-looking knife is based on the WEYLAND Survival Knife.
The Survival Knife looks like a great pickup option for players looking to purchase their first knife. If you’re interested in the Survival Knife, we have good news that it falls under the low-mid-range budget.
Talon Knife
- Release Date: 3 August 2018
- Description: “This ivory-handled karambit features brass rivets and saw-tooth ridges, so it cuts on the way in, and tears on the way out.”
- Budget Range: High Budget
The Talon Knife made waves in the community when it was introduced in 2018 alongside the Horizon update for looking like the “budget Karambit.” It closely resembles the KIASLORE Tiger Claw, though Valve has made several changes to it in Counter-Strike.
Though the Talon Knife was supposed to be an inferior version of the Karambit, many players started preferring it over the latter. The pull-out animation definitely rivals the legendary Karambit, making the Talon Knife a very solid high-budget knife.
Ursus Knife
- Release Date: 3 August 2018.
- Description: “This tanto-style survival knife features a faceted blade and full tang, complete with impact pommel.”
- Budget Range: Mid-Range Budget
Last but not least, we have the Ursus Knife which was released in August 2018 in the Horizon update. It is designed after the Gerber Prodigy Tanto Knife.
This knife with a faceted blade looks like a very decent knife, perfect for beginners looking to purchase their first. The Ursus Knife animations are pretty basic, but there are several rare animations that make up for it. Overall, a solid mid-ranged budget choice.