CS2 Knife Tier List: Knives to Buy and Invest In!

In Counter-Strike 2, knives are a big deal for players. They aren’t just a weapon, but a true status symbol, and for many, a serious investment. Using the default knife is functional, but pulling out a Butterfly Knife | Fade is a true pleasure. But with so many different types of knives in CS2, and countless skins for them, a logical question comes up. What should you choose? Where do you even start? What’s the best thing to invest in? This is where this guide comes in. We’re going to break down the ultimate CS2 knife tier list so you can see which knives are the best, which ones are the best value, and which ones are good choices for people on a budget.

This guide ranks every knife based on the most important factors: animations, aesthetics, community desirability, and market value. It is for players who want to “flex” in-game and investors who want to find the next big thing.

The Overview of CS2 Tier Knives

Before we dive into the specific blades, let’s get our terms straight. What separates an S-Tier “grail” from an Entry-Level blade? This knife tier list CS2 guide is broken down into four distinct categories.

• S-Tier (The Grails / God Tier): These are the undisputed kings of the CS2 market. These are the “grails” you see pros rocking. They’re defined by iconic, unique, and “spam-able” animations (yeah, we’re looking at you, BFK). They command insane prices and are the most sought-after blades, period. They’re the safest bet for your cash.
• High-End (A-Tier / The Heavy Hitters): These knives are absolute fire, sitting just a hair below the top. They feature incredible aesthetics, sick animations, and that major “wow” factor. They are wildly desirable and hold their value like champs.
• Mid-Range (B-Tier / The Sweet Spot): This is, without a doubt, the “best bang for your buck.” These knives offer solid, unique animations and great designs without demanding you sell a kidney. You can often snag a top-tier finish on a B-Tier knife for the price of a beat-up A-Tier blade.
• Entry-Level (C-Tier / The Starter Pack): This is your ticket into the skin game. The perfect first step to ditching that… broke… default knife. Yeah, they lack the flashy pull-out or inspect animations, but they’re the cheapest way to add some style to your loadout.

The Tier List: Ranking Knives in CS2

Alright, time to jump into the main event – the CS2 knife tier list itself.

Entry-Level Knives

This is where most of us start. This is the “I’m not broke, I just have a budget” tier. These knives won’t break the bank, and let’s be real, anything is better than that ugly default knife. You won’t find any flashy animations here, but you will find a solid start to your skin journey.

• Navaja Knife: Look, let’s be honest. This is the bottom of the barrel. It’s tiny, often called the “splinter,” and its pull-out animation is just… fine. The handle is pretty ugly, too. Its only W is its rock-bottom price tag. It’s a decent budget choice for new players, but you’ll probably want to upgrade from this one fast.
• Shadow Daggers: These are among the most divisive knives in the game. It’s the only dual-wield blades, which makes them unique. The community is clearly split between those who love them and those who don’t. Their animations are also unique, but do cause noticeable screen shake. Their primary market advantage is affordability. Top-tier finishes (like Ruby or Sapphire) cost a fraction of what they would on higher-tier knives.
• Falchion Knife: This knife is often overlooked. While its standard pull-out animation is basic, it features a rare inspect animation where the character balances it on their palm – a detail highly valued by collectors.
• Survival Knife: This knife can be seen as a modernized, more tactical version of the Gut Knife. It has an aggressive blade shape. However, it shares its animations (both pull-out and inspect) with several other knives, which is an important factor for many players. It’s a solid tactical option that combines a rugged look with reliable performance.

Mid-Range Knives

This is where things get interesting. This tier is where you get the most style for your money. These knives all have unique, solid animations without requiring a massive financial commitment. This is the sweet spot for most players.

• Flip Knife: An absolute “OG” classic. Its “click” sound as it snaps open is very satisfying. The blade itself is a bit thin, so some patterns can get lost, but on a Fade or Doppler, it looks clean and classic. A respectable choice, always.
• Stiletto Knife: It was once memed as the “oversized toothpick,” but it has since become a community favorite. It features one of the fastest and cleanest pull-out animations in the game, making it popular among AWPers who are constantly quick-switching.
• Ursus Knife: The “brick” knife. It’s simple, rugged, and feels solid. The rectangular blade is a great canvas for patterns, and the flip-open animation is unique and satisfying. A no-nonsense, tough-looking B-Tier pick.
• Bowie Knife: You want a knife? No, you want a sword. This thing is an absolute unit. The blade is so massive that patterns like Case Hardened or Marble Fade look insane on it. The one trade-off is that you don’t see your left glove, but that’s the compromise for wielding such a large blade.
• Huntsman Knife: A big, beefy, tactical blade. This is what the Gut Knife was perhaps intended to evolve into. It feels powerful, and its heavy pull-out animation looks solid. A real “workhorse” knife that looks good in almost any finish.
• Classic Knife: Pure, 100% nostalgia. This is the default knife from Counter-Strike 1.6, but now you can get it in a Fade finish. The animations are intentionally basic. It’s all about that old-school style.
• Kukri Knife: The new kid on the block. This thing is big, with a wide, inwardly curved blade and some of the flashiest, most over-the-top animations we’ve seen yet. The market is still settling on it, but it’s an extremely flashy and unique mid-range option.

High-End Knives

Okay, now we’re in the “big leagues.” These are pure status symbols. We’re talking top-tier animations, iconic designs, and a price tag to match. This is the centerpiece of any top-tier loadout.

• Bayonet: Not to be confused with its beefier cousin. The standard Bayonet is all about that spin. The pull-out animation is one of the smoothest, fastest, and most satisfying spins in the game. It’s just clean. A true A-Tier classic that never gets old.
• M9 Bayonet: The “Rambo” knife. The icon. This thing is a thick, terrifying slab of steel. The serrated spine just looks mean. Its pull-out animation is fairly basic, but that hardly matters. The M9’s status comes from its sheer size and legacy alone.
• Talon Knife: This is the “Karambit competitor.” Valve essentially designed this as an alternative. It has the finger-ring spin, but the animations feel slightly different. The “ivory” style handle is a love-it-or-hate-it feature, but it’s a great way to get that Karambit feel for a bit less cash.
• Skeleton Knife: A totally unique beast. The Skeleton’s claim to fame is its rare pull-out animation, where your agent spins it around their index finger. The taped handle and large center hole make this the ultimate knife for glove combos.

S-Tier Knives

This is it. The endgame. The absolute best of the best. These two knives are in a league of their own, defined by legendary, complex, and infinitely “spam-able” animations. These are the most liquid skins in the game and the undisputed top of the cs2 knife tier list.

• Karambit Knife: The “OG” icon. The legend. That aggressive tiger-claw curve and the iconic finger-ring spin have made it the ultimate object of desire for over a decade. Karambit knives have that buttery-smooth inspect and the rare full-spin pull-out. they are perfectly balanced, look incredible in any finish, and are the very definition of a CS2 “grail.”
• Butterfly Knife: The undisputed king of animations. The one. The “BFK’s” entire value is in what it does. It has two different complex and flashy pull-out animations. But the real magic is the inspect. You can spam it endlessly, creating a mesmerizing, continuous flipping motion. It’s the ultimate in-game “fidget spinner,” and for that reason, it commands the highest prices on the market. It’s not just a knife. It’s a toy.

Tips for Choosing the Right CS2 Tier Knives

This CS2 knife tier list is a guide, but the “best” knife is always personal. Here are a few tips to help you choose.

Animations vs. Finishes: What’s more important to you? You could get a low-end “Battle-Scarred” Butterfly Knife, or you could get a “Factory New” Flip Knife | Marble Fade for the same price. Decide if you prefer the animation of the S-Tier knife or the look of a Mid-Tier knife with a better finish.

Glove Combos: Your knife is only half the loadout. Think about how it pairs with gloves. A Skeleton Knife looks amazing with Hand Wraps. A Talon Knife | Fade is a perfect match for Sport Gloves | Vice.

Investment vs. Personal Style: If you’re buying purely for investment, stick to the S-Tier and High-End knives (Butterfly, Karambit, M9). They are the most stable and will always be in high demand. If you’re buying for personal style, ignore the tier list and pick what you think looks coolest.

Try Before You Buy: Use community servers or skin-testing websites to try out the animations for yourself. A knife you thought looked average might become your favorite once you feel its animations in-game.

Wrapping Up!

From the humble Navaja to the god-tier Butterfly, knives are the ultimate form of expression and prestige in CS2. While the S-Tier knives will always be the most expensive, there is incredible style and value to be found in every tier. Whether you’re making your first budget purchase or hunting for a multi-thousand-dollar grail, your perfect knife is out there.

We hope this CS2 knife tier list has helped you navigate the market and find your next blade. When you’re ready to make your choice, be sure to visit ShadowPay for great deals on thousands of knives.