CS2 (CS:GO) ★ Karambit | Fade Detailed Information

The ★ Karambit | Fade is one of the most sought-after knife skins in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). Famous for its mesmerizing gradient blade that transitions through hues of purple, pink, and gold, this skin has become an iconic symbol of prestige among players. The Karambit design itself, inspired by traditional Southeast Asian curved blades, adds to the visual and tactical allure. Players prize the Fade finish for its stunning iridescent effect, which showcases different colors based on the pattern and lighting in-game.

Owning a ★ Karambit | Fade is often associated with high skill and status within the CS2 community, making it a staple for collectors and professional players alike.

★ Karambit | Fade History in CS2 (CS:GO)

What is ★ Karambit | Fade? The ★ Karambit | Fade is a premium knife skin that debuted in CS2 (CS:GO) on August 14, 2013, as part of the "Arms Deal" update, which revolutionized weapon customization. It was introduced through the "CS:GO Weapon Case"—the very first weapon case in the game's history—making it one of the earliest Fade knife finishes available. The designer is not individually credited, as Valve's in-house artists primarily developed this exclusive finish, not as a result of a community contest.

Since its release, the CS2 (CS:GO) ★ Karambit | Fade has not been added to any souvenir pool or re-released in subsequent case rotations, preserving its coveted status. The skin's popularity surged during in-game events such as Operation Bravo and various majors where top players flaunted it, fueling community demand. Gaming communities often circulate lore suggesting the Fade gradient symbolizes skill progression or rare fortune, though no official narrative exists. Over the years, its rarity and distinctive aesthetic have cemented the CS2 (CS:GO) ★ Karambit | Fade as a legendary knife skin sought by dedicated fans and professional players.

★ Karambit | Fade Origin

The ★ Karambit | Fade origin is rooted in the allure of gradient-based color artistry, inspired by high-end anodized knives in the real world. Drawing from contemporary urban and fashion aesthetics rather than military camouflage, the artist focused on a vibrant, metallic fade effect, shifting smoothly between gold, purple, and magenta. The ★ Karambit | Fade origin reflects Valve's emphasis on bold, elegant, and eye-catching visuals that stand out in the hands of any player. In comparison to similar "Fade" knife finishes, the CS2 (CS:GO) ★ Karambit | Fade is renowned for its consistent color transitions, with the Fade pattern making each knife unique and highly desirable.

★ Karambit | Fade Pattern Description & Difference

Featuring a unique, fixed fade pattern, the ★ Karambit | Fade in CS2 (CS:GO) boasts a vibrant blade that showcases a gradient transition from gold and yellow at the base through pink, purple, and ending with a subtle blue tip. The fade effect is achieved with an anodized airbrushed technique, meaning every skin comes with a specific fade percentage—often referenced as the "fade index." Collectors and players highly prize the "full fade" or "99% fade" versions, where the blade reveals the maximum gradient, while lower percentages show less color coverage.

The rarity of ★ Karambit | Fade is due to both its overall case rarity and exceptional fade patterns, with "clean fade" variants fetching top market prices. The ★ Karambit | Fade pattern is consistent across all factory-spawned knives, but minor differences in color extent make each one unique to enthusiasts. The float value for this skin ranges only between 0.00 and 0.08, so it is available exclusively in Factory New and Minimal Wear conditions. Visual wear is minor, primarily resulting in subtle dulled areas on the blade’s edge at higher floats, but the iconic fade remains vibrant.

StatTrak™ versions are available, tracking in-game kills, but no Souvenir edition exists. The overall appearance and value of the CS2 (CS:GO) ★ Karambit | Fade depend greatly on its fade percentage, float, and pattern index.

How to Get a ★ Karambit | Fade

If you're wondering how to get a ★ Karambit | Fade in CS2 (CS:GO), know that it is exclusively obtainable by opening the original "CS:GO Weapon Case" or by acquiring it through the Steam Community Market and trusted third-party marketplaces. To buy a ★ Karambit | Fade, you can visit Shadowpay.com, where prices depend on fade percentage and condition. Another way to buy a ★ Karambit | Fade is by searching for Factory New or Minimal Wear listings, making use of filtered search tools for best results. Due to its legendary rarity, this knife commands a premium price and is a highlight for any collector.

Pro Players Who Own ★ Karambit | Fade

Several popular esports professionals and streamers have featured the ★ Karambit | Fade in their loadouts, further fueling its legendary status. Players like s1mple, Shroud, and olofmeister have been spotted with this iconic skin, either during official matches or high-profile streams. Its presence in the hands of such stars elevates the desirability, making it a symbol of both skill and status within the community. Influencers showcasing unboxing videos featuring the ★ Karambit | Fade have also contributed to spikes in popularity and market value. The skin’s association with celebrity players continues to inspire fans to add it to their own inventories.

★ Karambit | Fade Rarity & Possible Floats

The ★ Karambit | Fade is classified as a Covert knife skin, which signifies the highest level of rarity in CS2 and CS:GO's drop pool. StatTrak™ variants are available, allowing users to track their kills with the knife, but there are no Souvenir editions for this skin. The float value range is exceptionally narrow, only between 0.00 and 0.08, meaning the skin is available solely as Factory New and Minimal Wear—there are no Field-Tested, Well-Worn, or Battle-Scarred versions.

The chance to unbox a ★ Karambit | Fade from its original "CS:GO Weapon Case" is extremely low, often estimated at below 0.26% within the Knife slot itself, and with further randomness for the exact Karambit and Fade finish, the true odds are even scarcer. There are no known glitched or bugged versions, but the "fade percentage" (the extent of colored gradient across the blade) greatly impacts market value—"full fade" variants are the most coveted and expensive.

Exceptional scarcity due to the original case’s retirement and high demand has made the ★ Karambit | Fade one of the most valuable knife skins on trading platforms, with prices rising significantly for pristine, high-percentage fade models. Collectors and investors often pursue the rarest floats for display purposes, causing continued appreciation in value for top-condition skins.

★ Karambit | Fade Popularity

The ★ Karambit | Fade enjoys enduring popularity within the CS2 and CS:GO communities. Frequently seen in highlight videos, pro player inventories, and social media posts, its vibrant design and rarity make it a must-have for both aspiring and established collectors. On marketplaces like Steam and Shadowpay, it ranks among the highest-demand knife skins, with consistent trading activity despite its hefty price tag. Community sentiment remains overwhelmingly positive due to both its visual appeal and status symbolism.

Usage spiked following its appearances in major tournament broadcasts and influencer showcases. While uncommon in average matchmaking due to its price, its occasional visibility in pro-level play and influencer content keeps it firmly in the spotlight—cementing its position as one of the most iconic and desirable knife skins in Counter-Strike history.

This content was created with the help of AI and thoroughly reviewed, fact-checked, and validated by a human editor.