All Original Knife Finishes in CS2 – Classic Skins That Still Hold Up
🧩 Original Knife Finishes in CS2 – Full List
These finishes launched with the very first weapon cases back in CS:GO. They’re available across the OG knife models—M9 Bayonet, Karambit, Butterfly, Flip, and others. Here's a breakdown of the skins, with a spotlight on the M9 Bayonet versions for comparison.
| Finish | Description |
|---|---|
| Blue Steel | Cold-toned steel with hints of purple and blue—subtle but sleek. |
| Boreal Forest | Classic woodland camo. Great for old-school military loadouts. |
| Case Hardened | Heat-treated metal with unpredictable patterns—some seeds go for $$$. |
| Crimson Web | Glossy red with black webbing. Scarce in clean wear levels. |
| Fade | One of the most iconic fades in CS—top-down gradient from gold to purple. |
| Forest DDPAT | Digital camo skin with a retro vibe. |
| Night | Dark, nearly black finish—clean and minimal. |
| Safari Mesh | Basic tan camo with a wire mesh overlay. Budget pick with rugged appeal. |
| Scorched | Looks like it survived a fire. Grimy, battle-worn aesthetic. |
| Slaughter | Red finish with a layered abstract pattern. Eye-catching in motion. |
| Stained | Oxidized, dirty-metal look. Underrated for darker inventories. |
| Urban Masked | Concrete-gray camo with a spray-painted feel. Low-profile and gritty. |
| Vanilla | The clean, unskinned knife. No frills—just raw steel. |
💡 Pro tip: Case Hardened patterns vary wildly. Some “blue gem” seeds are worth 10–100x the average.
🔎 Why These Classic Knife Skins Still Matter
There’s a reason collectors and old-school players still chase these. They're the foundation of the CS skin economy, and their history gives them a kind of prestige newer knives just don’t have.
Take the M9 Bayonet | Fade—its look hasn’t aged a day, and the market still loves it. Same goes for Crimson Web in clean wear; those blood-red blades with minimal web breaks are notoriously tough to find. Even simple finishes like Night or Vanilla have their place in minimalist inventories.
And because these finishes exist on the legacy knife models only, they’re not just cool—they’re limited.
🛒 Where to Buy Original Knife Skins in CS2
You’ll find most of these skins on major trading platforms. One of the go-to spots is —they’ve been around forever and usually have solid stock of original knife skins, especially for popular models like the Karambit, Bayonet, and Flip.
Other trusted marketplaces:
Buff.163 – Good for low float/high-tier skins
CSFloat – Great for pattern/float filtering
Note: Prices and liquidity change—check current offers at the time of reading.
✅ Key Takeaways
The original knife finishes came out with the 2013 Arms Deal update in CS:GO.
Available on legacy knife models only: M9 Bayonet, Karambit, Butterfly, Flip, etc.
Skins like Fade, Crimson Web, and Case Hardened remain highly valued.
Pattern and float can massively affect price—especially for Case Hardened or Slaughter.
These skins hold both historical value and consistent market demand.
❓FAQ
What are the original knife finishes in CS2?
They include Blue Steel, Fade, Crimson Web, Case Hardened, Safari Mesh, Urban Masked, and others originally released in the Arms Deal update.
Are these finishes available on newer knives like Skeleton or Paracord?
No—original finishes only exist on classic knives like M9 Bayonet, Karambit, Flip, Gut, etc.
Why is the Fade finish so expensive?
Fade patterns have limited availability and are only in Factory New condition. The M9 Bayonet | Fade, for example, has a high-tier gradient that collectors love.
What’s a “blue gem” Case Hardened?
It refers to a rare Case Hardened pattern (aka seed) where the blade is mostly blue. These are extremely valuable, especially on knives like Karambit or M9.
How do I check pattern or float before buying?
Use tools like CSFloat or Buff to preview float values and pattern IDs before purchasing or trading.
Where can I trade these skins safely?
, Buff.163, and CSFloat are widely trusted. Always double-check listings and avoid private DMs.