Butterfly Knives are some of the most iconic and desirable weapons in Counter-Strike 2 — known for their stylish flip animations, sleek silhouettes, and incredibly rare drop rates. Since their debut in Operation Breakout, these knives have become the ultimate cosmetic flex, with certain skins like the Gamma Doppler Emerald fetching prices over $20,000.
In this guide, we’ll break down why the Emerald Gamma Doppler is widely considered the best Butterfly Knife skin in CS2 — and how it stacks up against other elite contenders like the Fade, Doppler Ruby, and Marble Fade. It doesn’t matter if you’re a trader, a collector, or just want to turn heads in-game, Butterfly Knives remain the gold standard of CS2 prestige.
This guide covers:
- All 2025 Butterfly Knife skins in CS2
- Prices, case drops, and release dates
- Rarity details including Doppler & Gamma gems
Contents
- 1 Full List of CS2 Butterfly Knife Skins (2025)
- 2 Operation Breakout Skins (2014)
- 3 Spectrum & Spectrum 2 Skins (2017)
- 4 Riptide / Dreams & Nightmares Skins (2021)
- 5 Butterfly Knife Skins in CS2 – Full List with Details
- 6 Vanilla
- 7 Urban Masked
- 8 Forest DDPAT
- 9 Safari Mesh
- 10 Boreal Forest
- 11 Fade
- 12 Crimson Web
- 13 Slaughter
- 14 Case Hardened
- 15 Stained
- 16 Blue Steel
- 17 Night
- 18 Scorched
- 19 Damascus Steel
- 20 Doppler
- 21 Marble Fade
- 22 Rust Coat
- 23 Tiger Tooth
- 24 Ultraviolet
- 25 Autotronic
- 26 Black Laminate
- 27 Bright Water
- 28 Gamma Doppler
- 29 Freehand
- 30 Lore
- 31 Final Thoughts – Which Butterfly Knife Should You Buy?
Full List of CS2 Butterfly Knife Skins (2025)
Operation Breakout Skins (2014)
| Skin | Starting Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vanilla | $2,861.28 | Clean, unpainted design—highly sought for its simplicity |
| Urban Masked | $1,137.00 | Black and gray urban camo |
| Forest DDPAT | $1,150.00 | Digital green forest camo |
| Safari Mesh | $1,271.45 | Beige mesh-style camo |
| Boreal Forest | $1,378.37 | Standard forest camouflage |
| Fade | $1,999.99 | Gold-to-purple gradient, iconic collector skin |
| Crimson Web | $1,523.65 | Red base with black web overlay |
| Slaughter | $2,053.81 | Metallic red with blood-like shapes |
| Case Hardened | $1,587.58 | Blue/gold/metal pattern, varies by float and pattern |
| Stained | $1,670.74 | Subtle silver metallic with stained blade effect |
| Blue Steel | $2,080.39 | Dark, matte bluish finish with understated flair |
| Night | $1,477.26 | Deep, nearly black—great for stealth themes |
| Scorched | $1,380.00 | Burnt, blotchy camo with a rugged look |
Spectrum & Spectrum 2 Skins (2017)
| Skin | Starting Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Damascus Steel | $1,986.00 | Wavy steel lines inspired by real Damascus forging |
| Doppler | $2,009.56 | Phases 1–4 + rare gems: Sapphire, Ruby, Black Pearl |
| Marble Fade | $2,250.00 | Bright, multicolor blade—one of the flashiest skins |
| Rust Coat | $1,480.00 | Heavily worn, rusty aesthetic |
| Tiger Tooth | $1,889.99 | Bright orange with black tiger-stripe pattern |
| Ultraviolet | $1,660.00 | Purple blade + matte black hilt—stylish & bold |
Riptide / Dreams & Nightmares Skins (2021)
| Skin | Starting Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Autotronic | $1,725.00 | Red blade, mesh handle—futuristic, tech-themed |
| Black Laminate | $1,425.77 | Matte black blade + dark wood-patterned handle |
| Bright Water | $1,448.25 | Blue watercolor-style camouflage |
| Gamma Doppler | $1,999.00 | Phases 1–4 + Emerald gem (up to $25,000) |
| Freehand | $1,506.00 | White doodle patterns over dark purple |
| Lore | $1,444.67 | Gold Celtic-style engravings with mythical vibes |
Butterfly Knife Skins in CS2 – Full List with Details
Vanilla
- Release Date: July 1, 2014
- Price: From $2861.28
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Operation Breakout Weapon Case
The Vanilla Butterfly Knife is unpainted but highly coveted for showcasing the pure form of the blade and its animation.. Still, it is highly sought-after and appreciated for its simplicity and clean design. It showcases the butterfly knife’s unique folding mechanism and animations without any added patterns or colors.
Urban Masked
- Release Date: July 1, 2014
- Price: From $1137
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Operation Breakout Weapon Case
Urban Masked is a classic butterfly knife skin featuring a black and gray urban camouflage pattern. The design is relatively simple but undeniably charming.
Forest DDPAT
- Release Date: July 1, 2014
- Price: From $1150
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Operation Breakout Weapon Case
The Forest DDPAT skin showcases a green digital camouflage pattern, perfect for players who want to blend in with the natural surroundings of various CS2 maps. This skin is both stylish and functional, adding a touch of military flair to your inventory.
Safari Mesh
- Release Date: July 1, 2014
- Price: From $1271.45
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Operation Breakout Weapon Case
Safari Mesh brings a wild touch to your butterfly knife with its animal-inspired pattern. The design utilizes shades of green and brown and will be perfect for those who want to blend in with the environment.
Boreal Forest
- Release Date: July 1, 2014
- Price: From $1378.37
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Operation Breakout Weapon Case
The skin is colored in forest camouflage, and it is an excellent option for those who want to look more natural without straying far from the military theme of the game.
Fade
- Release Date: July 1, 2014
- Price: From $1999.99
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Operation Breakout Weapon Case
One of the most popular and expensive butterfly knife skins, Fade features a stunning gradient color scheme going from gold to purple. The eye-catching design makes it a favorite among collectors, and it’s guaranteed to catch players’ attention.
Crimson Web
- Release Date: July 1, 2014
- Price: From $1523.65
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Operation Breakout Weapon Case
Bright and bold Crimson Web skin suits those not afraid to express themselves. A black web pattern on top of the primary red background illustrates the skin’s name.
Slaughter
- Release Date: July 1, 2014
- Price: From $2053.81
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Operation Breakout Weapon Case
The Slaughter’s skin is adorned with an intricate dark red pattern that resembles bloodstains on a metallic surface. It’s a fitting design for a weapon that will appeal to players looking for a more menacing look.
Case Hardened
- Release Date: July 1, 2014
- Price: From $1587.58
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Operation Breakout Weapon Case
Case Hardened is considered a more affordable alternative to Fade. This skin shimmers in blue, purple, and gold, but unlike Fade, the skin has a distinct metallic and more menacing look.
Stained
- Release Date: July 1, 2014
- Price: From $1670.74
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Operation Breakout Weapon Case
Stained is a simple yet elegant variant of the butterfly knife skin. The skin is a minimalistic metallic with a subtle stained pattern all over the blade.
Blue Steel
- Release Date: July 1, 2014
- Price: From $2080.39
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Operation Breakout Weapon Case
Blue Steel is an understated dark skin. It features a black color with purple or dark green details. Exquisite and stylish design will not leave anyone indifferent.
Night
- Release Date: July 1, 2014
- Price: From $1477.26
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Operation Breakout Weapon Case
The name of the skin speaks for itself. The dark-as-night skin looks stylish, and in-game, it will also look menacing and stealthy.
Scorched
- Release Date: July 1, 2014
- Price: From $1380.00
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Operation Breakout Weapon Case
Scorched received a camouflage design in urban colors. Unremarkable gray-black tones make the skin harsh, but at the same time, very spectacular.
Damascus Steel
This skin offers a timeless, elegant look that appeals to players who appreciate the craftsmanship and a touch of history.
- Release Date: March 16, 2017
- Price: From $1986.00
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Spectrum 2 Case, Spectrum Case
The Damascus Steel Butterfly Knife features an intricate, wavy pattern on the blade, reminiscent of the traditional forging technique used to create real Damascus steel.
Doppler
- Release Date: March 16, 2017
- Price: From $2009.56
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Spectrum 2 Case, Spectrum Case
Depending on the patterns in CS2, there are four phases of the Doppler skin, each with different shades.
For example, we will observe violet-red shades in the first and third phases, which are already black and blue.
In addition, there are also three separate categories in which one of the colors dominates the entire blade: “Sapphire” (blue), “Ruby” (red), and “Black Pearl” (black). In these colors, the Doppler skin will be even more expensive.
Marble Fade
- Release Date: March 16, 2017
- Price: From $2250.00
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Spectrum 2 Case, Spectrum Case
A top-tier collector skin known for its rainbow fade. The blade is colored in red, blue, yellow, and purple shades. The design is mesmerizing and does not allow you to take your eyes off it.
Rust Coat
- Release Date: March 16, 2017
- Price: From $1480.00
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Spectrum 2 Case, Spectrum Case
The Rust Coat looks vintage and rough with its weathered and distinctive rusty texture on the blade and handle. This battle-scarred design appeals to players who like the more rugged look of a butterfly knife.
Tiger Tooth
- Release Date: March 16, 2017
- Price: From $1889.99
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Spectrum 2 Case, Spectrum Case
The Tiger Tooth skin is different from all the others with its bold brightness. The blade’s orange and black tiger stripe pattern looks bold and aggressive.
This ferocious skin appeals to players looking for a distinctive look for their butterfly knife while maintaining an exciting animation.
Ultraviolet
- Release Date: March 16, 2017
- Price: From $1660.00
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Spectrum 2 Case, Spectrum Case
This skin is the epitome of sophistication itself. The violet blade and matte black hilt make it one of the most stylish.
Autotronic
- Release Date: September 22, 2021
- Price: From $1725.00
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Dreams & Nightmares Case, Operation Riptide Case
The Autotronic will suit those looking for a high-tech and modern look for their knife. The blade has a bright red metallic finish, and the handle is decorated with metal mesh inserts.
Black Laminate
- Release Date: September 22, 2021
- Price: From $1425.77
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Dreams & Nightmares Case, Operation Riptide Case
The Black Laminate Butterfly Knife in CS2 is a sleek and elegant skin featuring a dark, wood-like pattern on the handle with a matte black blade. This sophisticated design perfectly balances style and subtlety.
Bright Water
- Release Date: September 22, 2021
- Price: From $1448.25
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Dreams & Nightmares Case, Operation Riptide Case
Bright Water is a skin with a stunning blue-black watercolor pattern on the blade that gives it a smooth and artistic look.
Gamma Doppler
- Release Date: September 22, 2021
- Price: From $1999.00
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Dreams & Nightmares Case, Operation Riptide Case
The Gamma Doppler Butterfly Knife is an eye-catching skin with a radiant, emerald green and black pattern reminiscent of a cosmic scene. Gamma Dopplers also have four phases.
The most expensive coloring of this skin is Emerald. Its cost can go as high as $17,500.
Freehand
- Release Date: September 22, 2021
- Price: From $1506.00
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Dreams & Nightmares Case, Operation Riptide Case
The Freehand skin features a bold abstract pattern with dark blue, purple, and white lines on the blade. This makeup is one of the most creative for the butterfly knife in CS2.
Lore
- Release Date: September 22, 2021
- Price: From $1444.67
- Quality: Covert
- Case: Dreams & Nightmares Case, Operation Riptide Case
Lore is a highly sought-after skin with an intricate pattern on its blade, reminiscent of something ancient. This impressive skin draws inspiration from legends and myths and brings a bit of mysticism.
Final Thoughts – Which Butterfly Knife Should You Buy?
Whether you’re after investment-grade skins like the Emerald Gamma Doppler or budget-friendly classics like Forest DDPAT, Butterfly Knives remain the pinnacle of CS2 cosmetic prestige. Choose based on style, float, and pattern—and always double-check market listings before buying.
Usually, the skin of the knife matches the color of the gloves or vice versa. Therefore, we recommend reading our article Top 10 Best CS2 Gloves in 2025: Must-Have Picks for Every Player.
