Butterfly knives in CS2 can be found in five specific weapon cases as rare special items. You can get these iconic knives from the Operation Breakout Weapon Case, Spectrum Case, Spectrum 2 Case, Operation Riptide Case, and Dreams & Nightmares Case. Each case offers different butterfly knife finishes and patterns, ranging from classic skins like Vanilla and Stained to premium options like Doppler and Gamma Doppler.
Which CS2 cases can drop butterfly knives?
Five CS2 cases contain butterfly knives as rare special drops: Operation Breakout Weapon Case, Spectrum Case, Spectrum 2 Case, Operation Riptide Case, and Dreams & Nightmares Case. The Operation Breakout case was the first to introduce butterfly knives in July 2014, while the newest options come from the Dreams & Nightmares Case released in January 2022.
The Operation Breakout Weapon Case offers the original butterfly knife collection with 13 different finishes. These include classic patterns like Vanilla, Stained, and Scorched, plus sought-after skins like Fade, Slaughter, and Crimson Web. This case remains popular among players looking for the traditional butterfly knife designs.
Both the Spectrum and Spectrum 2 cases (released in March 2017 and September 2017) share the same butterfly knife pool. You’ll find five butterfly knife variants here: Damascus Steel, Ultraviolet, Rust Coat, Tiger Tooth, Marble Fade, and Doppler. These cases introduced more modern finishes to the butterfly knife lineup.
The Operation Riptide and Dreams & Nightmares cases (from September 2021 and January 2022) also share identical butterfly knife selections. These newer cases feature cutting-edge finishes including Gamma Doppler, Lore, Autotronic, Black Laminate, Bright Water, and Freehand. These represent the latest additions to butterfly knife skins in CS2.
What are the most common butterfly knife patterns and finishes?
Butterfly knife patterns in CS2 range from basic finishes available at lower wear ratings to covert-tier designs with intricate details. Common finishes include Vanilla, Stained, Scorched, Forest DDPAT, Urban Masked, Safari Mesh, Night, Boreal Forest, and Rust Coat. Premium patterns feature Fade, Doppler, Marble Fade, Tiger Tooth, Slaughter, and the ultra-rare Gamma Doppler.
Basic finishes typically feature solid colors or simple patterns. The Vanilla butterfly knife has no paint at all, showing the bare metal finish. Stained creates a patina effect with purple and brown tones, while Scorched displays a burnt appearance with dark patches. These skins maintain their character across different wear conditions.
Mid-tier patterns add more visual complexity. Damascus Steel shows an elegant wavy pattern reminiscent of traditional metalworking. Blue Steel offers a subtle blue tint over the metal surface. Case Hardened creates unique color patterns with blues, purples, and golds that vary significantly between individual skins due to pattern seeds.
Top-tier finishes showcase vibrant colors and special effects. The Fade pattern transitions from purple to pink to yellow, while Doppler variants come in different phases with ruby, sapphire, black pearl, and standard color combinations. Marble Fade blends red, blue, and yellow in a marble-like pattern, and Tiger Tooth displays orange stripes on a golden background.
What makes certain butterfly knife finishes more desirable?
Butterfly knife desirability depends on visual impact, pattern rarity, color vibrancy, and exclusivity to specific cases. Finishes like Fade, Doppler, and Marble Fade have higher attention due to their bright colors and dynamic patterns. Rare patterns within finishes, particularly Case Hardened with high blue percentages or specific Doppler phases, create additional appeal among players.
Visual aesthetics play the biggest role in butterfly knife popularity. Vibrant multi-color patterns like Fade and Marble Fade stand out in-game with their eye-catching gradients. Tiger Tooth’s golden base with orange stripes creates a luxurious appearance, while Damascus Steel offers understated elegance with its traditional metalwork pattern.
Pattern variations within the same finish add another layer of desirability. Case Hardened butterfly knives can range from mostly gold to predominantly blue, with blue-dominant patterns being particularly sought after. Doppler phases create distinct color schemes, with Phase 2 (pink) and Phase 4 (blue) being popular choices, while Ruby and Sapphire variants represent the pinnacle of rarity.
Exclusive availability increases appeal for certain finishes. Gamma Doppler, Lore, and Autotronic patterns only drop from Operation Riptide and Dreams & Nightmares cases. Similarly, classic finishes like Slaughter and original Fade patterns remain exclusive to the Operation Breakout case.
Understanding which cases contain butterfly knives helps you target specific finishes when opening cases or browsing the market. Whether you prefer the classic appeal of Operation Breakout patterns or the modern flair of Gamma Doppler variants, each case offers its own unique selection of these coveted knives. Remember that butterfly knives remain among the rarest drops in any case, making every unboxing an exciting possibility.
