What are Vanilla Knives in CS:GO and CS2?
Vanilla knives are the default versions of various knives that are available in Counter-Strike 2. As with any other “vanilla” item, the term implies the original version of something, and with CS2 knives, it means that there is a default version for each type of knife in the game. These are realistic-looking skins with regular silver or grey blades and default handles. The appeal of these knives lies in the minimalist realistic look that many players appreciate, and the fact that these knives tend to be cheaper than any other versions with paint applied on them. As a happy owner of a vanilla Flip Knife, I can tell you how unique these knives look when compared to some overly vibrant blades – it brings the old school CS 1.6 vibe of having a cool lifelike knife without sacrificing the “it” factor. Let’s be honest, the default knives in CS2 are terrible and look very uninspiring, and that’s why we’ve decided to create a definitive list of top 10 vanilla knives in CS2
TOP 10 Best Vanilla Knives in CS2
Here are our ten picks of the most sought-after CS2 / CSGO vanilla knives, prized for their minimalist aesthetics and unique draw animations.
1. Butterfly Knife | Vanilla
Price Range:$2,800 - $3,000
The vanilla version of the Butterfly knife is the most prestigious knife skin you could get with a default paint job and a clean look. If you’re looking for the wildest flipping animations, then the Butterfly knife Vanilla CS2 is the way to go. The dual handles along with the blade make for an amazing set of pull-out and inspect animations. The Butterfly vanilla CS2 is an amazing yet very expensive lifelike knife that stands out from the rest of the knives.
2. Karambit | Vanilla
Price Range: $2,000 - $2,500
The Karambit is one of those rare cases when even the default version looks so unique that nobody will even spot that it's a vanilla knife. Famous for its curved blade, inspired by the Southeast Asian weapon, the Karambit is one of the best knives in terms of animations. Both draw and inspect animations include the spinning moves thanks to the finger ring attached to the handle. The CS2 Karambit vanilla is one of the rarest knives you might spot on the server, making it a great purchase for someone who wants to stand out from the rest.
3. Skeleton Knife | Vanilla
Price Range: $650 - $750
The Skeleton Knife is a fantastic alternative to two above-mentioned knives for a much lower price. The design is astounding, with a bare-bones construction that reminds us of a fusion between the traditional kunai and a throwing knife. The inspect and pull-out animations are great, featuring a lot of spinning thanks to a finger ring hole between the handle and the blade.
4. Kukri Knife | Vanilla
Price Range: $300 - $600
The Kukri knife, a knife inspired by a traditional Nepalese weapon, debuted in CS2 in 2024 and became an instant hit. Thanks to the knife’s extreme popularity in pop culture and action movies, the Kukri vanilla CS2 is a beloved knife with a unique aesthetic. The crooked blade works well in tandem with a rare set of draw and inspect animations where the player spins and catches the blade. If you like the unusual silhouette of the knife, then it’s a no-brainer.
5. Talon Knife | Vanilla
Price Range: $550 - $650
Often seen as the cheaper and more vibrant alternative to the Karambit, the Talon vanilla CS2 knife is a great example of how a smaller amount of money can provide a great skin, especially in this clean default look. The white handle fuses perfectly with the silver blade, accompanied by a great set of animations.
6. M9 Bayonet | Vanilla
Price Range: $1,500 - $1,800
The iconic M9 Bayonet is an epitome of military style fitted into one item. The M9 Bayonet Vanilla CS2 version is a menacing serrated knife with a tactical grip that looks more aggressive than its regular Bayonet counterpart. The regular non-painted version comes with a rugged grey blade that just begs to collect someone’s dog tags.
7. Stiletto Knife | Vanilla
Price Range: $400 - $500
The Stiletto Knife should come with an ominous mysterious music as you approach your enemy from behind. The slim folding knife in its original glory is an elegant and sleek weapon from the past that is heavily appreciated by the older playerbase who grew up on the Scorsese and Coppola movies. In terms of animations, the Stiletto knife comes with a unique flipping inspect animation that looks very fitting.
8. Classic Knife | Vanilla
Price Range: $300 - $400
The classic knife is appreciated by the older playerbase as well, as this very knife had been our trusty partner since the days of CS 1.6, long before Valve introduced the long-awaited knife skins in CS:GO. This design is timeless, with a highly recognizable pattern on the blade and a shorter handle. Aside from the design, the Classic knife has a rare inspect animation and a beautiful pull-out animation.
9. Paracord Knife | Vanilla
Price Range: $150 - $170
The Paracord knife is a rugged survival knife known for its handle wrapped in paracord. The design is clearly meant to have tactical and utilitarian appearance, followed by a set of unique animations of drawing and inspecting the knife. Despite its relatively low popularity, the default vanilla version does not look cheap, even though you could get one for like a $150.
10. Nomad Knife | Vanilla
Price Range: $380 - $400
The Nomad Vanilla CS2 knife is a tactical folding knfie with a distinctive handle and a short blade. Its design is highly recognizable and will fit very well with a pair of futuristic gloves. What makes it even more unique is a rare pull-out animation where the character nicks their finger on the blade while opening it.
What is The Cheapest Vanilla Knife Skin in CS:GO and CS2?
Players on budget should look in the direction of the Navaja Knife or the Paracord Knife, as their prices are generally significantly lower. While Navaja is a polarizing knife with strange design, many players don’t see the appeal of the blade, and these players could always get a Paracord knife for exactly the same price.
Vanilla Knives FAQ
Do vanilla knives have wear and float?
Yes, vanilla knives do have a "float" value and wear, but these values don’t affect the appearance of a knife. A Battle-Scarred knife will look exactly the same as your regular Factory New one.
How many vanilla knives are in CS:GO?
There are currently over 20 different types of knives in CS:GO and CS2 that are available in a vanilla variant. This includes all the knives listed in our top 10, as well as others like the Gut Knife, Flip Knife, Shadow Daggers, and more.
Can you name your vanilla CS:GO knife?
Yes, you can use a “name tag” in order to give your knife a custom nickname. This allows players to personalize their favorite blade and make it truly their own.
How to Get CS:GO or CS2 Vanilla Knife?
You can get pretty much any knife you want on a third-party marketplace like Skin.Land, a trusted website with low prices and a huge selection of skins for every purpose. We offer a secure and straightforward way to buy any skin and bless your inventory with new items.
Write comment