How knives reach players
Knives don't belong to collections. Instead, cases list them in a separate group, the Exceedingly Rare Special Item, next to the usual rarity tiers. Which cases hold which finish varies a lot. The Karambit | Fade and the Karambit | Case Hardened are each listed in many cases, from the CS:GO Weapon Case to the Revolver Case. The Karambit | Doppler is listed in the Chroma Case, the Chroma 2 Case and the Chroma 3 Case. The cases and collections guide explains these special groups.
Three things that change the look
For most guns, the exterior is the main difference between copies. On Karambits it is often the smallest one:
- Phase. Doppler Karambits come in seven phases: Phase 1 to Phase 4, Ruby, Sapphire and Black Pearl. Each phase is its own colour scheme. The market name doesn't show the phase, so always check a picture of the specific copy.
- Pattern. On Fade, Doppler and Case Hardened finishes, the pattern number moves colours around the blade. On the Case Hardened it decides where blue and gold appear.
- Float. Fade and Doppler Karambits have a range of 0–0.08, so they are only Factory New or Minimal Wear and wear is barely visible. The Case Hardened covers 0–1, so it exists in every exterior and can look heavily worn.
The patterns guide explains the first two in detail.
StatTrak and the curved blade
The Fade, Doppler and Case Hardened Karambits all have StatTrak™ versions. The curved blade means colours follow the bend, so the same finish looks different on a Karambit than on a straight knife like the M9 Bayonet | Doppler.
Pairing with gloves
Because a knife and gloves are on screen together, many players plan them as a pair. See knife and glove pairs for ideas, including Karambit combinations.