CS2 Cases with Karambits

Karambits have been part of CS2 (and CS:GO before it) since the Arms Deal update, which introduced the original set of knife skins. They appear as rare special items in specific weapon cases. Not every case released by Valve includes karambits — each case has its own defined pool of knives and gloves.

Cases that feature the original knife collection (often called "Chroma knives" by the community) include the karambit alongside other classic knife types such as the M9 Bayonet, Bayonet, Flip Knife, and Gut Knife. Newer case series have introduced different knife collections, so the karambit is not universally available.

Before purchasing cases specifically to chase a karambit, always confirm the case's rare special item pool. Our CS2 cases database provides full contents for every case in the game.

The following cases include karambits as part of their rare special item pool. Valve may update case contents over time, so verify current pools on our cases page.

• CS:GO Weapon Case Series (1, 2, 3): The original weapon cases that introduced knife skins. These are no longer in the active drop pool and tend to be expensive to acquire.
• Chroma Case, Chroma 2 Case, Chroma 3 Case: Feature the Chroma knife finish collection, which includes karambits with finishes like Doppler, Marble Fade, Tiger Tooth, and more.
• Gamma Case, Gamma 2 Case: Include karambits with the Gamma finish set including Autotronic, Bright Water, and Freehand patterns.
• Spectrum Case, Spectrum 2 Case: Share a knife pool that includes karambits alongside butterfly knives and others.
• Prisma Case, Prisma 2 Case: More recent cases featuring karambits in the classic knife collection.

Many Operation cases and other special releases also include karambits. The key is checking whether the case uses a knife collection that features the karambit model.

The base probability of receiving any knife or gloves from a CS2 case is approximately 0.26%, or about 1 in 385 openings. This rate is consistent across all weapon cases regardless of their contents or price.

Once you hit the rare special item tier, the game randomly selects from the available knives (and gloves, if applicable) in that case's pool. Cases with six knife types in the pool give roughly a 1-in-6 chance of the knife being a karambit specifically. Cases with more knife types reduce that conditional probability further.

The combined probability of unboxing a karambit in any specific skin finish and wear condition is exceptionally low. This mathematical scarcity underpins karambit pricing on the market. For detailed probability breakdowns, try our case odds calculator.

Karambit prices cover an enormous range depending on the skin finish, wear condition, pattern index, and StatTrak status. The most accessible karambits are typically Vanilla (no skin), Safari Mesh, or Urban Masked in Battle-Scarred condition. Premium finishes like Fade, Doppler (especially Phase 2 and Phase 4), Marble Fade, and Crimson Web in Factory New condition sit at the top end.

Certain pattern variations command additional premiums. For example, Karambit Doppler knives with specific phase patterns or Karambit Case Hardened knives with high blue-gem percentages can sell for significantly more than standard versions of the same skin.

Since prices change constantly with market conditions, we recommend checking the Steam Community Market or our knife skins database for current valuations rather than relying on static price lists.

Choosing the best case to open for a karambit depends on your priorities. If you want the highest conditional probability of your knife being a karambit, look for cases with the fewest total knife types in their rare pool. Fewer competing knife types means a better chance your rare drop is specifically a karambit.

Cost is also a major factor. Older and discontinued cases can cost significantly more to buy than newer ones. A case with slightly worse karambit odds but a fraction of the price per opening can be the better financial decision over many openings.

Keep in mind that case opening is never a profitable strategy on average. The expected return on most cases is below their opening cost (case price plus key). If you want a karambit, buying one directly from the market is almost always more cost-effective than trying to unbox one. For a broader value comparison, see our guide on the best CS2 cases to open.

Find more answers in our Skins & Cases FAQ hub.