Classic Knife | Case Hardened

Origin Story

The Classic Knife | Case Hardened features a distinctive patina finish, achieved by color case-hardening through the application of wood charcoal at high temperatures. Released on October 18, 2019, as part of the Cache and Release update, this knife is a rare special item from the CS20 Case. Its visual identity is defined by a mix of blue, purple, gold, and brown areas, with the exact pattern varying significantly by index. Collectors often seek out patterns with extensive blue coverage, known as "blue gems," which are particularly prized on the Classic Knife's slender blade. This knife appeals to a niche audience, including those with a fondness for the original Counter-Strike 1.6 aesthetic.

Drop Chance

Classic Knife | Case Hardened is a knife-tier skin, so standard Valve rarity odds don't apply. Knives drop at a combined rate of approximately 0.26% from supported cases before accounting for which knife type and finish you get. Valve doesn't publish individual knife or phase probabilities.

Skin Condition

Float range 0 to 1. Exteriors: Factory New, Minimal Wear, Field-Tested, Well-Worn, Battle-Scarred. StatTrak is available in FN, MW, FT, WW, BS.

• Factory New ($519.00): Colors are at their most vibrant, with strong blues, purples, and golds; minimal darkening appears on the blade's edges and tip.
• Minimal Wear ($253.59): Visual condition is very similar to Factory New, with only subtle softening of edge vibrancy and minute darkening on high-contact areas like the tip and spine.
• Field-Tested ($199.67): The patina remains fully present, but colors become less vibrant, with more darkened or greyish areas along the blade's edges and near the tip.
• Well-Worn ($171.82): A larger share of the blade surface appears darker and more worn, with the case-hardened color patches looking more faded and interspersed with worn metal.
• Battle-Scarred ($159.08): The patina is at its most faded, with extensive dark metal exposure particularly along the cutting edge, tip, and high-contact surfaces, while remaining colors can appear patchy.

Model

Case Hardened uses the legacy Classic Knife model, introduced with Cache and Release on October 18, 2019. The inspect animation and third-person appearance match the original CS:GO version.

How to Obtain

The Classic Knife | Case Hardened can be obtained as a rare special item from opening the CS20 Case. This case is no longer in the active drop pool, meaning its supply now comes from rare in-game drops and existing unopened cases. A StatTrak version is also available for kill tracking. Players can also acquire this knife directly from the Steam Community Market, third-party marketplaces, or case-opening sites.

Price Range

Classic Knife | Case Hardened ranges from $159.08 (Battle-Scarred) to $519.00 (Factory New). Field-Tested copies sit at $199.67. StatTrak versions carry a premium at every wear tier.


The current 7-day median is No Recent Price. The 90-day median is $195.00. The all-time median is $223.96. Volume averages 0 trades per day.

Visual Theme

Patina: It has been color case-hardened through the application of wood charcoal at high temperatures. This finish features a mix of blue, purple, gold, and brown areas, with the exact visible pattern varying heavily by pattern index. In first-person view, the upper part of the blade and spine are most visible during gameplay. Community discussions often compare blue-heavy patterns on Case Hardened knives to "blue gems."

Player Rating

Rating: 5.00 / 5
Votes: 1

Sticker Compatibility

Knives do not have sticker slots, so there are no direct sticker crafts for the Classic Knife | Case Hardened. However, some players consider pairing Case Hardened knives with blue or gold-themed gun crafts to create a cohesive inventory color scheme.