“This is a custom-designed balisong, commonly known as a butterfly knife. The defining characteristic of this weapon is the fan-like opening of a freely pivoting blade, allowing rapid deployment or concealment. As a result, butterfly knives are outlawed in many countries.”―Official description
Overview
The Butterfly Knife is an iconic cosmetic weapon available to players in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Counter-Strike 2, recognized as a rare special (★) item within the game.
Originally introduced on July 1st, 2014, as part of the Operation Breakout update, the Butterfly Knife made its debut as the first rare special (★) item exclusive to its container, the Operation Breakout Weapon Case. This case offered Arms Deal finishes, making the knife a highly sought-after collectible. On March 15th, 2017, the Butterfly Knife became available in Chroma finishes with the introduction of the Spectrum Case. Its popularity continued to grow, leading to its inclusion in the Spectrum 2 Case on September 14th, 2017. The Butterfly Knife later reappeared in Gamma finishes, available in the Operation Riptide Case as of September 21st, 2021, coinciding with the launch of Operation Riptide.
The Butterfly Knife is purely a cosmetic item, sharing identical in-game performance with the default knife. Despite its lack of gameplay advantages, it is highly prized due to its unique aesthetics and rarity. Players can acquire this knife from various cases, including the Operation Breakout Weapon Case, Spectrum Case, Spectrum 2 Case, and Operation Riptide Case.
Trivia
The design of the Butterfly Knife appears to draw inspiration from the Terry Guinn Gargoyle V2, a popular balisong (another name for butterfly knives). Interestingly, the Butterfly Knife in its Lore finish is bugged, featuring a float range of 0-1 instead of the usual 0-0.85 that is characteristic of other Lore knives.
The knife also has unique animations that add to its appeal. There are two different draw animations that play at random. In one, the player flicks the knife open with a simple motion, while in the other, the player spins the knife open with an intricate flourish before gripping it. Additionally, there are three distinct inspect animations, each adding a different layer of style to the weapon. In one animation, the player flicks the knife forward and backward, balancing the bite handle on their fingers. In another, the knife is spun around the player’s thumb multiple times before being held in position. The third animation involves flicking the knife forward, spinning it around the thumb once, and then holding it.
Historically, the Butterfly Knife, also known as the Batangas Knife or Basilong, has its origins in the Philippines. Traditionally, these knives were used as straight razors for shaving before more modern razors became widespread in the region. Their practical design and the skill required to handle them have made butterfly knives a symbol of dexterity and finesse, both in real life and in the gaming world.
