Talon Knife Fade Guide
It’s no wonder that the Talon Knife is one of the most sought-after items in the game, thanks to its sharp design and bold edges. Now, picture it paired with the Fade skin’s vibrant pattern — it’s bound to steal the show in any match, with players often going nuts in the chat when something this striking pops in a round. Sure, it’s not on the level of a Dragon Lore or Blue Gem, but it certainly earns a well-deserved spot on the list of must-have skins.
In this guide, we’ll dive into what makes this knife finish so special, break down the various patterns, and show you how you can snag one for your collection!
What’s Special About the Talon Knife Fade Skins?
The Fade skin has been a fan favorite in the CS community for years, cherished for its mesmerizing, shifting blend of purple, pink, and yellow. It first made waves with knives like the Karambit and Butterfly Knife, but they also got a bit old. Players wanted something fresh, and Valve saw the opportunity for something new. That’s how we got the Talon Knife Fade, which has since made a serious splash in the community.
The standout feature of any Fade skin is the percentage of the weapon/knife covered by the gradient. A perfect "Full Fade" completely coats the blade with vibrant colors, leaving no dull metallic areas. What really makes the Talon Knife Fade patterns fascinating is how the percentages of fade coverage dictate the rarity and value.
We’ll go over the key points that any newbie trader should know. It’s also a fun read for casual gamers. So buckle up!
Talon Knife Fade Percentages
Understanding the types of patterns is essential if you want to figure out which Talon Knife Fade skin is the best fit for your collection. Let’s take a closer look at the different percentages and how they impact both the look and rarity of the knife.
Here are two prime examples are the extremes: 80% and 100% Fade.
80% Pattern #527
100% Pattern #146
The visual differences are obvious between these two, but let’s dig deeper into each group.
100% Full Fade
Fade | Patterns |
100% | 16 129 146 152 241 281 292 332 344 359 393 412 541 602 628 649 673 688 701 743 777 792 918 994 |
Each best Talon Knife Fade seed belongs to this group. Made up of about 80% crimson, 10% pink, and 20% yellow, this CS2 Talon Fade proudly earns the name “Full Fade.” It features the maximum amount of fade coverage possible.
If you’re aiming to trade a 100% Fade Talon Knife, you’ll want to double-check that it’s truly 100% and not a 99% or 98% version, which are often misleadingly called “fake Full Fade” (FFI). All you need to do is to inspect the knife’s pattern index and compare it to the table. If you spot a match, you’re in the clear — that knife is the real deal.
The best Talon Fade seed with 100% covering will set you back more than the average Fade, and its rarity makes it even more coveted.
100% Pattern #146, Price: ~$2,000
99–98% Fake Full Fade
Fade | Patterns |
99% | 8 14 32 48 58 108 112 126 182 188 202 204 213 230 233 243 252 274 337 340 356 378 405 444 452 454 457 471 522 578 607 614 621 631 652 653 660 683 685 702 705 728 732 736 761 770 773 780 787 795 803 826 832 867 873 874 876 908 923 949 971 982 988 1000 |
98% | 5 68 121 149 156 165 171 177 178 206 238 287 370 406 461 493 499 516 539 545 546 589 591 637 655 656 672 696 706 764 766 817 844 854 868 922 959 966 977 997 |
We’ve already mentioned that Fake Full Fades, despite being extremely valuable and rare, come with a slightly lower price tag than the true Full Fade. Be careful here and make sure to inspect the pattern index before committing to a purchase. Many websites will help you identify the correct float, seed, and pattern, as there’s no visible difference between FFI and Full Fade even if you inspect them in-game!
99% Pattern #356, Price: ~$1,800
98% Pattern #68, Price: ~$1,800
97-90%
Fade | Patterns |
97% | 27 28 90 195 232 329 351 372 397 402 404 441 459 473 483 537 553 559 561 590 626 632 710 725 727 753 756 785 791 805 809 810 818 858 941 962 972 976 |
96% | 9 60 71 110 125 183 196 203 216 222 234 254 266 307 309 315 321 328 333 400 448 485 496 506 535 582 647 674 691 869 909 930 931 948 980 989 |
95% | 3 62 98 138 148 170 304 334 354 364 368 411 413 415 438 445 463 489 515 555 569 570 593 605 606 624 630 663 667 670 717 723 746 794 812 822 845 846 899 958 |
94% | 0 1 4 42 45 54 102 142 162 253 262 269 280 296 311 335 353 384 385 387 388 436 451 507 540 547 579 598 611 642 678 693 767 853 894 907 939 |
93% | 20 49 66 96 113 143 151 160 164 184 185 189 217 220 246 250 258 310 325 373 425 450 479 480 530 532 552 574 580 610 680 689 709 716 733 776 783 820 843 929 |
92% | 24 31 88 106 116 174 193 218 226 235 284 286 303 369 374 394 419 443 464 477 492 498 504 526 529 531 551 560 594 616 627 646 699 730 744 852 865 919 935 969 992 998 999 |
91% | 7 13 39 59 72 119 134 153 166 190 194 209 259 265 290 360 371 383 408 409 423 432 469 595 600 603 638 659 684 694 715 720 750 816 839 857 859 861 893 896 913 928 951 954 973 |
90% | 44 75 77 83 115 231 237 244 248 279 317 349 352 355 386 410 434 490 502 510 523 650 675 711 731 772 871 883 926 986 |
As you can tell, the pink hues begin to spread across the blade and become more noticeable as the fade percentage drops below 97%. You’ll also see less yellow near the handle, with the crimson shades shifting down, pushed along by the purple tones.
The price for knives in this range is generally a bit lower than the top-tier ones, mainly because statistically speaking, you have higher chances of getting a Talon from this group, and they’re more available in the market. But stay sharp! Avoid shady websites that have an endless supply of everything at all times—they’re usually not what they claim to be.
97% Pattern #473, Price: ~$1,500
95% Pattern #899, Price: ~$1,500
92% Pattern #303, Price: ~$1,500
90% Pattern #711, Price: ~$1,500
89-80%
Comprising around 40% crimson, 60% purple, and 0% yellow colors, this CS2 Fade Talon Knife is officially the worst Talon Fade pattern. But don’t let that fool you — it is still extremely cool to have one of these. It’s just the least valued version out of all Talon Fade patterns.
It’s quite common: you can come across this pattern in low floats (with Minimal Wear being the lowest) that still have clean edges and no visible damage. That doesn’t automatically make it cheaper, though! As we know, knives in Minimal Wear condition can sometimes end up costing more than the Factory New ones due to the limited range of float values and how it all plays out in the market.
88% Pattern #888, Price: ~$1,300
86% Pattern #991, Price: ~$1,300
83% Pattern #430, Price: ~$1,300
80% Pattern #763, Price: ~$1,300
How to Get CS2 Talon Fade Skins?
Scoring a Talon Knife Fade in CS2 isn’t as straightforward as simple as picking one up from the marketplace. Because of their rarity and demand for high-percentage Fades, finding one requires patience and a significant investment.
If you’re aiming for a high-percentage Fade pattern, you’ll likely need to dig deep into third-party trading sites or participate in some private auctions. Simply waiting around for one to show up on the Steam Community Market likely won’t cut it, especially if you’re hunting for the rare variations of the Fade Talon Knife. Prices for Full and High Fade knives can easily hit thousands of dollars, depending on the skin’s condition and rarity, so prepare to shell out some serious cash.
We can’t stress enough how important it is to do your homework before making a purchase. While some traders may claim their knife is rare, only the exact pattern number will confirm the fade percentage. Most trading sites allow you to verify the exact pattern of a knife by checking its float value or pattern seed, so you’ll know exactly what you’re getting.
Alternatively, you could try your luck by opening cases in hopes of landing a Talon Knife Fade. However, with the odds of unboxing stacked against you, this might end up costing you more in the long run than just buying the knife outright.
Conclusion
The Talon Knife Fade in CS2 remains to be a fan favorite due to its eye-catching gradient and rarity. Understanding the percentages and pattern seeds is key to finding the best Talon Knife Fade skin for your collection. Whether you’re aiming for a Full Fade or happy with lower percentage, the Talon Knife is one of the game’s most stylish and coveted knives. With this guide, you should now have a deeper understanding of what makes the best Talon Knife Fade pattern, as well as how to pick out the best one to your collection. Good luck!
