The first skins in CS:GO appeared about eleven years ago, and since then, collecting and trading them have turned into a separate economy. Although Valve developers have experimented with various themes in skin design over the years, releasing new cases and selecting the best community works, many skins from the early collections remain as popular as ever. Here's a selection of skins that can rightfully be called timeless classics.
AWP Asiimov
The famous AWP skin was added to the game in 2014, becoming the first in a series of items named after the famous sci-fi writer. AWP Asiimov drops from the Phoenix Operation weapon case. Its popularity quickly grew within the community, and over the years, it has been seen in the hands of renowned players such as m0NESY, s1mple, and kennyS.
USP-S Stainless
This skin from 2014 features a practical and minimalist design. The body of the USP-S Stainless is painted in black and gray tones. Compared to other items in this list, it may seem too simple, but it remains popular among players who prefer realistic designs or use plain skins as a base for stickers.
M4A1-S Dark Water
Another option that appeals to fans of camouflage skins in CS2 is M4A1-S Dark Water. The black-and-gray geometric pattern covering this rifle’s surface isn’t too flashy, but the design remains quite popular.
AK-47 Case Hardened
AK-47 Case Hardened became one of the skins that sparked a new trend — collecting skins with rare pattern indexes. There are a thousand possible patterns for the texture on the gun's surface, and some can be worth thousands of dollars, especially if one color dominates the design. However, regardless of the pattern index, this rifle with its golden, silver, and blue-purple streaks is impressive, having been introduced in the very first case back in August 2013.
AWP Boom
This skin, which appeared in 2013 in the eSports 2013 Case, was one of the first designs to replace camouflage patterns with bold graphics. Initially, developers preferred more realistic muted tones, but the popularity of AWP Boom showed them that comic or graffiti-style patterns would be just as well-liked by players. Unsurprisingly, this skin is still in demand today.
Desert Eagle Hypnotic
Skins with optical effects also made their debut in the early cases of CS2. The surface of Desert Eagle Hypnotic, introduced in the CS:GO Weapon Case, is adorned with radiating circles that distort its shape and create a hypnotic effect. Perhaps they will even confuse your opponent!
Desert Eagle Blaze
In terms of fame, Desert Eagle Blaze can probably compete with AWP Asiimov. This pistol design, with flames wrapping around the barrel, is instantly recognizable. Its only downside is the high price. Due to the fact that this skin is no longer obtainable from cases, its value continues to rise. If you’re considering skins as an investment, this is definitely one to watch.
AK-47 Fire Serpent
The design inspiration for AK-47 Fire Serpent, added to the game in September 2013, came from traditional Aztec motifs, and the image on the body depicts a fire serpent revered in their mythology. Despite much of the gun’s surface being unpainted, this skin remains popular to this day.
AK-47 Red Laminate
AK-47 Red Laminate, released in August 2013, is a more minimalist skin option for the rifle in CS2. Despite only using two colors—black and red—it remains quite distinctive. The paint enhances the natural wood texture of the weapon, transforming it into a striking pattern.
Karambit Vanilla
Like the weapon designs, knives didn’t immediately become as bright and unique as they are today. Valve initially added “vanilla” knife versions—items that replaced default knives but didn’t yet have unique patterns. Some may prefer this Karambit version, where nothing distracts from the knife’s unique shape.
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