The complete guide to CSGO’s Doppler knives, quality, prices

Out of all of the many knives in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, one of those most desirable finishes that players seek is the Doppler. Besides looking incredibly flashy, what makes these finishes unique is the fact that there are different “phases” of each, with the phases showing off their own combination of colors on the knives’ blades.

At their most basic, Doppler finishes are a mix of red and blue. Technically, there are four phases to each Doppler finish. But there are actually three more variations that are much rarer than the others. The first two alternate phases are called “Ruby” and “Sapphire,” and owning one of these finishes can increase the value of the knife by as much as triple.

Everything you need to know about CSGO’s Doppler phases

The greatest of all Doppler phases is the one known as the “Black Pearl.” This blacked-out phase is one of the most sought after by collectors. Luckily, there are strict requirements for each phase, meaning it’s a relatively simple process to find out which is which. Each phase, its criteria, and its current pricing are all listed below so players can figure out just how much money might be sitting in their inventories.

Before jumping into each phase, it’s important to note that only certain knives can drop with a Doppler finish:

• Talon and Ursus 
• Karambit
• Butterfly
• Stiletto and Navaja
• Hunstman and Bowie
• Falchion and Shadow Daggers
• M9 Bayonet and Bayonet
• Flip Knife and Gut

These are the CSGO knives that cannot drop with a Doppler finish:

• Nomad
• Skeleton
• Survival
• Paracord
• Classic

Note that like most knife finishes, it’s likely that Doppler finishes will come to these knives in a future CSGO weapons cases.

CSGO’s famous Doppler phases explained 

Doppler Phase 1

Phase 1 Doppers are generally among the cheapest Dopplers around. This of course depends on the kind of knife a player is looking at purchasing, but Phase 1 Dopplers aren’t all that pretty. The colors are generally muddled, with about 80% of the knife trending towards a bluer color while the other 20% takes on a reddish hue. Because there isn’t any striking difference where the colors meet. Phase 1’s are usually plentiful and are available at reasonable prices.

Average Price: Phase 1’s can range anywhere from around $200 for a Gut Knife to upwards of $600 for the sought-after Karambit.

Doppler Phase 2

Phase 2 Dopplers are an interesting exception to the rule. With the blue and red colors combining to create what the community calls a “Pink Galaxy,” Phase 2 Doppler knives can carry a high price tag on the Steam Marketplace and other third-party sites. When the light catches these knives just right, they become an impressive show of colors, especially when the pattern is located on the play side of the knife. Due to the color scheme on Phase 2’s, they often cost more than their Phase 1 and Phase 3 counterparts.

These knives have about a 50/50 split between the red and blue, creating an awesome pink pattern that many players are on the lookout for.

Average Price: Pink Galaxy Phase 2’s can hit upwards of $800, with the price increasing or decreasing with the popularity of the knife. That said, they’re very rare on both the marketplace and other sites due to their immense popularity.

Doppler Phase 3

Phase 3 Dopplers are probably the most prolific of the Dopplers, simply because the colors on Phase 3 knives aren’t as eye-catching as the other phases. Parts of the knife end up almost totally black with hints of green. If a player is looking at a Doppler but is also trying to save a little money, the Phase 3 is their best choice.  While users will see the start of the blue blade that Phase 4’s are famous for, the majority of the blade is less impressive than some of the other phases. 

Average Price: Around $400, depending on the knife. As always, a butterfly knife will run a player much more than Phase 3 gut knife.

Doppler Phase 4

Finally, Phase 4 Dopplers are about as close as to the famous Doppler Sapphire as a player can get without spending over $1,000. Players are looking at around $500 for even a low-end Phase 4. The allure from Phase 4’s come from knives with solid, low floats limiting the green and black tints that are everywhere on the Phase 3s. With a low enough float, Phase 4 knives can reach and sometimes break the $1,000 mark. They’re still nowhere near as expensive as the three rarest forms of the Doppler paint scheme.

Average Price: Anywhere from $550 to $950 depending on the particular knife and float value.

CSGO’s rare Sapphire, Ruby, and Black Pearl Doppler patterns

Doppler Saphhire and Ruby

The Doppler Sapphire and Ruby knives are incredibly rare, sporting entirely red or blue coloring with no black or greenish tints on the blade. These knives regularly appear on third-party sites for well over $1,000, and for good reason. Opening one of these basically uses an entire life’s worth of luck, and those who are willing to pay for the privilege of owning one of these rare knives will be out a hefty sum of money.

The pictures speak for themselves. The red and blue blades are absolute headturners, especially on the high-end knives like the Talon and Karambit with their flashy animations.

Average Price: Ruby and Sapphire Dopplars tend to start around $1,400 and can run as high as $3,000.

Doppler Black Pearl

Finally, the Doppler Black Pearl is the rarest of the Doppler finishes. While the other phases show hints of what the Black Pearl could look like, nothing really compares to a true Black Pearl Doppler.  With a pearl finish, the Black Pearl is a Doppler finish that makes a statement. Like the famous M4A4 Howl, players remember when they see one.

If only Valve would let players drop their knives, maybe a few more players could hold one of these extremely rare knives in their digital hands.