M9 Bayonet (★) | Fade - Honest Player Review
As a long-time CSGO player, let me break down this polarizing knife skin. Bottom line: visually decent but overpriced for what it offers. Best suited for niche aesthetics, not a must-have meta pick.

1. Looks: Clean Gradient… with Annoying Flaws

• Color Scheme: The blue-purple-pink fade feels fresh and "candy-like" under bright lighting, especially paired with light-themed gloves (e.g., Sport Gloves | Pandora’s Box).
• Major Downside: The gray transition zone near the handle-blade junction ruins the flow. Even max-fade templates can’t hide it, and low-fade versions (below 30%) look like they’ve been dipped in concrete.
• Vs. Other Knives: Fade works better on Butterfly or Talon knives (smoother gradients on larger surfaces). On the M9’s slim blade, the fade often looks cramped, especially near the tip.

2. Fade RNG: Pray to the Pattern Gods

• Fade Percentage: Ranges from 0% (mostly blue) to 100% (max pink). For M9s, 95%+ is considered "high fade" and costs a kidney (FN starts at $700+). Low fades (~50%) risk looking worse than a vanilla Doppler.
• Pattern Lottery: Focus on the blade’s color distribution. Some templates split pink/blue evenly; others drown in purple. Always inspect in community servers before buying.

3. Wear & Price: FN ≠ Flawless, FT is Budget-Friendly

• Wear Tolerance: M9 blades hide scratches well. Even a 0.06 Field-Tested (FT) looks nearly identical to Factory New (FN). Save 30% by going FT (400−500)overFN(400−500)overFN(600-700).
• Market Check: At this price range, a FN Crimson Web M9 (500) or Phase4DopplerM9(500)  or  Phase4DopplerM9(550) offers better value. Only hardcore fade fans should overpay for this.

4. Pro Scene? Don’t Buy the Hype

While pros like s1mple rock high-tier fade knives, M9 Fades are rare in tournaments. Most pros prefer Butterfly or Karambit fades for flashier animations and cleaner gradients.

Buying Tips: Ask Yourself…

1. Budget? If spending $700+, consider saving up for a Sapphire M9 or Butterfly Fade.
2. Can you tolerate the gray handle? It’s bearable on max settings but looks cheap on low graphics.
3. Fade or die? If not, Marble Fade or Autotronic M9s deliver better bang for your buck.

Final Verdict:
The M9 Fade is a "love it or hate it" skin. If you’re a minimalist or fade pattern nerd who can ignore the gray handle, it’s a flex in casual matches. But for value seekers or grinders, skip it—this knife’s price tag could buy you two Crimson Web M9s and still leave change.

(Pro tip: Inspect templates on CSFloat or Buff163 before pulling the trigger. Stay patient, don’t FOMO!)