Top 10 Cheapest CS2 Knives and Skins - How To Buy

With 15+ knife types available in CS2 and the average cost of a knife being upwards of $100+, it makes sense to go with the cheapest CS2 knives. The list below covers the cheapest knife types and below that you would also find the cheapest CS2 knives with skins.

Cheapest CS2 Knives You Can Buy

1. Navaja Knife

Navaja knife is certainly not the prettiest knife in CS2, which is perhaps why it’s cheap. It is not uncommon to find it selling for approximately $80, especially the vanilla variant. However, with time, the price of this knife is also heading upwards.

This knife made its debut in 2018. A few distinct features of this knife include the small blade and the subtle design. The subtle design is one of the reasons why it is so affordable. In CS2, any knife, low on the wow factor or the cool quotient retails for a lower price.

2. Gut knife

Gut knife is known for its hook shaped blade. The curved blade certainly makes it a collectors item. Not only that, the damage which it can inflict in close combat is another reason to buy it. It made its debut during the Arms Deal update, along with a few other knives. Good news about the gut knife is that the classic or the vanilla variant is indeed most popular.

Only reason why it sells for around $85 is because of the small size of this knife as everyone prefers a large and menacing knife. The problem with this knife is that you can't expect much appreciation for it unless it comes with very rare skin (covered below).

3. Shadow Daggers

Shadow daggers are high on the wow factor. Not only do they come in pairs, but they have their own unique animation. However, if you think they would be more effective because of the design, you are wrong. The animation and the design are cosmetic. In combat, they work the same as the classic knife.

Depending on the source you buy it from, shadow daggers too can cost you between $80 - $85. Of Course, the price increases with rare skin. While it's unique, since its price is volatile, you can't really buy it as an investment.

4. Survival knife

The Survival knife stands among the most unique knives on this list. It made its debut in 2019 but ever since then has become very famous due to its design. The serrations in the blade, the hook, and the gap make it look very aggressive. Above I spoke about how a gut knife is short, but if you are looking for a knife with a hook and longer blade, the survival knife certainly fulfills that requirement.

It also borrows a couple of features from the Huntsman knife. The reason for its popularity is the combination of features from various knives. If you are wondering about the cost, it's around $90.

5. Ursus knife

Ursus knife doesn't have much in terms of design or blade shape. That's why the number of skins available for this knife are ample. However, the knife hasn't been appreciated due to this wide availability. It has an average-looking handle and a thick blade that slopes toward the tip. Hardly any design element of this knife can grab your attention.

Similar to many other knives, it made its debut in 2018. Since most knives have stark design features and this one didn't, it didn't capture the attention of many players until the skins were released. You can buy it for around $105, depending on the marketplace you are buying it from.

6. Paracord Knife

Paracord knife is a late entrant in the CS scene. It debuted in late 2019 through The Shattered Web case. It's not uncommon for players to confuse it with the Ursus knife. However, one of the main differences is the holes in the blade. Apart from that, the handle design is also different.

What makes the Paracord knife such a good option is its animation. Seamless transition from one hand to another has certainly increased its demand. Since it retails for around $100, it's certainly one of the few knives with animation and is still in the budget range.

7. Huntsman knife

Do you prefer a knife with a heavier blade? If yes, it's best to go with the Huntsman knife. The knife made its debut in 2014 and was considered to be one of the most versatile knives for long.

It derives the name because of its usage as a survival knife. Another feature of this knife is the folding design. That's possible because of the sleek shape of this knife. You can use this knife for melee attacks or utility functions. As for the price, currently, you can buy this knife for $105. It's hard to buy this knife below $100.

8. Bowie knife

Bowie knife made its debut in 2016 in the Wildfire operation. Knife was an instant hit because of its popularity in the offline world. Such is the cultural significance of this knife that David Bowie adopted the name of the knife as his second name. The popularity of this knife can be attributed to the blade design.

Black teeth on the blade help it stand out from most other knives. Add to that the curved point blade, and the knife looks even more aggressive. The knife is associated with times when firearms were pretty basic compared to what we have today. The knife retails for around $100 in most CS marketplaces and, therefore, is a good deal.

9. Stiletto knife

The distinct blade of the stiletto is what sets it apart. The sharp tip certainly imparts a more dangerous look. However, most skins don't do justice to this design, and that's why this knife still features on the cheapest CS2 knife list. Since the blade narrows towards the tip, most skin designers can't do much in such a small space, which limits the effectiveness of skins for this knife.

Stiletto knife was released in 2018. While it quickly gained the fancy of CS players, the price didn't witness much appreciation. Currently, the cheapest you can buy it for is around $160. However, that is a significant step up from the knife discussed above.

10. Flip knife

The flip knife was first introduced in 2013 in "The Arms Deal" update. A single look at the blade of this knife will captivate you because of the curved blade design and the serrations at the bottom of the blade. The curved blade provides it a graceful look. The only downside is that despite its good design, it doesn't come with animations.

Nevertheless, its unique shape has made sure that it has always remained in demand. At a price of approximately $140, it might not be the cheapest, but it certainly falls in the budget category.

Top 10 Cheapest CS2 Knife Skins

Experienced CS players would know that the plain or vanilla knives are not always the cheapest. Many times, a knife with a certain skin is even cheaper. Therefore, to help you buy the cheapest CS2 knives, I will now cover the cheapest knives with their cheapest skins.

1. Navaja Knife | Safari Mesh

Navaja Knife | Safari Mesh was released in 2018. Knife adorns spray painted beige and khaki color. Since the spray painting is done through a mesh, you will notice pattern on the entire knife body. There are no special or rare variations of this skin. You can buy this knife for $75, making it one of the cheapest CS2 knives.

2. Shadow Daggers | Boreal Forest

Shadow Daggers | Boreal Forest was released in 2015 in the Shadow Boxing Update. The camouflage pattern is what sets this skin apart. This pattern uses a combination of green, brown, and Khaki colors on the blade. As for the handle, it sports the Khaki color. Currently, the skin is available for around $78.

3. Gut Knife | Boreal Forest

Gut Knife | Boreal Forest isn't new since it was launched in 2013 in the The Arms Deal update. The good news, however, is that the knife is available in 11 cases. That's the reason why the skin hasn't appreciated much in price.

If you look at the pattern, it, too, uses a camouflage pattern similar to the knife discussed above. Blade comprises 3 colors: green, brown, and khaki, whereas the handle only sports dark green. Currently, you can buy it for $82.

Read more in our: Top 15 Most Expensive Cases in CS2 and How To Get Them

4. Survival Knife | Urban Masked

Survival Knife | Urban Masked is a relatively new entrant on the CS scene. It was released in 2019. If you look at the pattern, the entire knife comprises numerous shades of gray. According to the skin description, masking tape is used as a stencil to apply these colors. As for the price, the knife is currently available for $90.

5. Paracord Knife | Scorched

Paracord Knife | Scorched has been around since 2019, when it was launched in The Shattered Web Case. The colors used in this skin are black and beige, which are spray painted along the length and breadth of the knife. While the colors are different from the traditional camouflage ones, they create a similar effect. The knife is currently available for $90.

6. Bowie Knife | Ultraviolet

Bowie Knife | Ultraviolet has been around since 2017. It's available in Spectrum and Spectrum 2 cases. This skin closely resembles the Night skin for the same knife. The only difference is that this one is painted and, therefore, has more visible features. The blade of the knife has a matte black color with purple near the guard in the handle. Apart from that, there are no other patterns in this skin. Since it's subtle, it's available for $98.

7. Huntsman Knife | Rust

Huntsman Knife | Rust made its debut in 2017 in the update Take a trip to the Canals. You can bag it by opening the cases Spectrum and Spectrum 2. If you look at the pattern, it involves the knife blade being covered in rust unevenly. Color varies depending on the skin wear. It can change from grayish-blue to orange-brown. Handle, however, is left untouched by this skin. You can buy this knife for $105.

8. Ursus Knife | Forest DDPAT

Ursus Knife | Forest DDPAT was first introduced in 2016 in A New Horizon update. Currently, the cases Horizon and Danger Zone offer you a chance to get this knife.

The skin imparts a camouflage pattern to the blade. The colors in the pattern are green, beige, brown, and khaki. As for the handle, it is dark green. The knife is currently available for $115.

9. Stiletto Knife | Safari Mesh

Stiletto Knife | Safari Mesh has been available since 2016 when A New Horizon update was launched. Similar to one of the other skins, it, too, is available in the Danger Zone and Horizon case. Beige and Khaki colors are used to paint the knife. As for the stencil, the knife uses mesh fencing. The cost of this knife currently stands at $160.

10. Flip knife | Rust Coat

Flip knife | Rust Coat is one of the oldest skins on this list since it was released in 2015 during the Full Spectrum update. Its price hasn't appreciated much because it's available in all chroma cases. Similar to other rust skins, the blade is covered in an uneven rust layer. The color of the blade varies depending on the wear. The handle is untouched. Currently, it's available for $140 - $150.

Things to consider before buying the cheapest CS2 knife

Before buying any knife, consider the following.

1. Rarity

The rarity of the knife, as well as the skin that it adorns, matters a lot. Of course, the rarer these are, the better the knife's value would be. However, that also means you won't get it cheap. Therefore, buying the cheapest knife will always be a balance between buying rare and buying what's within your budget.

2. Game hype

If a game update is launched, the prices of the knives and skins go up. Basically, any event that drives more players to the game will also increase the prices of knives and skins. Therefore, before buying a knife, consider this and decide accordingly.

3. Design

The more aesthetically pleasing elements or patterns the knife has, the higher its value will be. The same is true for skins as well. If you are getting a skin with more colors and aesthetically pleasing patterns for cheaper than a skin having a couple of colors, in most cases, it makes sense to get the knife and skin with more colors. So, do pay attention to the design and colors of the knife.

4. Animations

Knives that have their own animations are valued highly. Let’s say 2 knives are at the same price but one has its own animation and the other one doesn’t, it's always better to buy the knife with animation. Such a knife is more likely to appreciate in value over a period of time.

5. Wear

Always pay attention to the float number of the knife(varies from 0 to 1). It indicates the amount of wear and tear the knife has undergone. The lower the value, the better it is. If you buy a knife with high float value at a premium, you will never be able to recoup your investment. That's the reason you should always consider the float value when buying a knife.

Read more in our: Best CS2 Guns and Weapons

Where to buy the cheapest CS2 knife?

You have 3 options when it comes to getting CS2 knives.

1. Official marketplace

Steam marketplace is the official place to buy such knives. Since you need to deposit money in your Steam account, it's also secure. The only problem is the higher prices on this marketplace because Valve charges for every sale.

2. Third party marketplaces

If you want to buy cheap, it's best to go with third-party marketplaces. There are numerous such marketplaces like Tradit.gg, CSMONEY, Skinport, etc. Usually, prices on these marketplaces are lower, and inventory is reasonable. Buying from these marketplaces can save you a lot of money.

Also, unlike the Steam market, these marketplaces don't have a cap of $2,000. Most have secure payment gateways and have been around for a few years, which means they are indeed trustworthy.

3. Trading

Trading skins with other players is another way to get a better skin. However, it means you must vet every trader you're dealing with to ensure he/she is not a scammer, which is time-consuming.

Tips to buy cheapest CS2 knife

Before you go on a knife-buying spree, keep the following tips in mind.

1. Buy only from reputed sellers

On most platforms, you can view the feedback the seller has got in the past. It's best to audit the seller before initiating the transaction. This ensures you don't get scammed.

2. Use secure payment gateways

I won't advocate dealing with the seller directly, but if you are doing that, at least ensure you are using a secure payment gateway. Even when depositing money on third-party marketplaces, it's best to check the payment gateways offered by such websites and only go ahead when trusted options are offered.

3. Verify prices

Merely checking prices on a single marketplace puts you at risk of paying inflated prices for a knife. A much better approach is to check the prices of a knife across marketplaces. That helps you get the best deals.

Also, keep in mind that if you are getting a certain knife at a hefty discount only from a single seller, it might be too good to be true. Checking prices across marketplaces helps you avoid scams as well.

FAQs

Are CS2 knives worth it?

Yes, if you enjoy the game that much. Keep in mind that it's a digital resource, and you might or might not be able to flip it. Only buy if you can afford it, and you are going to use it. Knife prices usually are pretty volatile, and therefore, you shouldn't buy it as an investment.

Which knife to buy CS2?

Flip knives, Ursus, and Paracord have gone up in price in the last 1 year. These seem to be a good bet, but keep in mind that knife prices are extremely volatile. However, you need to also understand that the skin of the knife matters a lot. The rarer the skin, the better the chance of appreciation.

Should I wait to sell my CS2 knife?

If you want to sell your CS2 knife, it's best to sell it when there is hype around the game. That can be during the launch of a new version or an update being launched, etc. During those times, you are likely to get a better price for your CS2 knife.

Why are CS2 knives so expensive?

The probability of getting a CS2 knife from a case is around 0.26%, which means they are extremely rare. The rarity is what fuels the prices of CS2 knives.

Wrapping it up

If you don't have thousands of dollars to spend on CS2 knives, check out the cheapest CS2 knives highlighted above, and you can surely find one that matches your budget. Choosing from this list ensures that CS2 knives aren't out of your grasp.

As always, if you want to boost your CS2 rank, check out our CS 2 premier rating boost and CS 2 competitive rank boost services.