Valve introduced knife skins with the first-ever weapon skin case in 2013 as part of the Arms Deal update. Since then, the CS2 community has embraced them for their exclusivity, intricate designs, and unique animations.

Like many players, you’ve probably dreamed of owning a knife skin at least once. If you’re on a budget but still want to add one to your inventory, this guide will help you find the least expensive knife in CS2. We’ll take a closer look at the cheapest (CS:GO) CS2 knife available so you can get a stylish blade without spending a fortune.

In article you will find:

What Makes CS2 (CS:GO) Knife Cheaper?

The contrast in the prices of skins for knives is astronomical. The cheapest CS2 (CS:GO) knives cost around $60, but the price tags of some of the knives can reach tens of thousands of dollars. There are several factors that impact the price of CS2 knife skins.

Firstly, there are nineteen different styles of CS2 knife skins available today, and some of the styles tend to cost more than others. Here’s a general price ranking for CS2 (CS:GO) knives in 2025, from the most expensive knife to the cheapest, based on market trends:

High-End Knives:

• Karambit: Prices range from $5,000 to over $20,000, depending on the specific skin and condition. ​
• Butterfly Knife: Typically between $730 and $1,600, with certain rare skins reaching higher prices. ​
• M9 Bayonet:Generally priced from $190 to $700, influenced by skin rarity and wear.
• Skeleton Knife:Ranges from $212 to $630, depending on the skin and condition. ​
• Talon Knife: Prices vary between $5,000 and $9,200, particularly for sought-after skins like the Doppler Sapphire. ​

Mid-Tier Knives:

• Bayonet: Typically between $190 and $700, depending on the specific skin and wear level. ​
• Flip Knife: Prices range from $140 to $360, influenced by skin type and condition. ​
• Stiletto Knife:Generally priced between $192 and $560, depending on the skin and wear.
• Ursus Knife:Ranges from $120 to $340, influenced by skin rarity and condition. ​
• Nomad Knife: Typically between $130 and $400, depending on the specific skin and wear level. ​

Budget-Friendly Knives:

• Huntsman Knife: Prices range from $112 to $400, influenced by skin type and condition. ​
• Paracord Knife: Generally priced between $94 and $255, depending on the skin and wear. ​
• Survival Knife: Ranges from $95 to $180, influenced by skin rarity and condition. ​
• Bowie Knife: Typically between $99 and $405, depending on the specific skin and wear level. ​
• Gut Knife: Prices range from $60 to $165, influenced by skin type and condition. ​
• Navaja Knife: Generally priced between $93 and $277, depending on the skin and wear. ​
• Shadow Daggers: Ranges from $93 to $198, influenced by skin rarity and condition.

In addition, the condition of the knife skin varies the price. As the float value rises from Factory New to Battle-Scarred, the value of the skin decreases. It works for every weapon and glove skin in CS2 as well, not just knives. Other factors that impact a skin’s worth are its popularity, rarity of a featured pattern, StatTrak™ availability, etc. 

So, are there any knife skins that are cheap enough to fit a limited budget, but still decent to use?

Top Cheap Knives in CS2 (CS:GO)

We believe that the coolest-looking knife doesn’t have to be the most expensive one. If you’re not willing to spend a fortune on your CS inventory, we’ve compiled a list of the best cheap CS2 knives available for budgets under $70, $120, and $160.

Now, let’s find out which budget-friendly CS2 (CS:GO) knife you can get.

Best CS2 (CS:GO) Knife Under $70

As we learned earlier, the Navaja knife style is the cheapest knife in CS2. It first appeared in the game in 2018 and gained popularity not for its design but for its affordability. It has a tiny blade and trivial animations compared to other knives represented on the market. Nonetheless, there are Navaja skins that are worth considering buying.

Moving forward, Shadow Daggers come right after Navaja in the “price tier list”. This knife style is quite unique as it gets you not one but two daggers to slay the backs of your enemies with. 

For this category, we picked two skins for the Navaja Knife and one for the Shadow Daggers. 

Navaja Knife | Damascus Steel – $67 (FT)

“Finally, a weapon strong enough to match your resolve.”

In our humble opinion, Navaja Knife | Damascus Steel is one of the cheapest (CS:GO) CS2 knives you can get while still maintaining a stylish look. No matter how high the float value of this skin gets, Damascus Steel does not get any scratches; only the blade darkens. This skin is stylish yet reasonably priced. Even in field-tested condition, the knife looks good, and it sells for $67.

Shadow Daggers | Rust Coat – $69 (WW)

“Some people don’t need to hide how dirty their deeds are.”

While this skin comes from one of the unpopular series, the amount of rust covering these daggers does not make them less deadly for your enemies. Shadow Daggers | Rust Coat is an optimal choice if you are looking for affordable knife skin and you are not really a fan of colorful cosmetic items. These daggers in Well-Worn condition will cost you $69. 

Navaja Knife | Stained – $70 (WW)

“If you think it’s messy now, wait until you see it under a blacklight.”

Here is another Navaja-styled knife for you to consider acquiring. Navaja Knife | Stained was given a forced patina, and the pattern adorning its blade was made by dripping lemon juice and drops of mustard on its blade. The $70 price tag is rather humble for such skin in Well-Worn condition. 

Best CS2 (CS:GO) Knife Under $120

Further, you will find three more skins for the Gut Knife, Falchion Knife, and Navaja Knife. Each of them cost no more than $120. 

Gut Knife | Slaughter – $105 (FT)

“Valeria doesn’t pay Javier to ask questions… she pays him to pry out answers.”

Slay, king! Frightening name, frightening design, not-so-frightening price – this is why we couldn’t miss out on mentioning Gut Knife | Slaughter. The blade of this cheapest CS2 (CS:GO) knife is coated with aluminum, chrome paints, and a red translucent paint layer. The knife also has an unpainted wooden handle. The Field-Tested wear level is the highest one this skin can have, and it sells for $105. 

Falchion Knife | Freehand – $115 (MW)

A deep purple base and a detailed hand-drawn pattern made with a metallic marker are what make Falchion Knife | Freehand stand out. This cheap CS2 knife skin is vibrant and eye-catching. While it is available in all wear levels, it is quite affordable even in Minimal Wear condition as it costs only $115.

Navaja Knife | Marble Fade – $120 (FN)

“The blade is made of many colors, but soon it all looks red.”

The first actually flamboyant skin on our list is Navaja Knife | Marble Fade. The color palette of this skin is blue, yellow, and red. The placement of colored areas depends on the pattern index that shifts the gradient along the blade. A Factory New condition variant will cost around $120. It’s the best cheap knife in the CS2 Marble Fade series if the price is your main deciding factor.

Best CS2 Knife Under $160

Now, we’re getting to the most interesting part of our list. As the budget increases, so does the variety of color options available for knife skins. If you’re looking for a cheap CS2 knife that stands out, these five options for the Navaja Knife, Shadow Daggers, Survival Knife, and Gut Knife are worth considering—all available for under $160. Whether you prefer a bold, vibrant design or a more classic aesthetic, these best cheap knives in CS2 offer a perfect balance of style and affordability.

Navaja Knife | Doppler – $135 (FN)

“Getting lost in its color can prove fatal.”

Doppler skin series is known for having several phases. Each phase hugely differs from the other in color. The most expensive phases of this skin family are Ruby, Sapphire, and Black Pearl. However, you can find common variants of Navaja Knife | Doppler in Factory New condition that has a price of $135, or search for Minimal Wear or Field-Tested skins for an even lower price.

Shadow Daggers | Blue Steel – $135 (FN)

“This is the malbec of weapon design – Booth, Arms Dealer.”

Freeze your enemies to death. Shadow Daggers | Blue Steel have been cold-blued, and they look like they are frozen. The skin features a scratchy pattern in blue, green, and purple colors. This is probably the best cheap knife skin for Shadow Daggers style within this price range. For a Factory New condition, you would have to pay around $135. 

Survival Knife | Case Hardened – $150 (WW)

“A little color never hurt anyone.”

We can say confidently that this one from the Case Hardened skin family is the coolest-looking knife. No matter which style you decide to go for, it’s the pattern that makes it pop. Sadly, there is no way to get a Blue Gem variant operating on such a low budget, but common patterns of the Survival Knife | Case Hardened in Well-Worn condition cost around $150. 

Gut Knife | Autotronic – $155 (FT)

Gut Knife | Autotronic is the cheapest knife in CS’s Autotronic skin family. Anodized red paint and gray steel are an eye-catchy match that makes this skin worth its price. Both the blade and handle of the knife have parts of steel mesh inserted to lighten the weight and boost the look. You can get Gut Knife | Autotronic for $155 in Field-Tested wear level. 

Gut Knife | Lore – $160 (FT)

The Lore skin family is one of the legendary and pricey ones, and it features AWP | Dragon Lore, the most expensive skin for AWP. Nonetheless, there are also skins that can fit into our established budget. Gut Knife | Lore, being one of them, has a golden chain pattern on its blade and a wooden handle painted dark green. In Field-Tested condition, Gut Knife | Lore will cost you around $160. 

How to Find Cheapest (CS:GO)​ CS2 Knife Skins

Alongside our list of the best cheap CS2 (CS:GO) knife skinsthat are both stylish and budget-friendly, we’ve put together a few practical tips to help you find affordable, great-looking skins on your own:

• Look for skins with a Patina finish.Unlike other finishes, Patina skins don’t get scratches as their float value increases. Instead, they only darken over time, making them a durable and cost-effective choice. Read our article about the finish styles of CS2 skins.
• Don’t buy skins based purely on popularity.Trends come and go, but choosing a skin you genuinely like can save you money and ensure long-term satisfaction.
• Track market fluctuations.Skin prices can spike or drop unexpectedly, so avoid impulse purchases. If a knife skin you like is slightly out of your budget, patience might pay off—it could become more affordable over time.
• Explore exclusive deals on Hellcase.We offer some of the best knife skins at the lowest prices, making it easier to get a great deal on your next CS2 knife.

At the end of the day, what makes Counter-Strike (CS2/CS:GO) special is its vast variety of skins in different styles, colors, and price ranges. No matter your budget or preferences, there’s always a knife skin out there that’s perfect for you.

To Conclude!

Owning a knife skin in CS2 doesn’t have to be expensive. With plenty of affordable options available, you can find a design that fits your style without stretching your budget. The cheapest CS:GO knife may not be the flashiest, but it can still add personality to your inventory. If you’re looking for a great balance of price and aesthetics, check out the best cheap knife CS2 options and upgrade your loadout today!