CS2 Budget Knives
Cheapest Knife in CS2
See also: CS2 tools, guides, skins database, cases, weapon stats, pro player settings, map callouts, console commands.
Every knife type ranked by its cheapest live listing. All knives share identical stats — the price is pure fashion, so here's the least you can pay for each model right now.
Knife Types, Cheapest First
| # | Knife | Cheapest Finish | From | Priced Finishes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shadow Daggers | Bright Water | $33.09 | 36 |
| 2 | Navaja Knife | Rust Coat | $33.63 | 25 |
| 3 | Kukri Knife | Safari Mesh | $34.41 | 12 |
| 4 | Survival Knife | Safari Mesh | $35.59 | 25 |
| 5 | Paracord Knife | Safari Mesh | $35.78 | 25 |
| 6 | Bowie Knife | Safari Mesh | $38.97 | 36 |
| 7 | Gut Knife | Rust Coat | $39.64 | 36 |
| 8 | Huntsman Knife | Rust Coat | $44.42 | 36 |
| 9 | Ursus Knife | Safari Mesh | $45.74 | 25 |
| 10 | Falchion Knife | Safari Mesh | $45.88 | 36 |
| 11 | Classic Knife | Safari Mesh | $55.91 | 12 |
| 12 | Nomad Knife | Safari Mesh | $61.76 | 25 |
| 13 | Flip Knife | Safari Mesh | $101.32 | 36 |
| 14 | Skeleton Knife | Boreal Forest | $103.67 | 25 |
| 15 | Bayonet | Safari Mesh | $111.36 | 36 |
| 16 | Stiletto Knife | Boreal Forest | $113.24 | 25 |
| 17 | Talon Knife | Safari Mesh | $178.32 | 25 |
| 18 | M9 Bayonet | Safari Mesh | $252.36 | 36 |
| 19 | Karambit | Forest DDPAT | $344.10 | 36 |
| 20 | Butterfly Knife | Safari Mesh | $401.47 | 36 |
20 Cheapest Knife Skins Overall
Want a knife without paying at all? Check which cases drop each knife and what the trade-up route actually costs first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest knife in CS2?
Right now the cheapest way into a real knife is the Shadow Daggers — its Bright Water finish starts at $33.09. The full ranking above updates with each price snapshot; prices are dated 17 Sep 2026.
Why are budget knives so cheap?
Price follows demand, not function — every knife deals identical damage. Models like the Gut, Navaja, and Shadow Daggers are cheap because their looks are less popular, and dark camo-style finishes on any model cost less than clean, bright ones.
Did knife prices drop after the trade-up update?
Yes — since the October 2025 update let Covert trade-up contracts output knives, entry-level knife prices compressed across most models, with the budget tier hit hardest. Premium models like the Karambit and Butterfly held their value better.
Is a cheap knife worth it?
If you want the knife animations and inspects, yes — that's the whole product. As an investment, budget knives are the weakest holders of value and the least liquid at resale, so buy one to use, not to flip.