Cheapest CS2 (ex. CS:GO) Knives to Buy — Updated January 2026

How We Evaluate “Cheapest” in 2026

Our baseline is the Steam Community Market, where we primarily look at the 30-day median and overall sales volume. This eliminates fraudulent or faulty listings. Keep in mind that purchasing through Steam incurs a 15% fee (5% Steam cut + 10% CS2 fee), and wallet funds are linked to the ecosystem and cannot be withdrawn.

Numerous factors influence knife pricing. The most significant one is wear or float. Higher floats (battle-scarred, well-worn) sometimes result in reduced admission prices. Furthermore, StatTrak boosts rates only for the counter, not the visualizations. Skins with patterns, such as Case Hardened, can vary dramatically; a "blue gem" is far more costly than a plain design. What appears "cheap" may also fluctuate due to regional pricing and currency swings.

Knife Profiles (What to Look For)

Navaja Knife 

The Navaja is typically the most affordable option among Counter-Strike knives. The short blade and gentle movements reduce demand. Skins like Stained or Forest DDPAT are common entrance points, whereas Case Hardened is distinguished by its distinctive patterns, which can be rather startling if you come across a noteworthy variant. Stay ahead of the curve by continuously watching live pricing as trends shift.

Gut Knife

The Gut has always been a beginner's knife. This is due to its frequent drops in many previous cases. The supply is enormous and the animation is straightforward. Rust Coat and Stained are examples of  the safest first-purchase families since they often stays inside the budget territory. Just be sure to check the float before purchasing, since heavy wear often results in the lowest entrance.

Shadow Daggers

Some gamers love Shadow Daggers, while others dislike them, and this divides the community. That is exactly why prices fluctuate. As demand drops, finishes such as Safari Mesh and Urban Masked may become relatively affordable. In contrast, flamboyant skins may occasionally increase. It is a danger for a low-budget customer, but it can be mitigated if you thoroughly research Steam listings.

Falchion Knife

Although the Falchion has a distinctive swing animation, it is not as popular as Butterfly Knives or gaudy Karambits. That maintains it inside the budget territory. Rust and Stained Coat often fall into the lower price range. A good pick if you're looking for something unique without breaking the bank. Falchion might bounce around, so always check the live pricing.

Flip Knife

The Flip Knife, which often falls into the "budget but respectable" category, has a simple, small shape that feels well in the hand. Skins like African Mesh or Forest DDPAT usually appear at the lowest entry point. It's not ostentatious, but compared to using the basic knife, it seems like a true enhancement. Once again, a real-time pricing check is crucial.

Buy Smart (Safety & Fees)

The easiest and safest way to get started is via the Steam Community Market. Keep in mind that you cannot withdraw your wallet balance as actual cash, and you should budget around 15% for combined costs.

Always inspect the knife before you purchase it. To check the wear or pattern, use the in-game or browser inspect link. That’s where you catch whether you’re getting an actual bargain or not.

Finally, stay away from third-party exchanges that go beyond the terms of the Steam Subscriber Agreement. Within Counter-Strike, everything is intended for personal, non-commercial usage. The risk of losing your account is not worth it.

FAQ

1. Why did the “cheapest knife” change this month? 

   Knife values fluctuate in response to demand, supply (case openings), and sometimes even patch upgrades. In two weeks, what's affordable today could not be.

2. Do fees have an impact on my spending plan?

   Yes. When determining your maximum spending limit, keep in mind that Steam charges a total of 15%.

3. Is "CS:GO" still available on Steam?

   Although CS2 officially succeeded CS:GO in September 2023, there is still a legacy branch.

4. Does the cost of Case Hardened Blues constantly increase?

   Yes, most of the time. However, it depends on the pattern.  Some “almost” blue gems don’t fetch crazy premiums.

5. Is StatTrak cost-effective?

   Not at really. You’re paying for a kill counter, not a better skin. Ignore it if cost is your top concern.

6. What's the best strategy to monitor prices?

   Examine the 30-day median for the Steam Market. Never put your confidence in a strange listing that seems too promising.