CS2 (CS:GO) Cheap Knives: The 5 Most Affordable in 2026

A knife is the one item every Counter-Strike 2 player sees on screen all match, which is why so many people want one. The good news is that you don't need hundreds of dollars to get a ★ item. A handful of knives in plain finishes sell for around $40, less than many popular rifle skins.

This guide lists the five most affordable CS2 knives on Mannco.store as of October 2026. CS2 replaced CS:GO in September 2023, and every CS:GO knife carried over, so the same budget picks apply whether you started in CS:GO or CS2.

One thing to know before you shop: every knife in CS2 plays the same. Damage, swing speed and movement speed are identical across knife types, and wear doesn't change performance. What you pay for is the model, the animations and the finish.

What to Check Before Buying a Cheap CS2 Knife

Cheap knives all use the same few finishes. Safari Mesh, Scorched, Forest DDPAT, Urban Masked and Boreal Forest are the least wanted patterns, which makes them the entry point for almost every knife type. Keep these points in mind:

1. Price range: Set a budget first.

At the bottom of the market, the knife type matters more than the finish. In October 2026, the cheapest knives start around $37-$46. Bowie, Ursus, Huntsman and Falchion knives start around $48-$57. Flip, Stiletto and Skeleton knives start above $110.

2. Knife type: Pick the model and animations you like.

Each knife has its own model, draw animation and inspect animation. Since all knives deal the same damage, choose the one you enjoy looking at. Butterfly and Karambit knives cost far more than the knives in this guide, mostly because of demand for their animations.

3. Exterior: Wear is cosmetic only.

CS2 skins come in five exteriors, from Factory New to Battle-Scarred, set by the item's float value. Wear changes how the finish looks, not how the knife performs. On cheap camo finishes, Field-Tested often costs about the same as Battle-Scarred, so it's usually the better buy.

4. StatTrak™ and rarity: Extra cost, no gameplay effect.

StatTrak™ versions count your kills and cost more. Every knife is a ★ Covert item that drops from cases, so "rarity" mostly comes down to how many copies of that knife and finish exist.

5. Trade holds: Check when the knife becomes tradable.

Recently traded CS2 items can carry a temporary trade hold. If you plan to trade the knife again soon, check the tradable date on the listing before you buy.

The 5 Cheapest CS2 Knives in 2026

Prices below are the lowest listings on Mannco.store in October 2026, rounded. Knife prices move every day, so treat them as a guide and check the item page for the current price.

1. Navaja Knife | Boreal Forest (Field-Tested)

• Price: around $37 on Mannco.store in October 2026. The Safari Mesh (Field-Tested) version is around $39.
• Origin: added in the Horizon Case in 2018.
• Design: a small folding knife with a flick-open draw animation. It is the cheapest knife type in CS2 and the usual first knife for budget buyers.
• Good to know: the small model takes up little of the screen, which some players prefer.

2. Shadow Daggers | Safari Mesh (Field-Tested)

• Price: around $39 on Mannco.store in October 2026.
• Origin: added in the Shadow Case in 2015.
• Design: a pair of push daggers held in both hands, with a spinning inspect animation. They are the only dual-wielded knife in the game.
• Good to know: the Boreal Forest and Scorched versions are only a few dollars more, so pick the color you like.

3. Kukri Knife | Safari Mesh (Field-Tested)

• Price: around $40 on Mannco.store in October 2026.
• Origin: added in the Kilowatt Case in February 2024, making it the first knife created for CS2.
• Design: a heavy, forward-curved Nepalese blade that looks much bigger than its price suggests.
• Good to know: it had one of the deepest stocks of any cheap knife on Mannco.store when we checked.

4. Paracord Knife | Safari Mesh (Field-Tested)

• Price: around $41 on Mannco.store in October 2026.
• Origin: added in the Shattered Web Case in 2019.
• Design: a fixed-blade field knife with a paracord-wrapped handle and a simple, tactical look.
• Good to know: its sister knife, the Survival Knife, sells for a similar price but had very few listings in October 2026.

5. Gut Knife | Forest DDPAT (Field-Tested)

• Price: around $46 on Mannco.store in October 2026.
• Origin: one of the original knives, available since the first CS:GO weapon cases in 2013.
• Design: a hooked blade with a gut hook on the spine and a quick, simple inspect.
• Good to know: the Gut Knife has the widest range of finishes among cheap knives, so it's easy to upgrade later to a Doppler or Fade on the same model.

Summary

The cheapest way into CS2 knives in 2026 is a Navaja, Shadow Daggers, Kukri, Paracord or Gut Knife in a camo finish, all from around $37 to $46. Because every knife plays the same, buy the model you like looking at, compare Field-Tested against Battle-Scarred prices, and check the trade hold date before you pay.

FAQ

What is the cheapest knife in CS2?

In October 2026, the cheapest knife on Mannco.store was the Navaja Knife | Boreal Forest (Field-Tested) at around $37. The Navaja Knife and Shadow Daggers in Safari Mesh or Boreal Forest are usually the cheapest knives in the game.

Do cheap knives perform worse than expensive ones?

No. All CS2 knives deal the same damage and give the same movement speed. Price only reflects the model, animations, finish and demand.

Can I put stickers or name tags on my CS2 knife?

You can't apply stickers or charms to knives in CS2. You can rename a knife with a Name Tag.

How can I check the condition of a knife before buying?

Look at the float value on the listing: the lower the float, the less wear. You can also inspect the knife in-game from the item page to see the wear and pattern up close.