The Best CSGO Knife Skins for Every Budget

One of the most exciting aspects of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is opening CSGO cases. Whether you spend $2.50 on a common case or splurge on an expensive rare special collection case, the thrill of not knowing what skin you'll unlock keeps players coming back time and time again. While the majority of case openings result in common-grade weapon skins worth just pennies, every once in a while someone gets lucky and unboxes a coveted knife skin.

Knife skins in CS:GO come in all shapes, sizes and price points. From minimal-wear rust coats selling for under $50 to souvenir souvenirs that clear six figures, there is a knife skin suitable for virtually every budget. In this article, we'll break down the best knife skins investments for players working with smaller budgets of $0-100, $100-500, and $500+ based on average market prices.

$0-100 Budget

For players just starting their knife skin collection or working with a limited budget, there are several affordable options that still provide a cool factor. Two knives that regularly sell in the $50-75 range and offer nice looks are the Flip Knife | Forest DDPAT (Battle-Scarred) and the Gut Knife | Scorched (Field-Tested). Both of these knives have a used, worn appearance that gives them character at a low cost.

Another option is keeping an eye out for quality playskins in the $75-100 range. The Flip Knife | Ultraviolet (Well-Worn) and the Huntsman Knife | Slaughter (Well-Worn) occasionally dip into this price bracket and offer distinctive patterns at a relatively low cost. Be patient and watch the Steam Community Market, as deals can be found.

$100-500 Budget

As budgets increase to the $100-500 range, many more options open up. The Flip Knife | Tiger Tooth and M9 Bayonet | Boreal Forest are two classic patterns that provide good looks respectively for $150-250 and $200-350 depending on wear. Both have smooth, clean designs that hold value well.

For players wanting flashy playskins, the Butterfly Knife | Blue Steel and the Bayonet | Doppler are excellent choices in this price range. Blue Steel knives range from $250-400 and have dynamic coloring, while Phase 1-3 Doppler bayonets can be found from $300-450 with their hypnotizing patterns.

The Karambit | Urban Masked is also notable as an affordable Karambit starting around $350. Its green and brown camouflage design is understated yet interesting. With proper care, any of these mid-range knives can be held onto and potentially make a return on investment down the road.

$500+ Budget

Once a player's knife skin budget hits $500 or more, truly high-end options that will continue appreciating emerge. The aforementioned Karambit is a popular choice like the Karambit | Tiger Tooth, going for $550-650 depending on its float value.

For ultimate rarity and flash, the coveted Dragon Lore skins like the M4A4 | Dragon Lore and the AWP | Dragon Lore in lower floats start becoming realistic possibilities from $700-1,000. their magnificent designs make them instant collector's items.

Finally, for knives entering the realm of true luxury play skins, options like the Karambit | Marble Fade, the M9 Bayonet | Gamma Doppler, and the Karambit | Crimson Web can often be found in good condition from $700-1,200. These exquisite patterns rank among the most desirable in all of CS:GO and hold value like high-end collector's cars or artwork.

With enough patience and research, there is a fancy knife skin to suit any budget level thanks to the variety showcased in this breakdown. Whether you unbox that dream playknife or save up over time, having a prized blade to bring into competitive matches is a jewel for any true CS:GO fan. With so many styles to choose from, it's just a matter of picking the one that best fits your skill, style and wallet.