The cheapest Butterfly Knife in CS2 starts at $618 — the Safari Mesh in Field-Tested condition. Even at the budget end of the spectrum, Butterfly Knives command a premium over most other knife types. Here is every variant ranked by price, with real Steam Market data.
Prices sourced from Steam Community Market (current lowest listings). Platforms like DMarket typically run 10–15% cheaper than Steam. Prices fluctuate daily — always check before buying.
What Is the Butterfly Knife in CS2?
The Butterfly Knife (also called a balisong) is one of the most iconic knives in CS2. Its flip animation is unique — no other knife in the game moves the same way. That animation premium, combined with limited supply, is why Butterfly Knives cost more than equivalent skins on cheaper knife types like the Gut Knife or Navaja.
Cheapest Butterfly Knife Skins (Ranked by Price)
All prices are lowest current Steam Market listings. For the budget picks, Battle-Scarred and Field-Tested conditions are the entry points.
| Skin | Cheapest Condition | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Butterfly Knife | Safari Mesh | Field-Tested | $618.67 |
| Butterfly Knife | Urban Masked | Battle-Scarred | $630.55 |
| Butterfly Knife | Boreal Forest | Field-Tested | $631.30 |
| Butterfly Knife | Scorched | Battle-Scarred | $635.00 |
| Butterfly Knife | Forest DDPAT | Field-Tested | $647.92 |
| Butterfly Knife | Bright Water | Well-Worn | $719.99 |
| Butterfly Knife | Rust Coat | Battle-Scarred | $779.67 |
| Butterfly Knife | Night | Battle-Scarred | $788.99 |
| Butterfly Knife | Freehand | Field-Tested | $807.96 |
| Butterfly Knife | Lore | Battle-Scarred | $793.68 |
| Butterfly Knife | Crimson Web | Battle-Scarred | $833.00 |
| Butterfly Knife | Stained | Battle-Scarred | $863.42 |
| Butterfly Knife | Autotronic | Battle-Scarred | $962.60 |
| Butterfly Knife | Case Hardened | Battle-Scarred | $967.81 |
| Butterfly Knife | Blue Steel | Battle-Scarred | $1,041.59 |
| Butterfly Knife | Damascus Steel | Minimal Wear | $1,156.97 |
| Butterfly Knife | Tiger Tooth | Factory New | $1,697.00 |
| Butterfly Knife | Doppler | Factory New | No active Steam listings — trades $1,800+ |
| Butterfly Knife | Marble Fade | Factory New | No active Steam listings — trades $2,000+ |
| Butterfly Knife | Fade | Factory New | No active Steam listings — trades $2,500+ |
| Butterfly Knife | Gamma Doppler | Factory New | No active Steam listings — trades $2,000+ |
Best Budget Butterfly Knife: Top 5 Picks
If you want a Butterfly Knife without spending close to $1,000, these five skins are your best options:
| Skin | Condition | Price | Why Buy It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safari Mesh | Field-Tested | $618.67 | Absolute cheapest entry point |
| Urban Masked | Battle-Scarred | $630.55 | Clean grey camo, minimal wear visible |
| Boreal Forest | Field-Tested | $631.30 | Green camo, holds value well |
| Scorched | Battle-Scarred | $635.00 | Understated look, strong resale |
| Forest DDPAT | Field-Tested | $647.92 | Classic DDPAT pattern, solid budget pick |
Full Price Breakdown by Condition
For the five cheapest skins, here are all available wear prices so you can judge whether upgrading condition is worth the cost:
| Skin | Battle-Scarred | Well-Worn | Field-Tested | Minimal Wear | Factory New |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safari Mesh | $627.93 | $659.68 | $618.67 | $636.33 | — |
| Urban Masked | $630.55 | $678.69 | $674.53 | $771.69 | — |
| Boreal Forest | $675.00 | $793.85 | $631.30 | $779.99 | $1,388.78 |
| Scorched | $635.00 | $705.50 | $665.24 | $745.10 | $1,561.89 |
| Forest DDPAT | $699.90 | $694.19 | $647.92 | $691.86 | — |
Tips for Buying a Butterfly Knife
- Battle-Scarred is often the sweet spot — the wear is barely visible on pattern-light skins like Safari Mesh and Urban Masked, and the price difference vs Field-Tested is minimal.
- Use DMarket for better prices — DMarket typically lists Butterfly Knives 10–15% below Steam Market prices, and you can pay with real money rather than Steam wallet funds.
- Check the float — within the same wear tier, lower float values look cleaner. A Battle-Scarred at 0.45 float looks noticeably better than one at 0.99.
- Avoid pattern-sensitive skins on a budget — Doppler and Case Hardened prices vary wildly by pattern. Stick to solid-pattern skins like Safari Mesh or Scorched if you want predictable pricing.
Related Guides
- Cheapest Knife in CS2 — All Knife Types Compared
- Most Expensive CS2 Skins
- Cheapest Covert Skins CS2
- Cheap Red Skins CS2
FAQ
What is the cheapest Butterfly Knife in CS2?
The cheapest is the Butterfly Knife | Safari Mesh in Field-Tested condition, currently listed from $618.67 on the Steam Market. Urban Masked and Boreal Forest are close alternatives around the same price.
Why are Butterfly Knives so expensive compared to other knives?
The Butterfly Knife’s unique flip animation is highly sought after — it’s widely considered the best knife animation in the game. That demand premium pushes all Butterfly Knife skins above comparable skins on cheaper knife types.
Is Battle-Scarred worth buying for a Butterfly Knife?
Yes. On pattern-light skins like Safari Mesh, Scorched, and Urban Masked, Battle-Scarred wear is barely visible during gameplay. The price savings of $50–$150 versus Field-Tested are usually worth it.
Where is the cheapest place to buy a Butterfly Knife CS2?
DMarket consistently offers Butterfly Knives at 10–15% below Steam Market prices, with the added benefit of real cash withdrawal — meaning sellers are more willing to price competitively.
Do Butterfly Knife prices go up or down over time?
Historically, Butterfly Knife prices have trended upward as the CS2 player base grows and skin supply stays fixed. Short-term fluctuations happen, but the long-term trajectory for rare knives has been positive.