Valve’s October 2025 update for Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) introduced a groundbreaking feature: the ability to craft knives and gloves using the Trade Up Contract. This change has significantly impacted the CS2 skin market, offering players new opportunities and challenges. Here’s everything you need to know about the CS2 knife trade system.
What Is the CS2 Knife Trade System?
The new CS2 update allows players to exchange five Covert-tier skins from the same collection to craft a knife or gloves. Specifically:
- 5 StatTrak™ Covert skins yield a StatTrak™ knife.
- 5 regular Covert skins yield a non-StatTrak™ knife or a pair of gloves.
The crafted item is randomly selected from the collections of the skins used. For example, using skins from the Fracture and Prisma 2 collections could result in a knife from either of those collections.
Market Impact: Prices Soar and Fall
The introduction of knife crafting has caused significant fluctuations in the CS2 skin market:
- Covert skins have seen their prices surge, with some increasing by over 1000% as players scramble to obtain them for crafting.
- Knife and glove prices have dropped by up to 50% due to increased supply from crafting
This volatility has created both opportunities and risks for traders and collectors.
Tips for Crafting and Trading Knives
To navigate the new CS2 knife trade system effectively:
- Choose valuable Covert skins: Opt for skins from collections known for high-value knives, such as Fracture, Prisma 2, Dreams & Nightmares, Revolution, and Recoil.
- Monitor market trends: Keep an eye on the Steam Market and third-party platforms to understand price movements and demand.
- Be aware of trade holds: Items obtained through trade have a 7-day trade hold, while those purchased directly from the Steam Market can be used immediately in crafting
Potential Risks and Considerations
While crafting knives can be profitable, it’s essential to consider the risks:
- Random outcomes: The crafted knife’s model and pattern are random, which may not align with your preferences or market demand.
- Market volatility: Prices can fluctuate rapidly, and there’s no guarantee that the crafted knife will retain its value.
- Investment costs: The cost of acquiring five Covert skins can be substantial, and the return on investment isn’t always guaranteed.
Sources: Skin Club Community
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