🎯 What is the AK-47 Redline?
The AK-47 | Redline is the most popular sticker craft base in CS2 and one of the most consistently traded skins in the game's history. Released in February 2014 with the Phoenix Case, the Redline's minimalist dark design with red accent lines makes it the perfect canvas for applied stickers — particularly Crown Foils and Katowice 2014 holos.
The skin features a matte black body with clean red pinstripe accents running along the weapon. Its understated design lets applied stickers take center stage, which is why it has become the go-to base skin for some of the most valuable crafts in CS2.
Flavor Text: "By the time you're close enough to notice the red line, it's already too late"
📊 Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Weapon | AK-47 |
| Case | Operation Phoenix Case |
| Released | February 2014 |
| Rarity | Classified (Pink) |
| Available Wears | Factory New – Battle-Scarred |
| Float Range | 0.10 – 0.70 |
| StatTrak Available | Yes |
| Base Price (2025) | ~$15 (FT), ~$400 (FN) |
📜 Why It's an Essential Skin
The Perfect Sticker Canvas
The Redline's popularity as a craft base stems from several design factors:
- Dark matte background — Stickers pop against the black body with maximum contrast
- Clean surface — Minimal design elements that don't compete with applied stickers
- Red accents — Complement many popular sticker color schemes
- Affordable base — At ~$15 for Field-Tested, it's accessible for crafters at every budget level
- Available in StatTrak — ST versions add an extra layer of desirability for crafts
Market Index Skin
The AK-47 Redline FT has historically served as an informal market index for the CS skin economy. Its extremely high trade volume, stable demand, and consistent pricing make it a reliable barometer for overall market health. When Redline FT prices move, the broader market often follows.
🏷️ The Sticker Canvas — Applied Value Guide
Crown Foil on Redline
The AK-47 Redline with Crown Foil stickers is one of the most iconic and popular crafts in CS2.
| Placement | Applied Value (Crown Foil) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wood (above grip) | +$50 – $150 | Best single-sticker position. The "Crown on wood" Redline is the most popular entry-level premium craft |
| 4x Crown Foil | +$200 – $500 | Full quad Crown craft — clean, prestigious |
⚠️ Placement Matters
A Crown Foil on the wood position of a Redline can add $50-$150 in applied value. The same sticker on the stock might add only $10-20. Always check placement before paying premium prices.
Katowice 2014 Crafts
The Redline is the single most popular base skin for Katowice 2014 sticker crafts due to its affordability and visual compatibility.
| Craft | Est. Applied Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4x iBUYPOWER (Holo) | $400,000+ | The most legendary Redline craft |
| 4x Titan (Holo) | $500,000+ | Blue Titan on black — iconic contrast |
| 1x iBUYPOWER (Holo) on wood | $10,000 – $20,000 | Single best sticker position |
| 4x Katowice 2014 (non-holo) | $500 – $5,000 | More affordable Kato crafts |
| Mixed Katowice 2014 Holos | $50,000 – $200,000+ | "Rainbow" crafts |
Other Popular Redline Crafts
| Craft | Notes |
|---|---|
| 4x LGB (Holo) Katowice 2014 | Red LGB holos match the red Redline accents perfectly |
| 4x Complexity (Holo) Katowice 2014 | Red/blue complexity works well on dark base |
| 4x Howling Dawn | Fire wolf stickers on a popular rifle |
| 4x Navi (Holo) Katowice 2014 | Yellow on black — strong contrast |
🎨 Wear & Float Guide
The Redline has an unusual float range — it cannot exist in Factory New below 0.10, making FN copies relatively scarce.
| Condition | Float Range | Approx. Price (clean) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factory New | 0.10 – 0.15 | ~$400 | Rare — float starts at 0.10, not 0.00 |
| Minimal Wear | 0.15 – 0.20 | ~$30 – $40 | Clean appearance |
| Field-Tested | 0.20 – 0.38 | ~$15 | Most traded condition — the "standard" Redline |
| Well-Worn | 0.38 – 0.50 | ~$12 | Noticeable wear |
| Battle-Scarred | 0.50 – 0.70 | ~$10 | Heavy wear but max float only 0.70 |
Why FN Is So Expensive
The Redline's minimum float of 0.10 means Factory New copies (0.10–0.15) sit at the very bottom of the FN range, making them significantly rarer than skins with a full 0.00–0.07 FN range. This drives the ~25x price premium of FN over FT.
📈 Price History
| Year | FT Price | FN Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | ~$10 – $15 | ~$100 |
| 2016 | ~$5 | ~$50 |
| 2022 | ~$10 | ~$250 |
| 2025 | ~$15 | ~$400 |
The Redline FT has been one of the most price-stable skins in CS history, rarely deviating far from the $5–$15 range. FN copies have seen stronger appreciation due to their relative scarcity.
🔍 Compare Prices Across 13+ Marketplaces
Don't overpay — check real-time prices for every skin in this guide on SteamAnalyst. We aggregate pricing from Buff163, Skinport, CSFloat, DMarket, Steam Market, and more so you always get the best deal.
❓ Redline FAQ
Why is the Redline so popular for sticker crafts?
Its dark matte finish creates maximum contrast with applied stickers, and the clean design doesn't compete with sticker artwork. Combined with affordable FT pricing (~$15), it's the perfect craft base at every budget level.
Why is FN so much more expensive than FT?
The Redline's minimum float is 0.10, which falls at the very bottom of the FN range. This makes FN copies much rarer than typical skins. The ~$400 FN price vs. ~$15 FT price reflects a ~25x premium.
Is the Redline a good investment?
As a sticker craft base, the Redline's value is primarily driven by applied stickers rather than the base skin itself. However, FN and StatTrak FN copies have shown consistent appreciation, and the skin's role as a market index ensures enduring demand.
What's the best single sticker to apply on a Redline?
A Crown (Foil) on the wood position is widely considered the best value single-sticker craft. It adds $50-$150 in applied value on a ~$15 base skin and is one of the most recognizable crafts in CS2.
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