🔪 Why the Bayonet?
The Bayonet is the original military-style knife and one of the most affordable launch knives. Its straightforward look and animation make it a popular first knife, and it carries the full range of finishes.
Because it is one of the cheaper premium knives, the Bayonet is often the best value way to own a genuine knife in a nice finish without stretching into M9 or Karambit territory.
📊 Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Model | Bayonet (★) |
| Introduced | Arms Deal update (2013) |
| Blade | Classic military straight |
| Position | One of the cheapest launch knives |
| Cheapest finish | Safari Mesh / Boreal Forest |
| Value angle | Best value first knife |
📜 History & Origin
The Bayonet was one of the original knives from the 2013 Arms Deal update. As the classic straight military blade, it set the template for the knife category and remains a favourite entry point for players buying their first knife.
💰 Finish Tiers & Price Ranges
| Tier | Example finishes | Bayonet price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Safari Mesh, Boreal Forest, Scorched | $130 – $200 |
| Mid | Blue Steel, Stained, Rust Coat | $180 – $270 |
| Popular | Damascus Steel, Ultraviolet, Autotronic | $240 – $360 |
| Premium | Fade, Marble Fade, Tiger Tooth, Doppler | $400 – $750 |
| Chase | Doppler Sapphire/Ruby, Blue Gem | $2,000 – $9,000+ |
⭐ Best Finishes for the Bayonet
- Best first-knife pick: Doppler or Tiger Tooth — premium looks under ~$600.
- Best value: Damascus Steel or Ultraviolet under $360.
- Best budget: a Battle-Scarred budget finish for the cheapest real knife.
📐 Float & Finish Notes
On knives, the finish matters far more than the raw float for most buyers. A few practical rules:
- Doppler / Marble Fade / Tiger Tooth only spawn FN–MW, so float barely varies — buy the cheapest clean copy.
- Fade is graded by fade percentage (a pattern trait), not float — chase 90–100% fades.
- Case Hardened is all about the pattern seed (blue gems), with float a secondary concern.
- Painted finishes (Ultraviolet, Damascus, Black Laminate) do fade with float, so prefer FN/MW.
📈 Value & Investment
The Bayonet is more of a "buy to use" knife than an investment, but clean popular finishes hold value well. Its low entry cost also makes it the easiest premium knife to resell.
🧤 Loadout Pairings
- Doppler Bayonet → blue/purple loadouts.
- Tiger Tooth Bayonet → clean neutral or gold builds.
- Fade Bayonet → warm-toned loadouts.
🛒 Buying Tips & Checklist
- Compare across marketplaces using the price ranges above — knife prices vary a lot between platforms.
- Always inspect in-game to confirm the finish, float, and (for Doppler) the phase before paying.
- Know the finish quirks — a phase-checked Doppler or a verified Fade % can be worth a premium.
- Best value first knife — a Doppler or Tiger Tooth Bayonet looks premium for far less than a Karambit.
- Keep Mobile Authenticator on to avoid trade holds on a high-value item.
🔍 Compare Prices Across 13+ Marketplaces
Don't overpay — check real-time prices for every item in this guide on SteamAnalyst. We aggregate pricing from Buff163, Skinport, CSFloat, DMarket, Steam Market, and more so you always get the best deal.
❓ FAQ
Is the Bayonet a good first knife?
Yes. It carries every finish and sits at the affordable end of premium knives, so it is a common first-knife pick — a Doppler or Tiger Tooth Bayonet looks premium for far less than a Karambit.
Bayonet vs M9 Bayonet?
The M9 has a larger blade and different animation and costs a bit more. The standard Bayonet is the cheaper, more classic option.
What is the cheapest Bayonet?
Battle-Scarred budget finishes like Safari Mesh and Boreal Forest are the cheapest, typically starting around $130.
Does the Bayonet come in StatTrak?
Yes, most finishes have a StatTrak version at a small premium.
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