The likelihood of obtaining each type of skin is determined by the range of float values it falls into. For example, "Battle-Scarred" is easy to get because it falls into the range that includes over half of all possible values (from 0.45 to 1.0). The chances of obtaining "Factory New" quality weapons are noticeably lower because the float must be in the range from 0 to 0.07. These intervals are the same for all types of weapons, but some items have additional restrictions on minimum and maximum float values, making them not available in all variants.
Since "Factory New" looks the best and is rare, skins with this characteristic usually cost more compared to other variants. The difference from "Minimal Wear" can be quite noticeable, even when there is no significant visual difference between the skins. Additionally, the number of visual defects on the weapon's surface changes gradually as the parameter increases, so it's hard to spot the difference between variants with values of 0.06 and 0.08 with the naked eye, although formally they fall into different categories.
If you're not planning to resell rare skins and simply want to diversify your collection, not overpaying for "Factory New" is often a great option. This is especially true for skins with metallic finishes, which simply develop a patina as they wear. No scratches appear on them, and the color change manifests quite slowly.
Furthermore, in some cases, other factors influence the cost of a skin more than the float. For example, the price of AK-47 Case Hardened depends on the pattern index, which determines the distribution of colors on the surface. As a result, the amount of blue on a specific specimen can affect the price much more than the wear. Moreover, even with high float values, the pattern on the surface of this skin darkens but remains intact.
Here are a few more examples of skins that look great as Minimal Wear:
USP-S Stainless with a shiny steel surface.
Desert Eagle Kumicho Dragon, adorned with a dragon engraving.
AWP Atheris, since scratches only affect certain details, leaving the pattern untouched.
An opposite example – skins with a large number of small details or thin patterns. For instance, AK-47 Safety Net is covered in an orange net pattern. In the "Field-Tested" version, noticeable scratches appear, the paint becomes paler, and the pattern starts to wear off around the stock and handle. As a result, the price of the "Worn" variant can be almost twice as different from "Factory New" items.
Here are a few skins with detailed drawings where buying a variant with perfect float is preferable:
AWP Sun in Leo with a pattern inspired by astrological drawings.
M4A4 Dragon King with a detailed Asian-style image.
Karambit Lore and other knife skins, because any flaws are easily noticeable on the smooth surface of the blade.
Remember, there are even more ambiguous situations where skins with high floats are expensive because they acquire an unusual appearance. We have already written about some of them. Thus, while float undoubtedly affects the price, often everything is not so straightforward. And at Lis-Skins, you'll find competitive prices for skins regardless of quality – choose according to your taste and budget, from "Factory New" to "Battle-Scarred."
