Counter-Strike 2 knife reference values
| Property | Value | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Armor penetration | 85% | Shared modern Counter-Strike weapon record |
| Primary attack interval | 0.4 s | Knife reference record |
| Secondary attack interval | 1.0 s | Knife reference record |
| Run speed | 250 units/s | Running state |
| Walk speed | 130 units/s | Walking state |
| Crouch-walk speed | 85 units/s | Crouch-walking state |
| Kill reward | $1,500 Competitive; $750 Casual | Explicitly shared CS:GO / CS2 record; mode-specific |
Default role and close-range use
The Stock Knife is part of standard CS2 equipment rather than a weapon bought from the Buy Menu. It has no ammunition requirement and gives a player a melee option when moving between positions, preserving ammunition, or facing an opponent at extremely close range. The knife is a risky choice in an open gunfight: a player must approach while exposing themselves and cannot challenge a distant sightline.
A knife can be useful for a quiet rotation, but it does not make movement silent. Footsteps and the act of closing distance can reveal a route. Consider the nearby opponent, escape space and objective timing before switching away from a firearm. A knife kill can affect the round’s money, but pursuing one is situational rather than a dependable way to earn a reward.
Primary slash, secondary stab and backstab
The primary attack is a quick slash with less damage; the secondary attack is slower, deals more damage and has shorter reach. A hit from behind can apply the backstab’s much higher damage. Both attacks require the target to be very close, so the player’s angle and spacing matter. If a stab falls short, the primary attack’s greater reach may connect, but it still requires melee distance.
CS2 changed specific knife-hit handling on November 2, 2023. Knife attacks prioritize enemies and hit teammates only when no enemies are in range. The client no longer predicts knife damage effects or sounds, and a knife attack immediately after switching to the knife deals full damage. These dated fixes describe hit selection, feedback and a switch timing case; they do not add an attack type.
Movement and kill rewards
The Wiki lists movement speeds of 250 units per second while running, 130 while walking and 85 while crouch-walking. Read each number with its movement state; the knife does not make a player move at the running speed while crouched or walking. The knife can be selected for a faster rotation compared with carrying many firearms, but switching back takes time and a player may be caught without a ranged weapon.
The Wiki’s shared CS:GO/CS2 record lists a $1,500 Competitive and $750 Casual reward for a knife kill. Those values are explicitly shared-version and mode-labelled. They should not be mistaken for earlier Counter-Strike reward tables or a universal CS2 reward in every mode. The armor penetration and attack intervals in the reference table are likewise presented as shared modern weapon-record properties, not as a full CS2 damage chart.
Cosmetic knives and finishes
CS2 cosmetic models replace the visible knife while sharing the Stock Knife’s basic melee role. The roster includes Bayonet, Bowie Knife, Butterfly Knife, Classic Knife, Falchion Knife, Flip Knife, Gut Knife, Huntsman Knife, Karambit, Kukri Knife, M9 Bayonet, Navaja Knife, Nomad Knife, Paracord Knife, Shadow Daggers, Skeleton Knife, Stiletto Knife, Survival Knife, Talon Knife and Ursus Knife. Each has its own model and presentation, but appearance does not establish a different damage profile.
A model and its finish are separate cosmetic properties: the model changes the blade and handle appearance, while a compatible Weapon Skin changes the surface design. Finish wear and pattern describe appearance, not a different melee class. Earlier-edition-only knife items are not listed as standard CS2 options here.
CS2 version scope and presentation updates
Knife properties have changed across Counter-Strike releases. Older-edition hitbox tables and edition-specific special items are therefore not presented as current CS2 values. Where the reference identifies a shared CS:GO/CS2 value, this page labels that scope explicitly. Custom server settings can also change play, but do not define standard matchmaking behavior.
On August 14, 2025, a CS2 update improved deploy and quick-inspect animations for all knives. The patch did not name a unique Stock Knife pose or timing and did not state a change to its reach, damage, movement or finish. The update is a presentation change shared across the knife category.