Wouldn’t it be great if you could just type in a console command to instantly get the knife you want, for free? Well, while that’s definitely not possible in competitive matches, you can at least give it a go while practicing by yourself. CS2 knife commands enable you to try any vanilla knife in the game at no cost. It’s a great way to check out each knife and see its animations before investing in an expensive skin, and here’s how to do it!

Contents

• Using Knife Commands in CS2
  • Setting Up the Match
  • Knife Codes in CS2
• Knife Commands Alternative: Training Maps

Using Knife Commands in CS2

There have been various ways to spawn in knives in CS:GO over the years, though not all of them are compatible with the current version of the game. Here’s an easy method that works perfectly in CS2: 

Setting Up the Match

Before you do anything else, you need to enable the console, if you haven’t done so already: 

• Head to Settings → Game while in CS2
• Find “Enable Developer Console” in the list of options
• Select “Yes” from the dropdown

Done? Awesome. You’re ready to set up your game. 

For knife commands to work, you’ll need to turn on sv_cheats in your game. This is only allowed on local servers or in practice matches, so go for either of those when getting ready to play. If you’re not sure how to go about that, just head to Play → Practice. In case you don’t want any bots to spawn in—so you can check out each knife in peace—turn on Warmup Mode. 

Before you start the match, make sure that you have the default knife equipped.

Knife Codes in CS2

Once you’re in the match, open the console using the tilde [~] key (or whatever custom key you bound it to). Enable cheats: 

sv_cheats 1

…and type in the following command: 

mp_drop_knife_enable 1

Now, drop your knife to the ground using the [G] key (by default). Aim your crosshair at the knife and open the console again. Type in the command for changing the knife to your desired type:

Knife	Command
Bayonet	subclass_change 500
Classic Knife	subclass_change 503
Flip Knife	subclass_change 505
Gut Knife	subclass_change 506
Karambit	subclass_change 507
M9 Bayonet	subclass_change 508
Huntsman Knife	subclass_change 509
Falchion Knife	subclass_change 512
Bowie Knife	subclass_change 514
Butterfly Knife	subclass_change 515
Shadow Daggers	subclass_change 516
Paracord Knife	subclass_change 517
Survival Knife	subclass_change 518
Ursus Knife	subclass_change 519
Navaja Knife	subclass_change 520
Nomad Knife	subclass_change 521
Stiletto Knife	subclass_change 522
Talon Knife	subclass_change 523
Default Knife	subclass_change 524
Skeleton Knife	subclass_change 525
Kukri Knife	subclass_change 526

To pick up your knife, just walk over it. 

If you want to try a different knife type, you’ll need to repeat the process: 

• Drop your knife with [G]
• Aim at it while it’s on the ground
• Type in a different knife command from the list
• Pick up the “new” knife

Note that while you can change the knife model, you can’t change the knife skin applied to it via console commands.

And there you go—that’s all there is to it. Sure, it’s not the same as owning a butterfly knife or karambit of your very own, but it’s still cool to play around with the different knives in the game. 

In case you’re new to console commands: don’t worry, you won’t be penalized for using cheats in a private match. It’s only when playing with other people on official Valve servers that cheating gets you banned. Besides, cheating on those servers is not as easy as typing in a basic command.

Knife Console Commands Alternative: Training Maps

A different but equally effective way to try out different knives in CS2 for free is by using training maps. There are plenty of community-made training maps available in the Steam Workshop, and some (though not all) enable to you to switch to different knives at will, with no commands. 

The cs2_aim and GGPredict Training Hub maps are good examples—they feature weapon panels that also have the full range of knives. All you need to do is subscribe to the map, run it, and select your knife from the board. 

If that sounds like something you’d like to try out, check out our post on the best CS2 training maps for more info. 

Anyway, that’s it—using knife commands is super easy once you know how the process works. Have fun trying out every knife type in CS2!