Let's be real: spending $500 or even $2,000 on a digital knife without ever holding it in your hands is crazy. Sure, you can inspect it in the market, but that doesn't tell you how the pull-out animation feels or if the sound will annoy you after three rounds. In Counter-Strike 2, testing skins before buying is a mandatory ritual for any smart trader or player.
I remember back in the GO days, spawning a knife was a bit clunky. In CS2, Valve changed the engine, and with it, the console commands evolved. If you are trying to use old CS GO knife drop command lines, you are probably staring at error messages. In this guide, I will show you the actual, working CS2 knife commands to test any blade—from the legendary Karambit to the new Kukri—right on your local server. No BS, just working codes.
Article Contents:

The Foundation: Preparing Your Server for Knife Commands
Before you start copy-pasting code, we need to set up the environment. You cannot use these commands in Premier or Competitive matches (obviously, otherwise everyone would be running around with a Blue Gem). You need a private, offline server.
Here is the correct sequence to enable the developer console and activate cheat mode:
- Launch Counter-Strike 2.
- Go to Settings -> Game and make sure "Enable Developer Console (~)" is set to Yes.
- Click "Play" -> "Practice" -> "Casual" (or Competitive, doesn't matter).
- Select any map (Mirage is fine) and launch.
Once you load in, press the tilde key (~) to open the console. Now, type the most important command that unlocks everything:
Without sv_cheats 1, no knife command will work. It tells the server, "Hey, I'm the boss here, let me break the rules." Next, we need to solve the biggest issue in CS2: by default, the game doesn't let you drop your knife.
To fix this, enter this command:
Now you can toss your default knife on the ground just like a Glock. This is critical because the new method of spawning knives requires you to drop your current weapon to pick up the new one. If you are used to the old how to give knife in CSGO command logic, forget it—CS2 requires a bit more manual work.
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How to Spawn and Test Knives in CS2 (The Subclass Method)
Here is where things get tricky. In the early days of the beta, we used give weapon_knife..., but that often spawns a "ghost" knife you can't pick up. The modern, reliable way to test any knife in CS2 involves manipulating the item's subclass ID.
Follow this routine strictly:
- Look at the ground where you want the knife to appear.
- Open the console and type the
subclass_createcommand with the specific ID (list below). - The knife will spawn in the air or on the floor.
- Drop your knife (press G by default).
- Look at the new knife and press E to pick it up.
For example, if you want to test a Butterfly Knife, the command looks like this:
This command spawns the physical entity of the weapon. It works much better than the old CSGO knife command scripts because it uses the engine's internal item generation. However, keep in mind you are spawning vanilla knives. You won't get a Karambit Blue Gem or a Crimson Web this way—just the standard finish. For specific skins, you usually need a reliable tool like VRedux, which has a built-in skin changer.
Complete List of CS2 Knife Commands (IDs)
I’ve compiled the updated list of CS2 knife codes for 2025. I grouped them so you don't have to scroll through a mess of text. These operate via the subclass_create [ID] logic I explained above.
Top Tier Knives (The Meta)
These are the CS2 knives everyone wants. If you are looking to invest in a high-tier item, start here.
| Knife Name | Console Command (ID) | Old Command (Give) |
|---|---|---|
| Butterfly Knife | subclass_create 515 |
give weapon_knife_butterfly |
| Karambit | subclass_create 507 |
give weapon_knife_karambit |
| M9 Bayonet | subclass_create 508 |
give weapon_knife_m9_bayonet |
| Skeleton Knife | subclass_create 525 |
give weapon_knife_skeleton |
| Talon Knife | subclass_create 523 |
give weapon_knife_widowmaker |
Note that for the Talon, the internal name is actually "widowmaker". Valve's naming conventions are sometimes weird. The Karambit is probably the most tested item; everyone wants to see that spinning animation.
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Mid-Tier and New Knives
Don't sleep on these. The Kukri is the latest addition to Counter-Strike 2, and it has some unique inspect animations.
- Kukri Knife:
subclass_create 526(The new trend) - Nomad Knife:
subclass_create 521(Underrated animations) - Paracord Knife:
subclass_create 517 - Survival Knife:
subclass_create 518 - Ursus Knife:
subclass_create 519 - Stiletto Knife:
subclass_create 522(The toothpick) - Classic Knife:
subclass_create 503(CS 1.6 nostalgia)
If you are looking for commands in CS2 to test the classic experience, definitely try ID 503. It brings back memories.
Budget Knives (Low Tier)
If you are on a budget, these are your targets. They might not be flashy, but a knife is a knife.
- Navaja Knife:
subclass_create 520 - Shadow Daggers:
subclass_create 516(Buttplugs, sorry, had to say it) - Falchion Knife:
subclass_create 512 - Bowie Knife:
subclass_create 514 - Huntsman Knife:
subclass_create 509 - Gut Knife:
subclass_create 506 - Flip Knife:
subclass_create 505
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Troubleshooting: Why Can't I Pick Up the Knife?
I often hear players complain: "I typed the give knife command CSGO style, and nothing happened." Or "The knife is on the floor, but I can't take it." This is usually because you are still holding your default weapon.
Here are the commands you need to fix common issues:
- Can't drop the knife? Ensure
mp_drop_knife_enable 1is active. - Ghost knife? If you use the old give weapon_... commands, sometimes the game spawns a visual model without physical properties. Use
subclass_createinstead. - Knife spawns inside the floor? Aim slightly higher when entering the code.
- Want to reset? Type
mp_restartgame 1to clear the map of dropped items.
Also, if you are trying to find CS GO spawn knife command for specific rare skins, remember that the console only gives the base model. To test different knives with specific finishes (like a Fade or Doppler), you are limited by the game's default tools. For deep customization, check out our guide on useful cheat commands for CS2 which covers more ground on ent_fire manipulations.
Pro Tip: You can create a config file (cfg) with these commands. For example, bind "p" to spawn a Karambit. It saves time during warmup with bots.
Advanced: Binds and Aliases
Typing subclass_create 507 every time is annoying. Let's make it faster. You can use the bind command to assign a key.
Type this in your console:
Now, every time you press P, a Karambit spawns. Just remember to drop your current one first. This is super helpful when you want to test knives in CS2 back-to-back to compare animations. You can bind different keys for the Butterfly knife, M9 Bayonet, and others.
If you are really into tweaking your game, knowing these developer console commands is essential. It's the same logic as setting up a bind to switch hands—customization is key to comfort.
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FAQ: Common Questions About Knife Commands
Can I get a VAC ban for using these commands?
No, absolutely not. You are using sv_cheats 1 on a local server or a private lobby. Valve allows this for testing and practice. You are safe. VAC only triggers if you inject third-party software into the game process on secured servers.
Do these commands work in Competitive or Premier?
Nice try, but no. The CS2 knife command logic relies on cheats being enabled. In official matchmaking, this variable is locked to 0. If you want to see skins in competitive play without buying them, you'd need a skin changer (which is a different topic entirely). By the way, if you are grinding the ladder, check out how the CS2 Premier Rating system works.
Why does the command "give weapon_knife" not work properly?
It's a legacy command. While it might sometimes drop a knife, it often bugs out in the Source 2 engine. The subclass_create method is the new standard for interacting with knife ids directly.
Can I test skins like Dragon Lore or Fade with console?
No. Console commands only spawn the "Vanilla" (default) version of the weapon. You cannot apply textures or patterns (like Blue Gem) through the standard console. For that, you need access to community servers with !ws plugins or external tools.
What is the command to drop knife in CS2?
The command is mp_drop_knife_enable 1. After entering this, just press your drop key (G).
Conclusion
Testing knives before you buy them is the smartest thing you can do in the CS economy. Whether you are eyeing a Skeleton Knife or just want to mess around with a Shadow Dagger plug, these CS2 knife commands are your best friends. It takes two minutes to set up a local server, but it saves you from buying a $300 item you end up hating.
Don't be that guy who buys a Navaja thinking it's cool, only to realize it looks like a letter opener. Use the developer console, spawn the item, inspect it, slash some bots, and then decide.
If you found this guide helpful, make sure to browse more tutorials in our articles section. We cover everything from FPS boosts to advanced movement mechanics. Good luck, and may your next case opening be a Gold!