Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Black Ops Cold War Knife

MeleeWhen Create-a-Class opensTakes camo
MeleeKnife — Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War weapon render

How do you unlock the Knife?

The Knife is available when Multiplayer loadouts open in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. It fills the close-contact secondary role in the Melee catalog. Its melee rhythm should determine when you commit, reset and move. This guide stays with stable handling, access and camo progression instead of patch-sensitive damage or time-to-kill numbers. Its camo track finishes at Bliss (Get 2 or more rapid eliminations 25 times in Multiplayer). Complete every camo challenge on it and Gold unlocks. Earn Gold on every camo-eligible launch weapon required in its category for Diamond. Complete the required base-game class mastery route to earn Dark Matter Ultra.

UnlockDefault
AvailabilityBase-game Multiplayer progression.
Takes camoYes
Gold camoComplete every camo challenge on this weapon
Diamond camoEarn Gold on every camo-eligible launch weapon required in its category
Dark Matter Ultra camoEarn the required class mastery camos across the base-game weapon classes

Reviewed September 1, 2026. Launch roster and access facts were checked against official Call of Duty weapon/season articles; the completed roster was cross-checked with GamesAtlas and the camo catalog with the Call of Duty Wiki.

How does the Knife play in Black Ops Cold War?

Roleclose-contact secondary
Real-world basisBlack Ops Cold War in-game weapon; no unsupported real-world equivalence is asserted.
StrengthsThe Knife has a clear close-contact secondary identity; Its melee action gives the route a repeatable timing cue
TradeoffsThe melee timing still has to match the available range and cover; A poor route can erase the intended advantage of this melee entry
Useful setupUse cover and timing to close the final distance; Change route after the opponent starts holding it
Challenge noteComplete all 35 Multiplayer camo challenges on this weapon for Gold and all 35 Zombies challenges for Golden Viper. As a launch weapon, it belongs to the original class quota used by the top mastery routes.
Progression tipMultiplayer and Zombies use separate 35-camo ladders per weapon. The class and all-class mastery finishes are also separate by mode.
Camo tipUse the Knife from a route that gives its melee action time to work, then move before repeating the same angle.
Compared withUse the Knife as the reference point for the melee roster before comparing later entries.

Every camo, exact unlocks — see the full Black Ops Cold War camo directory.

Browse camos

Knife — common questions

How do you unlock the Knife in Black Ops Cold War?

The Knife is when Create-a-Class opens in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War multiplayer. The level cap is 55, and prestige is seasonal Prestige continues after the 55-level Military Rank path.

How do you unlock camos on the Knife?

Camo progress is per-weapon. Multiplayer and Zombies each use seven five-camo categories per weapon. Gold or Golden Viper completes the weapon; Diamond or Plague Diamond completes a class; Dark Matter Ultra or Dark Aether completes all classes in that mode. Progress is tracked separately on each weapon and separately between Multiplayer and Zombies. On the Knife the final tier is Bliss — Get 2 or more rapid eliminations 25 times in Multiplayer. After that, Gold needs every camo challenge on the weapon done, and Diamond needs Gold on every camo-eligible launch weapon required in its category, and Dark Matter Ultra requires mastery across the base-game weapon classes.

Can Boss help with Cold War mastery progress involving the Knife?

The Cold War service category currently lists full Multiplayer Dark Matter, Zombies Dark Aether and Max Rank packages. Check the product page for platform and inclusion details; this guide does not claim a standalone weapon unlock service. Review the exact service inclusions.

More Melee

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Check support before ordering

The Cold War service category currently lists full Multiplayer Dark Matter, Zombies Dark Aether and Max Rank packages. Check the product page for platform and inclusion details; this guide does not claim a standalone weapon unlock service.

Review exact service inclusionsPlatform or entitlement limits may apply