The knife gives you a quiet, fast way to finish fights up close. It saves ammo, it breaks tight fights, and it can turn a bad moment into a win if you hit the right move. You can practice knife work in a CoD BO7 Bot Lobby to build timing and movement without the stress of ranked matches.
How to equip and use the knife
To pull out the combat knife you must press and hold the melee control. On PC hold the V key. On PlayStation push and hold R3. On Xbox push and hold RS. Hold the button until your operator draws the blade. Then step close and strike. The hold action puts the knife in your hands as a full melee weapon, not a quick butt-stroke. Practice the press and hold motion until it feels quick and natural.
How to switch back to guns fast
After you make a kill or decide to stop using the knife, you can swap back right away. Let go of the melee button and press your weapon swap. On consoles press Triangle or Y. On PC press the number for your primary or secondary or scroll the mouse wheel. The brief pause after a knife kill lets you ready a gun before enemies close in. Train the swap so it becomes an instant reaction.
When to use the knife in a fight
Use the knife in very close rooms, on narrow stairs, and when you flank an enemy. Use it to finish a wounded foe who is already turning away. Use it to save bullets if you are low on ammo. Use it when you have a speed build or perks that boost melee damage. Do not try a knife when you face multiple enemies at once. Do not try a knife if the enemy is aimed at you from far away. Choose moments where you can close fast and stay unseen until the strike.
Practice drills that work
Do short drills that repeat the same move. Run a corridor and stab one target, then swap to a gun and back. Time how long it takes you to draw, strike, and swap. Try the same drill with different guns so you learn which loadouts let you recover fastest after a kill. If you play with friends, run simple roles: one player moves in for the knife, the others provide cover fire. Use the buy BO7 Bot Lobby to repeat real situations without pressure. The bots give steady, repeatable targets so you can build muscle memory.
Small tips to sharpen your knife play
Aim for the side or back of an enemy when you close in. Walk or crouch to cut noise and avoid sprinting if you want to stay hidden. Time your approach to hit while their back is turned. If you miss, be ready to trade to a gun. Add a perk that speeds movement or raises melee damage when you want an aggressive melee build. Keep your knife play short and decisive so you do not get swarmed.