Knife

For the uncraftable jade variant, see jade knife.

The knife is a primitive, sharp melee weapon. It deals a low amount of damage, but has a short cooldown, making it friendlier to unskilled users.

Acquisition

Knives can be crafted at the crafting spot, fueled smithy or smithy with 30 Stuff (Metallic, 300 for SMVs) and 1,800 ticks (30 secs) of work. It can also be purchased from any outlander and orbital combat suppliers, or obtained from outlander and pirate raiders drops.

A plasteel knife is given at the beginning with Crashlanded scenario.

Analysis

Knives are low-tier melee weapons, being cheap and fast to produce.

Crashlanded

In the Crashlanded scenario, you receive a normal quality plasteel knife. This is roughly as strong as a normal steel longsword, and stronger than most other steel weapons of normal quality. Compared to the longsword, the knife attacks faster for less damage per hit, and is marginally worse against armor.

The quick attacks also help colonists with low melee skill, who might want to train melee due to a passion or a trait like brawler.

Naked Brutality

As you can make knives in a crafting spot, creating knives can be useful in Naked Brutality and other low-resource scenarios. But, provided you have 2 Crafting, the short bow should be your go-to weapon. As a ranged weapon, it is generally better for defense, and lets you hunt 0% manhunter animals without getting hurt (even docile animals will retaliate in melee). If wood isn't available (e.g. in an ice sheet or desert), you might have to make a knife, as they can be made out of steel.

In terms of melee weapons, Clubs are your direct crafting spot alternatives. Clubs have 2 advantages over knives: they can be made out of wood, and they have no quality. While a steel club is worse than a "normal" quality steel knife, they are better than a poor or awful knife. Also note, that as blunt weapons, clubs are less likely to cause bleeding or decapitate limbs. This makes them somewhat worse in combat, but better if you want to capture.

Considering metals other than steel: a plasteel knife is better than any club, and a uranium club is better than a uranium knife.

Crafting knives

Smithing unlocks a variety of weapons. Despite the gladius and ikwa being more expensive, both are worse than the knife (of the same material/quality). Why is this?

The melee verb selection system, introduced in 1.1. Each weapon has multiple attacks, or verbs, with some better than others. The game's infobox incorrectly calculates the likelihood of each attack (it uses RimWorld 1.0 values). For example, the knife is assumed to use "Bad" attacks more often than it does in practice. With this in mind, knives have a "true" DPS of 7.23, rather than the gladius' 7.13 or ikwa's 6.75.
The impact of Cut damage type. Of the 3 weapons, knives are the most likely to deal Cut damage. Whenever a Cut attack is rolled, it has a chance to cleave. When a weapon cleaves, it deals 140% damage, spread throughout body parts.

While cleaving reduces the chance to destroy body parts, it deals more pain, which gets enemies into pain shock faster. Pain shock is the most common way to disable enemies in combat, much more likely than body part destruction. Even mechanoids, who don't feel pain, can only lose so much HP before dying in combat.

Maces deal less DPS, but as they do Blunt damage, they have a substantial niche compared to the knife. Once longswords are available, knives are statistically worse than a sword (assuming same material/quality).

You could make knives in order to train Crafting skill, but as clubs can be made of wood or stone, they are generally the better option. Once an electric smithy is available, plate armor requires more work and can be made out of wood.

Attack table

Feature	Toggle
Attacks
Quality

Knife				Handle (Blunt)					Blade (Cut)					Point (Stab)					Human: Left & right fist (Blunt)					HP	Value
Quality	Material	DPS^[1]	AP^[1]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	Dam.	Cool.	AP	DPS	Chance^[2]	HP	Value
Awful	Bioferrite	7.16	17.43%	6.48	2s	9.36%	3.24	6.25%	12.48	1.5s	18.72%	8.32	75%	13.52	2s	20.8%	6.76	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	200	19
Awful	Gold	4.53	11%	7.2	2s	10.4%	3.6	6.25%	7.2	1.5s	10.8%	4.8	75%	7.8	2s	12%	3.9	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	60	1505
Awful	Plasteel	7.46	15.07%	6.48	1.6s	9.36%	4.05	6.25%	10.56	1.2s	15.84%	8.8	75%	11.44	1.6s	17.6%	7.15	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	280	142
Awful	Silver	5.01	12.18%	7.2	2s	10.4%	3.6	6.25%	8.16	1.5s	12.24%	5.44	75%	8.84	2s	13.6%	4.42	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	70	153
Awful	Steel	5.74	13.95%	7.2	2s	10.4%	3.6	6.25%	9.6	1.5s	14.4%	6.4	75%	10.4	2s	16%	5.2	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	100	32
Awful	Uranium	5.86	15.46%	10.8	2.2s	15.6%	4.91	6.25%	10.56	1.65s	15.84%	6.4	75%	11.44	2.2s	17.6%	5.2	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	250	96
Poor	Bioferrite	7.98	19.42%	7.29	2s	10.53%	3.65	6.25%	14.04	1.5s	21.06%	9.36	75%	15.21	2s	23.4%	7.61	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	200	29
Poor	Gold	5.02	12.19%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	6.25%	8.1	1.5s	12.15%	5.4	75%	8.78	2s	13.5%	4.39	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	60	2255
Poor	Plasteel	8.29	16.76%	7.29	1.6s	10.53%	4.56	6.25%	11.88	1.2s	17.82%	9.9	75%	12.87	1.6s	19.8%	8.04	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	280	215
Poor	Silver	5.56	13.52%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	6.25%	9.18	1.5s	13.77%	6.12	75%	9.95	2s	15.3%	4.97	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	70	230
Poor	Steel	6.38	15.51%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	6.25%	10.8	1.5s	16.2%	7.2	75%	11.7	2s	18%	5.85	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	100	48
Poor	Uranium	6.52	17.2%	12.15	2.2s	17.55%	5.52	6.25%	11.88	1.65s	17.82%	7.2	75%	12.87	2.2s	19.8%	5.85	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	250	144
Normal	Bioferrite	8.79	21.41%	8.1	2s	11.7%	4.05	6.25%	15.6	1.5s	23.4%	10.4	75%	16.9	2s	26%	8.45	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	200	39
Normal	Gold	5.51	13.38%	9	2s	13%	4.5	6.25%	9	1.5s	13.5%	6	75%	9.75	2s	15%	4.88	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	60	3005
Normal	Plasteel	9.13	18.46%	8.1	1.6s	11.7%	5.06	6.25%	13.2	1.2s	19.8%	11	75%	14.3	1.6s	22%	8.94	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	280	285
Normal	Silver	6.11	14.85%	9	2s	13%	4.5	6.25%	10.2	1.5s	15.3%	6.8	75%	11.05	2s	17%	5.53	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	70	305
Normal	Steel	7.02	17.06%	9	2s	13%	4.5	6.25%	12	1.5s	18%	8	75%	13	2s	20%	6.5	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	100	64
Normal	Uranium	7.18	18.94%	13.5	2.2s	19.5%	6.14	6.25%	13.2	1.65s	19.8%	8	75%	14.3	2.2s	22%	6.5	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	250	192
Good	Bioferrite	9.61	23.4%	8.91	2s	12.87%	4.46	6.25%	17.16	1.5s	25.74%	11.44	75%	18.59	2s	28.6%	9.3	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	200	48
Good	Gold	5.99	14.56%	9.9	2s	14.3%	4.95	6.25%	9.9	1.5s	14.85%	6.6	75%	10.73	2s	16.5%	5.36	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	60	3505
Good	Plasteel	9.97	20.15%	8.91	1.6s	12.87%	5.57	6.25%	14.52	1.2s	21.78%	12.1	75%	15.73	1.6s	24.2%	9.83	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	280	355
Good	Silver	6.66	16.19%	9.9	2s	14.3%	4.95	6.25%	11.22	1.5s	16.83%	7.48	75%	12.16	2s	18.7%	6.08	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	70	385
Good	Steel	7.65	18.62%	9.9	2s	14.3%	4.95	6.25%	13.2	1.5s	19.8%	8.8	75%	14.3	2s	22%	7.15	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	100	79
Good	Uranium	7.84	20.69%	14.85	2.2s	21.45%	6.75	6.25%	14.52	1.65s	21.78%	8.8	75%	15.73	2.2s	24.2%	7.15	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	250	240
Excellent	Bioferrite	10.42	25.39%	9.72	2s	14.04%	4.86	6.25%	18.72	1.5s	28.08%	12.48	75%	20.28	2s	31.2%	10.14	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	200	58
Excellent	Gold	6.48	15.75%	10.8	2s	15.6%	5.4	6.25%	10.8	1.5s	16.2%	7.2	75%	11.7	2s	18%	5.85	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	60	4005
Excellent	Plasteel	10.8	21.85%	9.72	1.6s	14.04%	6.08	6.25%	15.84	1.2s	23.76%	13.2	75%	17.16	1.6s	26.4%	10.73	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	280	425
Excellent	Silver	7.21	17.52%	10.8	2s	15.6%	5.4	6.25%	12.24	1.5s	18.36%	8.16	75%	13.26	2s	20.4%	6.63	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	70	460
Excellent	Steel	8.29	20.18%	10.8	2s	15.6%	5.4	6.25%	14.4	1.5s	21.6%	9.6	75%	15.6	2s	24%	7.8	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	100	95
Excellent	Uranium	8.5	22.43%	16.2	2.2s	23.4%	7.36	6.25%	15.84	1.65s	23.76%	9.6	75%	17.16	2.2s	26.4%	7.8	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	250	290
Masterwork	Bioferrite	13.23	32.28%	11.75	2s	16.97%	5.87	12.5%	22.62	1.5s	33.93%	15.08	75%	24.51	2s	37.7%	12.25	12.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	200	97
Masterwork	Gold	7.7	18.72%	13.05	2s	18.85%	6.53	6.25%	13.05	1.5s	19.58%	8.7	75%	14.14	2s	21.75%	7.07	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	60	5005
Masterwork	Plasteel	14.17	27.64%	11.75	1.6s	16.97%	7.34	12.5%	19.14	1.2s	28.71%	15.95	75%	20.74	1.6s	31.9%	12.96	12.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	280	710
Masterwork	Silver	8.58	20.86%	13.05	2s	18.85%	6.53	6.25%	14.79	1.5s	22.19%	9.86	75%	16.02	2s	24.65%	8.01	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	70	765
Masterwork	Steel	9.89	24.07%	13.05	2s	18.85%	6.53	6.25%	17.4	1.5s	26.1%	11.6	75%	18.85	2s	29%	9.43	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	100	159
Masterwork	Uranium	10.16	26.79%	19.58	2.2s	28.28%	8.9	6.25%	19.14	1.65s	28.71%	11.6	75%	20.74	2.2s	31.9%	9.43	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	250	480
Legendary	Bioferrite	15.05	36.73%	13.37	2s	19.31%	6.68	12.5%	25.74	1.5s	38.61%	17.16	75%	27.89	2s	42.9%	13.94	12.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	200	194
Legendary	Gold	8.67	21.09%	14.85	2s	21.45%	7.43	6.25%	14.85	1.5s	22.28%	9.9	75%	16.09	2s	24.75%	8.04	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	60	6005
Legendary	Plasteel	16.12	31.45%	13.37	1.6s	19.31%	8.35	12.5%	21.78	1.2s	32.67%	18.15	75%	23.6	1.6s	36.3%	14.75	12.5%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 0%	280	1420
Legendary	Silver	9.67	23.53%	14.85	2s	21.45%	7.43	6.25%	16.83	1.5s	25.25%	11.22	75%	18.23	2s	28.05%	9.12	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	70	1530
Legendary	Steel	11.17	27.18%	14.85	2s	21.45%	7.43	6.25%	19.8	1.5s	29.7%	13.2	75%	21.45	2s	33%	10.73	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	100	315
Legendary	Uranium	11.48	30.28%	22.28	2.2s	32.18%	10.13	6.25%	21.78	1.65s	32.67%	13.2	75%	23.6	2.2s	36.3%	10.73	6.25%	8.2	2s	12%	4.1	2× 6.25%	250	960

^{For the full effects of qualities, see Quality.}

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Note: This is the actual base average derived from the melee verb system updated in 1.1.2610, it may sometimes disagree with the listed value in the in-game infobox.
It may also change depending on the stats and the melee verbs available to the wielder if the weapon is wielded by some other than a baseline human.
↑ Chance for attack to be selected, assuming the weapon is wielded by a baseline human. It may change depending on the melee verbs available to the wielder