Ballistic Knife

The Ballistic Knife is a secondary weapon in Call of Duty: Black Ops.

Overview
When drawn, players can fire the knife's blade, which results in a silent one hit kill, much like the Throwing Knife and Tomahawk. The ammo held is only composed of two knives, but can be picked up from the ground or body. It is also much like Throwing Knife or Tomahawk in the sense that the blades will drop below the aimed point at distance. The blade travels far slower than the Tomahawk, which brings timing and anticipation into account when firing the weapon. Blades can be picked back up and reloaded into the handle to be used again even though more than one blade can be carried at a time. It does not replace the normal melee knife, which is still wielded with the left hand during melee attacks. However, it does speed the melee attack up significantly and seems to increase lunging distance. Killing a player with the Ballistic Knife's ranged attack gives the player the message "Skewer" at the top of the screen.

Multiplayer
The Ballistic Knife is one of the few available weapons in the new Sticks and Stones playlist in Black Ops, along with the Crossbow and Tomahawk. The Ballistic Knife is the Tier 20 weapon, the final one used, in Gun Game.

It is a secondary weapon in the "Specials" category and is unlocked at level 15.

Zombies
It is available through the Mystery Box. The player is able to pick up knives after being stuck into zombies. It isn't a favorable weapon, due to its low ammo count, low rate of fire, and low damage.

Trivia

 * If both blades are fired (i.e. no ammo) and a different weapon is equipped (the primary weapon), when a knife is picked up from the ground or a body the Ballistic Knife will be instantaneously reloaded (no reload animation), but only if it is not equipped when the knife is picked up.
 * It has been confirmed there is going to be a pack-a-punched Ballistic Knife in Call of Duty: Black Ops' zombie mode, and the player will be able to revive a team mate with a shot from the knife.
 * The Upgraded version of the Ballistic Knife is called The Krauss Refibrillator. Also when upgraded it will gain a bowie knife and 5 extra rounds.
 * If you knife while reloading, you can double stab an enemy. (Not always though)
 * It is also seen with 2 blades on each hand, even when it is out of ammo.
 * If you melee whilst brandishing this weapon, your attack will be noticeably quicker than if you wielded any other weapon.
 * A ballistic knife can actually be seen in the Single Player mission Numbers on a shelf next to the rack of the first available weapons cache. However this knife cannot be used and is only decorative.