Knife maps

Place the map's .bsp file in cstrike/maps. Any .wad files included with the map should go into cstrike, not cstrike/maps, and map sounds belong in cstrike/sound. On localized installations the folder might be cstrike_russian instead, and files there take precedence. Then select the map under New Game or enter map ka_mapname in the console.

The knife-only rule comes from server plugins or configs, not from the map file. ka_ maps are knife-arena layouts, while 35hp_ maps are designed for knife rounds where players start with low health, so fights end quickly. If you load the map locally without such a plugin, it will begin with normal weapons.

ka_ maps are made for knife-only rounds and are typically balanced so both teams have equal paths and cover. 35hp_ maps are layouts for knife rounds with low starting health, making positioning and first contact much more critical. Both types often come with bot navigation files so bots can navigate the layout.

CS 1.6 knife maps that support bots include a .nav file. Place it in cstrike/maps alongside the .bsp and give it the exact same name. If the .nav is absent or the name doesn't match, bots may remain still, get stuck, or never leave spawn. Consult your bot's documentation if you need to generate navigation data for a map that lacks it.

Ensure the .bsp downloaded fully, as a partial file often fails to load. Missing .wad files cause errors or missing textures, so put them in cstrike, not cstrike/maps. If you have both cstrike and cstrike_russian, check the localized folder for old copies of the same files, since it takes priority. Test the map with a different config or another map to determine whether the issue is the map or your installation.

Yes. Upload the .bsp to cstrike/maps, the .wad files to cstrike, map sounds to cstrike/sound and the .nav to cstrike/maps, then change the map with changelevel ka_mapname. Players also need the map, so enable client downloads or provide the files. On someone else's server your custom models and sounds can be replaced by the server's own files, and mismatched files can get you kicked for consistency.

Type map de_dust2 or any other standard map name in the console to switch away. To delete the knife map, remove its .bsp from cstrike/maps along with its .nav, its .wad and its sounds. If the map replaced shared files such as sprites or models, restore them from the backup you made before installing.