What melee weapons are in RDR2 online?

Sure, shooting someone is all fine and dandy but there’s a wide selection of Red Dead Redemption 2 melee weapons and throwables for you to bludgeon, stab, and immolate your foes with. Below, we’ll run through every Red Dead Redemption 2 melee weapon, where to find melee weapons, as well as where to pick up certain hard-to-find throwables.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Melee Weapons – What Are They and Where to Find Them

Knives

  • Hunting Knife – Location: Found in inventory from Chapter 1
  • Jawbone Knife – Location: Complete “Test of Faith”
  • Wide-Blade Knife – Location: Beryl’s Dream Mine
  • Civil War Knife – Location: The basement of Fort Brennand
  • Antler Knife – Location: Recover from a dead bear northwest of Hanging Dog Ranch
  • Machete – Location: Purchase from any fence after Chapter 5 mission “Dear Uncle Tacitus”

Swords

  • Broken Pirate Sword – Location: On a wrecked boat south of Saint Denis’ most southern bridge

Hatchets

  • Hatchet – Location: Purchase from any fence after Chapter 5 mission “Dear Uncle Tacitus”
  • Stone Hatchet – Location: After completing GTA Online bounty from Maude and killing 25 people with the Stone Hatchet, head to the Native Burial Site in Red Dead Redemption 2.
  • Double Bit Hatchet – Location: In a tree northwest of Wallace Station
  • Rusted Double Bit Hatchet – Location: In a tree in Annesburg
  • Hewing Hatchet – Location: South shore of Moonstone Pond
  • Viking Hatchet – Location: In the tomb northeast of Beaver Hollow
  • Hunter Hatchet – Location: In a tree south of Window Rock
  • Rusted Hunter Hatcher – Location: In a tree midway between O’Creagh’s Run and Elysian Pool
  • Cleaver – Location: Purchase from any fence after Chapter 5 mission “Dear Uncle Tacitus

Red Dead Redemption 2 Throwables – What Are They and Where to Find Them

  • Tomahawk – Location: Purchase from any fence or Trapper after Chapter 2 mission “Americans at Rest”
  • Throwing Knife – Location: Purchase from any fence or Trapper after Chapter 2 mission “Paying a Social Call” (Note: Also obtained during this mission)
  • Fire Bottle – Location:  Purchase from any fence or Trapper after Chapter 3 mission “The Fire Joys of Tobacco” (Note: Also obtained during this mission)
  • Ancient Tomahawk – Location: Sticking out of a target east of the Wapiti Indian Reservation
  • Dynamite – Location:  Purchase from any fence after Chapter 1 mission “Who the Hell is Leviticus Cornwall?”


The complete Red Dead Redemption 2 & Red Dead Online Weapons Database, featuring all Sidearms, Rifles, Throwables and Melee weapons that can be found or purchased. Filter the full list of weapons by Type, Manufacturer, Acquisition Method and more, and sort by Price, Statistics and Red Dead Online Unlock Rank. Clicking on each weapon brings you to their detailed information, including where to find them and ammunition types.

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/r/RedDeadRedemption - A subreddit dedicated to Red Dead Redemption & Red Dead Redemption 2, developed by Rockstar Games, the creators behind the Grand Theft Auto series. Red Dead Redemption 2 is an epic tale of life in America’s unforgiving heartland. The game’s vast and atmospheric world will also provide the foundation for a brand new online multiplayer experience.

Melee weapons can be used in close combat or stealth scenarios. Some of these weapons can also be thrown for added functionality.

Upon starting your adventure, Arthur will only have his trusty fists to fight with, but you'll soon gain a Hunting Knife, and can buy additional melee weapons to use in certain rough and tumble situations. There are also several unique melee weapons scattered across the map that can be collected.

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Antler Knife

Damage Range
2.0 of 4 0.4 of 4

The Antler Knife is a unique weapon. It functions like the hunting knife, but has a different appearance.

How to Obtain the Antler Knife

This knife can be found northwest of Hanging Dog Ranch, which is located slightly above Little Creek River. If you exit the large barn from the northwest side and proceed straight northwest, you will encounter a bear carcass further up the hills embedded with this knife.

Broken Pirate Sword

Damage Range
2.2 of 4 0.4 of 4

How to Obtain the Broken Pirate Sword

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This rad sword can be found in a wrecked boat on the tiny islands south of Saint Denis’ southern bridge. It has the same stats as the Machete, but is way cooler looking to whip out in a fight.

Civil War Knife

Damage Range
2.0 of 4 0.4 of 4

The Civil War Knife is a unique weapon. It functions like the hunting knife, but has a different appearance.

How to Obtain the Civil War Knife

This knife can be found southwest of Van Horn in the basement of Fort Brennand. Look on top of a crate to pick it up.

Cleaver

Damage Range Accuracy
2.4 of 4 1.0 of 4 1.0 of 4

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This deliciously devious blade can help you chop more than animal carcasses.

How to Obtain the Cleaver

Cleavers can be bought from Fences after "Dear Uncle Tacitus" in Chapter 5.

Double Bit Hatchet

Damage Range Accuracy
2.4 of 4 1.0 of 4 1.0 of 4

The Double Bit Hatchet is a unique weapon. It functions like the regular hatchet, but has a different appearance.

How to Obtain the Double Bit Hatchet

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You can find this hatchet in a stump northwest of Wallace Station in a tree stump.

Hatchet

Damage Range Accuracy
2.4 of 4 1.0 of 4 1.0 of 4

The Compendium states "...this powerful one-handed weapon can be swung to deliver a large amount of damage to an opponent. In a pinch, it can also be thrown at a target to take them down from a distance."

How to Obtain the Hatchet

Hatchets can be bought from Fences after "Dear Uncle Tacitus" in Chapter 5.

Hewing Hatchet

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Damage Range Accuracy
2.4 of 4 1.0 of 4 1.0 of 4

The Hewing Hatchet is a unique weapon. It functions like the regular hatchet, but has a different appearance.

How to Obtain the Hewing Hatchet

You can find this hatchet in a stump on the southern shore of Moonstone Pond, which is north of Emerald Ranch in the eastern Grizzlies.

Hunter Hatchet

Damage Range Accuracy
2.4 of 4 1.0 of 4 1.0 of 4

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The Hunter Hatchet is a unique weapon. It functions like the regular hatchet, but has a different appearance.

How to Obtain the Hunter Hatchet

You can find this hatchet in a stump directly south of Window Rock, which is west of Fort Wallace, just across the river.

Hunting Knife

Damage Range
2.0 of 4 0.4 of 4

Beyond being a more damaging melee weapon, the Hunting Knife is imperative for being able to skin and butcher your hunting kills to get the pelts you need.

With the hunting knife equipped, you can also sneak up on unaware enemies and kill them by sticking your knife into the enemy to avoid loud engagements.

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The hunting knife is the only melee weapon that can be customized at a gunsmith to change its appearance.

How to Obtain the Hunting Knife

This weapon is in the player's inventory at the beginning of the game.

Jawbone Knife

Damage Range
2.0 of 4 0.4 of 4

The Jawbone Knife is a unique weapon. It functions like the hunting knife, but has a different appearance.

How to Obtain the Jawbone Knife

This knife is the reward for completing "A Test of Faith", the side quest for Deborah MacGuiness.

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John's Knife

Damage Range
2.0 of 4 0.4 of 4

John's Knife is a unique weapon. It functions like the hunting knife, and only differs slightly in appearance.

How to Obtain John's Knife

This knife is added to the player's inventory after "Motherhood" in Epilogue 1.

Machete

Damage Range
2.2 of 4 0.4 0f 4

Much like the Hunting Knife, the Machete can be used for quiet lethal attacks, as well as impromptu sword fights, or hacking your way through thick undergrowth. It boasts more damage than a knife - but not by too much.

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How to Obtain the Machete

Machetes can be bought from Fences after "Dear Uncle Tacitus" in Chapter 5.

Ornate Dagger

Damage Range
2.0 of 4 0.4 of 4

The Ornate Dagger is a unique weapon. It functions like the hunting knife, but differs significantly in appearance.

How to Obtain the Ornate Dagger

This knife can be picked up after solving the riddle of the Mysterious Writings in Saint Denis.

Rusted Double Bit Hatchet

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Damage Range Accuracy
2.4 of 4 1.0 of 4 1.0 of 4

The Rusted Double Bit Hatchet is a unique weapon. It functions like the regular hatchet, but has a different appearance.

How to Obtain the Rusted Double Bit Hatchet

You can find this hatchet in a stump in Annesburg.

Rusted Hunter Hatchet

Damage Range Accuracy
2.4 of 4 1.0 of 4 1.0 of 4

The Rusted Hunter Hatchet is a unique weapon. It functions like the regular hatchet, but has a different appearance.

How to Obtain the Rusted Hunter Hatchet

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You can find this hatchet in a stump by a shack in-between O’Creagh’s Run and Elysian Pool.

Stone Hatchet

Damage Range Accuracy
2.4 of 4 1.0 of 4 1.0 of 4

The Stone Hatchet is a unique weapon. It functions like the regular hatchet, but has a different appearance.

How to Obtain the Stone Hatchet

You can find this hatchet at the Native Burial site, but only if you have an active Grand Theft Auto Online account.

Unarmed

Damage Range
1.2 of 4 0.4 of 4

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Fists are best used when settling certain saloon disputes - especially when your intent is to beat down and intimidate but not necessarily kill.

When fighting unarmed, you can grapple with opponents in an attempt to push them back, and block attacks to wait for an opening to hit them where it hurts. Press and hold the X button on Xbox (Square for PS4) to block incoming strikes, then lash out with B on Xbox (Circle for PS4). If you press Y on Xbox (Triangle on PS4), you can grapple an opponent, and continue your beatdown, or hold Y/Triangle to try choking them out.

Viking Hatchet

Damage Range Accuracy
2.4 of 4 1.0 of 4 1.0 of 4

The Viking Hatchet is a unique weapon. It functions like the regular hatchet, but has a different appearance.

How to Obtain the Viking Hatchet

You can find this hatchet in a tomb northeast of Beaver Hollow.

Wide-Blade Knife

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Damage Range
2.0 of 4 0.4 of 4

The Wide-Blade Knife is a unique weapon. It functions like the hunting knife, but has a different appearance.

How to Obtain the Wide-Blade Knife

This knife can be found in a dead body deep inside Beryl’s Dream Mine, west of Mount Shann. Blow up the rocks at the entrance to get inside.

The Best Melee Weapon

Here is the best melee weapon in the game and how to find it.

Hatchet

Damage Range Accuracy
2.4 of 4 1.0 of 4 1.0 of 4

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How to Obtain the Hatchets

The standard hatchet can be bought from Fences after "Dear Uncle Tacitus" in Chapter 5. All the unique hatchets can be located and collected at any time.

Notes

  • The weapons with an "Accuracy" stat can be thrown. Once thrown, they are removed from the player's inventory. Thrown melee weapons can be retrieved, and thus returned to inventory, to be used again.
  • When a unique melee weapon is thrown, a gold handgun will appear on the mini-map and the main map representing the location of the thrown weapon. If the player moves away from the weapon far enough that it is out of range of the mini-map, then the weapon will disappear. It will then respawn at its original location.

Up Next: Pistols

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In This Wiki Guide

What melee weapons are in RDR2 online?

What is the best melee weapon in RDR2 online?

Top 10 Best Melee Weapons in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Viking Hatchet. Of all melee weapons in the entire game, none compare to the epic Viking Hatchet..
Wide-Blade Knife. ... .
Antler Knife. ... .
Double Bit Hatchet. ... .
Rusted Hunter Hatchet. ... .
Rusted Double Bit Hatchet. ... .
Jawbone Knife. ... .
Civil War Knife. ... .

Are there swords in RDR2 online?

The Broken Pirate Sword in RDR2 can only be picked up around the map, it is Found in a wrecked boat on the small islands directly south of the southern bridge in Saint Denis (Bayou Nwa, Lemoyne) . It cannot be otherwise purchased.

Are there melee weapons in RDR2?

There are also several unique melee weapons scattered across the map that can be collected.