Black Ops 6: How to Unlock the Close Shave Perk & Is It Worth Using?

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Valencia

Guide Curator at GladiatorBoost

I’m the voice behind the blogs here at GladiatorBoost—diving deep into the gaming world to bring you guides, updates, and stories that actually help (and maybe even entertain a little). Whether it's breaking down the latest boosts or highlighting cool moments in your favorite games, I’m here to make the digital grind a little more fun.

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How to Get the Close Shave Perk in Black Ops 6 (And Whether You Should Use It)

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 takes bold steps with its new Omnimovement system, loadout tweaks, and the addition of a dedicated Melee Slot, allowing players to rethink how they approach close-range combat. While the game still retains its fast-paced, modern feel, it’s also reintroducing classic mechanics that longtime fans will appreciate — one of which is panic knifing.

The Close Shave Perk is the latest addition to Black Ops 6’s Multiplayer meta, letting players bring back old-school melee mechanics with a modern twist. But how do you unlock it? And is it actually worth equipping in your loadout?

Let’s break down how to unlock Close Shave, what it does, and how it fits into today’s multiplayer environment.

🗝️ How to Unlock the Close Shave Perk in Black Ops 6

The Close Shave Perk is tied to the Black Ops Tribute Event, which runs across both Black Ops 6 and Warzone. Here’s how to get it:

• Requirement: Earn 180,000 XP during the Tribute Event

• Deadline: The event ends on May 1 at 10 AM PT

• Game Modes: You can earn XP by playing either Black Ops 6 Multiplayer or Warzone

Once unlocked, the Close Shave Perk will be added to your Enforcer Perk pool, available for loadouts in Multiplayer only. If you miss the event, the perk will eventually be made available via the Armory, though it will likely require specific challenges to unlock.

🧠 What Does the Close Shave Perk Actually Do?

The Close Shave Perk restores a classic mechanic to the game: automatic melee attacks with your dedicated melee weapon, even when you have a gun equipped.

Here’s how it works:

• Automatic Weapon Swap: When pressing the melee button, you instantly use your melee weapon from the Melee Slot — no need to manually switch first.

• Quick Return: After the melee attack, you automatically switch back to your previously equipped weapon.

• One-Hit Kill Potential: If your melee weapon (e.g., Knife, Cleaver, Sai) is a one-hit kill, Close Shave allows for instant kills without the need to swap weapons.

🎯 This makes the Perk incredibly valuable for aggressive players who like to push corners or ambush enemies — or for those grinding Melee Weapon Camos.

🪓 Best Melee Weapons to Pair with Close Shave

Not all melee weapons are created equal in BO6, especially when used with this perk. Here’s how to get the most out of Close Shave:

✅ Top Picks:

• Knife

• Cleaver

• Sai

These are all one-hit kill options that pair perfectly with Close Shave, allowing for quick, lethal strikes and smooth transitions back to your primary.

⚠️ Avoid These for Close Shave:

• Kali Sticks

• Baseball Bat

These require two hits to kill, which negates the panic knife effectiveness that Close Shave aims to bring back. While fun, they’re less efficient in fast-paced combat unless used deliberately.

⚖️ Is Close Shave Worth It?

✅ Why You Should Use It:

• Great for aggressive, close-range players

• Ideal for fast-switch melee kills

• Helps complete Melee Weapon challenges or Camo grinds

• Saves crucial time in intense 1v1 scenarios

• Preserves your primary weapon utility while offering melee flexibility

❌ Why You Might Skip It:

• Doesn’t boost movement speed like holding a melee weapon does

• Two-hit melee weapons still require two strikes, even with the perk

• Replaces another valuable Perk 1 slot (unless using Perk Greed Wildcard)

• Doesn’t function in Warzone (Multiplayer only)

📌 If your playstyle revolves around speed, flanking, and high-pressure tactics — or you’re aiming to finish off enemies quickly — Close Shave can be an excellent addition to your build.

🆙 Fast Track Your Unlock with GladiatorBoost BO6 Bot Lobbies

Grinding out 180,000 XP during the Tribute Event can be time-consuming, especially for players with limited game time. If you’re looking to unlock Close Shave quickly or want to level up your Melee Weapons while minimizing frustration, consider GladiatorBoost’s BO6 Bot Lobby services. These safe, private lobbies allow you to farm XP, weapon kills, and challenges with ease — ideal for anyone looking to stay competitive without the grind.
👉 Check out BO6 Bot Lobbies from GladiatorBoost

💡 Tips for Using Close Shave Effectively

• Play Small Maps: Maps like Nuketown and Shipment-style layouts are perfect for fast melee kills.

• Run Melee Enhancing Perks: Combine Close Shave with perks that increase sprint speed or reduce enemy awareness.

• Use Audio Cues: Listen for footsteps and pre-aim melee corners.

• Push Flanks: Surprise enemies by swinging around the side — Close Shave works best when you catch opponents off guard.

Final Verdict: Should You Use Close Shave in BO6?

For fans of classic CoD panic knife moments or players grinding through melee weapons, the Close Shave Perk is a must-unlock. It revives a fan-favorite playstyle and provides a high-risk, high-reward edge in close combat. While it’s not for everyone — particularly long-range and tactical players — it brings depth and personality to BO6’s evolving perk meta.

If you’re planning to unlock it before the event ends, now’s the time to grind — or let GladiatorBoost help you get it done faster.