A house guest punched his host and threatened to kill him, a court heard.
John Finn was in a group of people who went to Thomas Brummitt's place in Chelsea Road, Easton.
But when Finn became angry about something said he punched Mr Brummitt in the eye, grabbed a kitchen knife and told him: "I'm going to f-ing kill you."
Finn, 44, of Street, denied wrongdoing but was convicted of assault and making a threat to kill.
Judge Julian Lambert told him: "By rights I ought to lock you straight up.
"But there is a possibility you have finally turned a corner here.
"You have a nasty record for violence and a very quick temper, a lot of which has been down to drink and abuse of controlled drugs."
The judge handed Finn a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.
Finn was ordered to undergo a Thinking Skills programme, carry out 180 hours' unpaid work and 30 days' rehabilitation and stay off controlled drugs.
He was also told to abide by a six-month curfew in which he must stay at home from 9pm to 6am.
Rupert Russell, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court Finn had gone to Mr Brummitt's home, where a group of people drank and talked.
But trouble flared when Finn became angry, punched Mr Brummitt to his left eye and threatened to kill him.
The court heard Mr Brummitt went to a neighbour's house and called police.
Finn admitted pushing Mr Brummitt but denied picking up a knife or making a threat to kill.
A probation officer told the judge Finn was now largely abstinent from cocaine and had made attitude changes.
