Edward Mark Orlinski, 26, told a terrified woman he would slit her throat and threatened to "gut" a man with the blade during the ordeal.
He then threatened to get a gun and shoot them as he was being led away by police, Calderdale magistrates heard.
Waseem Raja, prosecuting, said Amy Clarkson and John Sinister were at home when Orlinski, who was drunk, arrived at 1am on June 6 at Lumbutts Road in Todmorden.
He said: "The defendant poured himself a drink and started to become rude towards Ms Clarkson. He was asked to leave and then held a knife at her throat."
Orlinski threatened to slit her throat and to "gut" the other person.
Mr Raja said: "He was waving a 12-inch bread knife around as he was saying this."
Ms Clarkson ran outside and soon after the police arrived.
As he was being led away he threatened to get a gun and shoot them before spitting on the dashboard inside the police vehicle.
Graeme Park-inson, for Orlinski, said: "He is very much ashamed of his behaviour."
Orlinski, of Hammerton Terrace, Todmorden, admitted threatening behaviour and possessing an offensive weapon.
He was given an 18-month community order with a supervision requirement and ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work. He was told to attend a drug and alcohol misuse programme and was ordered to pay £200 compensation and £60 costs.