Spyderco Citadel Review and Pictures
Spyderco Citadel Review and Pictures
As fan of automatic knives, I was excited to see Spyderco enter the market. It is a big undertaking to step up to the plate, against some big names that have been established in the automatic knife market for some time. I knew Spyderco had to get it right the first time, and the Citadel does.
I made a post in the “restricted items” thread, asking Kristi if it was OK to post a review, and it as encourage, so here goes.
From an automatic standpoint, the Citadel is a pretty basic button fired auto. Which is not a bad thing at all. The blade is made of S30V and has a bit of an Endura 4 profile. It does have a smaller than normal Spyderhole, which is there for trademark proposes only (the knife is not double action, meaning you cannot open it the hole). The handle is aluminum, and the textured grip is similar to what you would find on the Benchmade 520/5000/155/140/3300, et al. However, the tops of the ridges are softer and still provide the same grip, but should be a bit less abrasive to pockets than the similar Benchmades. The clip is the standard black Spyderco clip. It is of good size and thickness for pocket carry, not being to thick or uncomfortable.
The button/safety layout is a bit similar to Gerber/Emerson Alliance, where they both are side mounted and next to each other. The button is oversized (which is nice) and has an average amount of travel to fire the knife. It can be a bit gritty at times, however that is normal for this type of knife, and should improve with wear. The safety is nicely made and is free of binding and moves positively. It is a nicely machined sliding button and is well done. Both button and safety sit in a recessed area in the handle. Of course, as is the case with all button locked autos... It is made for a right handed person...
As for the good part.... The firing action (hey the part we all love!) Speed is average, and “kick” is average to strong. It does have a unique “snap” at the end of the firing cycle. Some of my auto buddies feel the knife has more torque than average. Again, these things are all subjective. It does fire well, I would rate it average to above average in speed and kick.
The knife shaved hair out of the box (as you would expect) and the blade profile would well for utility or defense.
Overall, a wonderful start to the automatic line of knives for Spyderco, and should give the other guys a run for the money.
I made a post in the “restricted items” thread, asking Kristi if it was OK to post a review, and it as encourage, so here goes.
From an automatic standpoint, the Citadel is a pretty basic button fired auto. Which is not a bad thing at all. The blade is made of S30V and has a bit of an Endura 4 profile. It does have a smaller than normal Spyderhole, which is there for trademark proposes only (the knife is not double action, meaning you cannot open it the hole). The handle is aluminum, and the textured grip is similar to what you would find on the Benchmade 520/5000/155/140/3300, et al. However, the tops of the ridges are softer and still provide the same grip, but should be a bit less abrasive to pockets than the similar Benchmades. The clip is the standard black Spyderco clip. It is of good size and thickness for pocket carry, not being to thick or uncomfortable.
The button/safety layout is a bit similar to Gerber/Emerson Alliance, where they both are side mounted and next to each other. The button is oversized (which is nice) and has an average amount of travel to fire the knife. It can be a bit gritty at times, however that is normal for this type of knife, and should improve with wear. The safety is nicely made and is free of binding and moves positively. It is a nicely machined sliding button and is well done. Both button and safety sit in a recessed area in the handle. Of course, as is the case with all button locked autos... It is made for a right handed person...
As for the good part.... The firing action (hey the part we all love!) Speed is average, and “kick” is average to strong. It does have a unique “snap” at the end of the firing cycle. Some of my auto buddies feel the knife has more torque than average. Again, these things are all subjective. It does fire well, I would rate it average to above average in speed and kick.
The knife shaved hair out of the box (as you would expect) and the blade profile would well for utility or defense.
Overall, a wonderful start to the automatic line of knives for Spyderco, and should give the other guys a run for the money.
Excellent review! Thanks
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It's okay for me to talk about my job, as long as I'm not specific. I am the Sergeant of a three-man Rapid Tactical Force at one of America's largest indoor retail shopping areas. - Gecko_45
The more you learn about knives, the better Spyderco looks. - Sal
- tonydahose
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i asked Kristi if any more knives were planned with the scales like the citadel's because i love them and they are super grippy but alas none are planned. Nice review.
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did you notice they have 2 different citadels now at knifecenter, one is shorter i think.
negative / opinionated comment from RIOT:
i guess you have to be a fan of automatics in order to completley enjoy the citadel, im a true fan of the locking folders with the hole that actually works or it can be flung out with inertia, thats what i think of when i hear or see spyderco :spyder: . im just not use to the citadel i guess, ill still buy another new version just because its cool but i perfer the good ole orginal spydercos !! :spyder:
negative / opinionated comment from RIOT:
i guess you have to be a fan of automatics in order to completley enjoy the citadel, im a true fan of the locking folders with the hole that actually works or it can be flung out with inertia, thats what i think of when i hear or see spyderco :spyder: . im just not use to the citadel i guess, ill still buy another new version just because its cool but i perfer the good ole orginal spydercos !! :spyder:
Great Review
Thanks for sharing, i lvoved the pics, i feel sorry that these beauties are restricted almost everywhere
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:spyder: :spyder: :cool: :spyder: :spyder: Now, why can't a simple guy like me have the Honor of owning such Beauty :rolleyes: :) :D
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Spyderco Rocks!!!! "A wise man once said all knives were created equal...Obviously, he meant Spydercos''
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- ClockWork
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I cant wait to get my Citadel. It is deffenately next on the list.
I had a bit of a slush fund saved up... but the I accidently spent it on a ATR... oops.
As soon as I get paid from job numero tres, I will have enough to get it Sweeeeet!!!!
Not to be feeding the trolls.... BUT:
How would you really compare it to say... a Benhmade Auto?? Cause I was also looking at maybe a Benchmade Spear point Auto-Strkyer. Which would you rather have? And yes... I know asking that on the Spyderco forums, I might get a few funny looks....
Thanks guys....
_CLOCK
I had a bit of a slush fund saved up... but the I accidently spent it on a ATR... oops.
As soon as I get paid from job numero tres, I will have enough to get it Sweeeeet!!!!
Not to be feeding the trolls.... BUT:
How would you really compare it to say... a Benhmade Auto?? Cause I was also looking at maybe a Benchmade Spear point Auto-Strkyer. Which would you rather have? And yes... I know asking that on the Spyderco forums, I might get a few funny looks....
Thanks guys....
_CLOCK
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- Fred Sanford
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Actually I don't see a problem, some of the most extensive and glowing reviews of this knife are actually on the Benchmade Forum on the company site.ClockWork wrote:I cant wait to get my Citadel. It is deffenately next on the list.
I had a bit of a slush fund saved up... but the I accidently spent it on a ATR... oops.
As soon as I get paid from job numero tres, I will have enough to get it Sweeeeet!!!!
Not to be feeding the trolls.... BUT:
How would you really compare it to say... a Benhmade Auto?? Cause I was also looking at maybe a Benchmade Spear point Auto-Strkyer. Which would you rather have? And yes... I know asking that on the Spyderco forums, I might get a few funny looks....
Thanks guys....
_CLOCK
Benchmade makes a good auto, and they have plenty of experience making one. It a strange sort of way, it feels a lot like a Benchmade auto, but has the unmistakable Spyderco feeling. I like how the blade spine rises to make a great thumb ramp.
It feels a lot like a Benchmade 5000, but slimmer and smoother (in a good way).
I like the controls on this better than most button locked Benchmades.
I have had (or currently have) 10 different Benchmade autos. I have an auto Stryker. The Stryker will will be thinner and not as long. The controls are better on the Spyderco, and the like the blade better. Both are top notch autos, I might give the nod to the Citadel. Mostly because it is a more modern design at this point.
- jaislandboy
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- Dr. Snubnose
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Thanks for the review, I own the Benchmade 5000, and appreciate the comparison to the Citadel, I'm a Dalton Auto man myself...but wouldn't mind owning an auto made by Spyderco, it sure has nice lines....Doc
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