Citadel 83mm or Embassy?

[spyderHS08]

Hey guys,

Looking to get my first auto here. Not sure which one I want though.
Trying to get some suggestions. Whats the better of the two (citadel or embassy). Price doesnt matter to me, theyre about the same. And what are some of your reasons, likes/dislikes of either? also Im looking at the PE versions if anyone is interested.

thanks for your help!! :thumbup:

 

[RevDevil]

I own a Citadel 83mm with a satin blade. I've carried it a few times, it's a very well made knife. The blade grind is very cool, super sharp as always, the handle has some decent grip to it.

 

[13ninjas]

Hey everyone......I don't post here too often, but feel my two cents is needed.

I handled all three Spyderco automatic knives at a gun/knife show a year or two ago.

IMO, the Embassy is a far better choice than the Citadel. Here is my reasoning based on me handling/fondling them for a while.

I liked the feel/conform of the Embassy handle MUCH better in my hand than the Citadel 83 or 92mm (but really only fair to compare it to the 83mm I suppose). I positioned my hand in a couple of different cutting positions and the Embassy felt lovely!! Better than the bulkier less aerodynamic Citadel. In addition, it seemed that the Embassy scales felt more durable and better constructed.

I also liked the blade better on the Embassy. IIRC, it was very similar in size and shape to the Citadel 83mm blade, except maybe a smidgen shorter. The Embassy however had a swedge grind (false edge) on the spine, which looks cooler/better than the non-swedge blade on the Citadel IMO.

Another thing.....I seemed to think the push button and safety switch felt like they functioned better than the Citadel's, more clean crisp movement/action.......sorta hard to explain.

Lastly, I liked the way the Embassy felt clipped in my pocket and being removed from my pocket better than the Citadel. I really like the feel of the G-10 inserted on the scales of the Embassy. It was enough to grip with your fingers but not drag on your pants. Make sense?

I also like that the butt end of the handle is much smaller and pointier than the big rounded Citadel butt. (Both in pocket and in hand.)

So there you have it.....my reasoning to why the Embassy is far superior to the Citadel 83mm.......I didn't even find one thing I liked better about the Citadel...................

.........What!!??? I'm down 7 to 1 in votes???? Ok............give me your reasons for liking the Citadel 83mm better than the Embassy guys. (I can't wait to hear them!) I'm sure it's not that you have a Citadel and have never handled an Embassy.

 

[13ninjas]

I own a Citadel 83mm with a satin blade. I've carried it a few times, it's a very well made knife. The blade grind is very cool, super sharp as always, the handle has some decent grip to it.

Have you held an Embassy before?

The G-10 inserts are SUPER GRIPPY!!!

Sounds better than......

the handle has some decent grip to it.

:thumbup::thumbup:

 

[13ninjas]

Hey guys,

Looking to get my first auto here. Not sure which one I want though.
Trying to get some suggestions. Whats the better of the two (citadel or embassy). Price doesnt matter to me, theyre about the same. And what are some of your reasons, likes/dislikes of either? also Im looking at the PE versions if anyone is interested.

thanks for your help!! :thumbup:

Hey, I forgot to mention the Embassy opened a tad quicker than the Citadel 83mm. I can't say that that is the case for all Embassy's vs. Citadel's, but it was for the two I handled.......(actually four, as I handled two Citadels, 92 and 83, and an Embassy, then bought an Embassy which was pulled out from under the table, not the display.......and it had the fastest/best snap!).......

 

[RevDevil]

Have you held an Embassy before?

The G-10 inserts are SUPER GRIPPY!!!

Sounds better than......

:thumbup::thumbup:

Yes, I've held an Embassy. I don't care for the 2 tone handle much, I just prefered the all black milled aluminum among other minor things. I prefer the grind on Citadel blade moreso than the Embassy. My cousin (LEO) has a Citadel and has used and abused that thing with nothing more than scratches on the handle. The Embassy does have the swedge, not something I am as enthusiastic about as you are. To each their own.

 

[Contained]

I have never held either, but by the look of em im a bit at a tie. i like the embassy for the look of its handle, but the citadel for the more tactical blade. both very good looking though!

 

[13ninjas]

The Embassy does have the swedge, not something I am as enthusiastic about as you are. To each their own.

I believe this is all I said about the swedge grind.....

The Embassy however had a swedge grind (false edge) on the spine, which looks cooler/better than the non-swedge blade on the Citadel IMO.

Sorry...............I'll try to contain my excitement/enthusiasm next time.

Now down 11 to 1 in votes........?????.....lets hear some more opinions from you Citadel fans!!!

Thanks RevDevil for giving your opinion. :thumbup: I like to hear a that your buddy uses his heavily and has experienced no problems. :thumbup: I've only carried mine a couple times and have never used it, as I have a different preference for EDC.

 

[philwar]

Voted Citadel, I simply like the looks of it so much more than the Embassy. I have a 92mm model on the way, and this must be the first folder I ever purposely bought with a black blade because it is tactical. Not that I think it will see much tactical use (although SD is always part of the reason I carry a knife) but this is a folder intended as a tactical knife. So it should be black.