The People’s Knife: Vosteed Psyop Micarta Review

I’ve been keen to get my hands on a knife with a little more bulk. Everything seems to be going smaller and lighter, and I found myself looking for a knife that had a “dense” feel in my hand — something that makes me believe it would survive the apocalypse (or at least a life lived outdoors).

With that in mind, Vosteed’s Psyop Micarta struck a chord for me.

Small enough to carry comfortably in most situations, but with a weight that feels substantial in hand, the Psyop boasts a generous 3.3-inch blade and tough, worn-in Micarta handle. Overall, the knife just felt right from the moment I first held it — and that should not be a surprise.

When faced with how to improve on the previous version of the Psyop, Vosteed created a “Psyop Survey” and solicited feedback from its customers and the knife community at large.

The result is a knife that combines the best of that feedback.

I’ve tested this knife over several weeks, using it as my primary carry any day I wear jeans that can handle an EDC of this size. I’ve tested the Psyop Micarta on everything from daily tasks chopping and cutting for meal prep and slicing open boxes and packaging to heavier-use situations like cutting rope, whittling wood, and prying open cans. And it was at my side from office days to weekend getaways. 

In short: Made with customer feedback in mind, the Psyop Micarta is an all-around workhorse and a capable EDC. While it is larger and heavier than I am used to, I found myself noticing that less over time and enjoying using a bigger blade for daily tasks and weekend adventures. This knife has a place for anyone who wants a single knife for detailed tasks and outdoor activities alike.

Vosteed Psyop Micarta Review

Vosteed said the Psyop Micarta is a product of community feedback and ideas, and claimed it surveyed customers and other knife communities to understand what consumers wanted.

The result: reversible carry options, multiple colors, Norpex UltreX Micarta handle, a top liner lock, and a more affordable price. There are six different color options available, ranging from teal and red to natural and black stonewash, so you can buy a knife that matches your vibe. The aluminum pivot collar and backspacer bring a touch of contrast as well.

First Impressions

When I first handled the knife, the blade really stood out. It has a generous belly that makes it ideal for slicing and chopping, along with a pointed tip for easy piercing. And it’s not just the profile that makes the Psyop seem substantial; at 3.31 inches long and 3.5 mm thick, it’s hefty — like a bodybuilder in a sea of endurance athletes.

It has a simple, worn-in aesthetic but with a weight and size that beg for heavyweight tasks. At 4.31 ounces, it fills the hand and feels well-balanced when open and in use.

It has a button-operated top-liner lock with an oblong-shaped button that is easy to locate with your thumb and fits the overall aesthetic quite well. The action is smooth, snapping open with a quick push of the locking button and a flick of the wrist. I find myself sitting and playing with the knife often.

The Micarta handle is distinguished and gives the knife a classy, worn-in feel. It’s very comfortable to hold and use without any noticeable hotspots. The handle’s overall size is large compared to most folders I’ve used, so it would likely appeal to users with larger hands.

Steel and Materials

The blade is made with Elmax steel, lauded for its high resistance to chipping and cracking — generally a solid option for demanding cutting tasks. Elmax is also resistant to corrosion and holds a sharper edge longer than the super-popular SV30; however, it can prove more difficult to sharpen than SV30 when the time comes.

The top of the blade has about an inch of jimping, which makes it easy to keep a firm handle on the knife when you’re choked up on the grip.

The handle is U.S.-made Norplex UltreX Micarta. It is durable and suitable for a variety of environments. Whether you leave the knife in the baking sun all day or forget it in your freezing-cold car, the handle won’t be burning hot or freezing cold to the touch, and more importantly, you won’t have to worry about warping or cracking.

One of my favorite things about the Micarta handle is that it remains grippy even when it is damp or wet. And its texture lends it a comfortable, tactile feel.

Lock and Carry

The Psyop has a button-operated top-liner lock — something I had never used before. It impressed me right out of the box.

Not only is it fun to fidget with, but it is very smooth and intuitive. With the push of the button and a light flick of the wrist, the blade snaps open with a satisfying, high-pitched “click.” It is very stable when locked, and there is nearly no play in the blade when it is open and the lock is engaged.

The button is oblong-shaped, making it easy to identify by feel alone. And if you prefer to open it with your thumb, there is a well-positioned thumb groove there, too. The opening and locking mechanism uses ceramic ball bearings, making for buttery smooth action.

Vosteed and Geoff Blauvelt were on point when designing this knife; once the blade is deployed, the front flipper tab merges with the continuation line of the handle to keep the sleek aesthetic in place. Finally, the deep carry clip can be put on either side of the knife to fit your preference.

Testing: Bringing the Brawn

When I test knives, I like to make them my primary everyday carry (and primary everything) knife across the board. While I’m at home and preparing dinner, I use the knife for all cutting, opening, and prying tasks in the kitchen.

However, this knife is burlier than many other knives I use and carry, so I went out of my way to do more heavy testing. Thankfully, it is finally starting to feel like spring in Minnesota, so I’ve been using knife testing as another reason to take mini adventures on weekends and weeknights.

I am not someone who whittles often, but this knife feels like it was made for outdoor tasks like whittling. I put it to the test cutting and shaping different wood I found on hikes. I loved the way the knife felt in a more forward position, and the jimping on the spine of the blade was critical for deeper slices.

Beyond that, I snagged a few different things that I could puncture, slice, cut, and pry to see what this knife could do — including slicing some spare rope similar to tent guy lines for tents. I didn’t want to actually cut through any of my tenting equipment, but the extra rope served as a good test for how easily I would be able to cut through a tangled mess.

The most surprising (and painful) test was using the knife to open a thick can of wet dog food. Let’s be real — a knife is a tool, and tools are meant to be used. So I dipped the Psyop right through the top of the can and carved around the lid with ease. The blade remained sharp, and there weren’t any marks from the metal-on-metal operation.

With a weight of 4.31 ounces, this knife feels relatively heavy, but it remains balanced and steady in the hand. I feel as comfortable using it for everyday light-cutting tasks as I do more brute tasks, like chopping and cutting kindling at camp.

Meanwhile, the Micarta handle shined in every scenario, which I’ve come to expect. It’s comfortable to hold with any style of grip, and the texture keeps your hand locked in place while you’re cutting, slicing, or puncturing. Sweaty hands aren’t an issue, and even when running the handle underwater and reusing it to prep dinner, it’s still tacky and consistent.

A Few Considerations

The biggest drawback for me is the overall size and weight of the knife. I’ve become used to most knives going smaller and lighter, and this was not the case. This knife has some heft and stands out in my collection for that reason. I wouldn’t want to carry the Psyop in joggers or lighter weight pants — or any situation where I was trying to be more discreet.

But I like it a lot. That weight also suggests the knife is tough. And while I might have to be more selective which days I choose to carry it, I love carrying and using a knife that has some density to it when it’s appropriate. Anyone who hasn’t been corrupted by the all-things ultralight movement, this may not give you a second thought.

Another consideration is the button release location. It is so easy to locate and so smooth to operate that I have some concern I may bump it during heavier cutting tasks and release the blade. So far, it’s remained out of the way enough to not be a major concern, but it does still weigh in the back of my mind.

Finally, this was my first experience with an Elmax blade steel, and I’ve been impressed so far. It remains tack sharp after a plethora of different testing scenarios and general daily use. But there are plenty of accounts of Elmax blades being more difficult to sharpen than other steels. While I haven’t had the need yet, I’ll be curious to see how that process goes and will update this review when I do.

Final Thoughts

Vosteed turning to its consumers for feedback on what to offer with the newest Psyop and actually listening is a classy play. Keeping the design that made the Psyop popular while moving away from carbon and titanium in order makes it possible to hit a much more palatable price point of $169. And while it isn’t made with titanium or carbon like its predecessors, you’re still getting a build with higher-end materials that are made to last.

My experience with the Psyop Micarta has been impressive — it has a great feel despite being bigger than my norm, and the action is effortlessly smooth. Whether I’m cutting into packages, making a meal at camp, or tackling other outdoor activities, this knife is up for the task. If you’re not afraid to carry a little extra weight around, this knife is a worthy do-it-all workhorse.