Comfort is a huge part of why this knife has been so popular, and after spending time with it, I can see why. Geoff Blauvelt from TuffKnives has been collaborating with a lot of manufacturers lately, and his design language is practically everywhere. While not every one of his designs fits my style, I’ve got to give the man credit — the PsyOp shows off his ergonomic sensibilities in a big way. In fact, it reminds me of some other Vosteed designs I’ve enjoyed, and that’s no bad thing. The handle's gentle arc nestles comfortably into the palm, and I appreciate the extra jimping on the backspacer. Lately, I feel like I’ve been criticizing knives left and right for skipping this basic yet critical detail. That added traction is a game changer when you’re bearing down on a cut.
Underneath, the PsyOp features a pair of finger grooves that let you shift your grip depending on how serious you’re getting with your cutting. There's your standard grip for everyday tasks, and then there's that option to choke up for controlled, power cuts — a small detail that makes a big difference in real-world use. The Micarta handles themselves strike a perfect balance: grippy without being overly rough, and pocket-friendly without shredding fabric. It’s an easy carry that feels substantial without being overbuilt.
On the mechanics side, the PsyOp features Vosteed's top liner lock — essentially a hybrid between a button lock and a liner lock. It’s an intuitive, user-friendly system that’s as simple as pushing a button, making it approachable even for folks who aren't knife nerds. Lockup is solid, with zero blade play in any direction, and I love that authoritative snap when the lock engages. It’s the kind of tactile feedback that just feels right.
The pocket clip is Vosteed's standard deep-carry design, made from steel, and honestly, I prefer this over a milled titanium clip any day of the week. Lately, we’ve seen a trend where every manufacturer feels the need to slap milled clips on everything, but I appreciate that Vosteed sticks with what works. Steel clips are strong, easy to adjust, and more forgiving when you inevitably snag them on a chair arm — which, in my case, happens more often than I’d like to admit.
When it comes to the business end of the PsyOp, we’re looking at a 3.32-inch drop point blade in Elmax steel — a steel choice that makes perfect sense for a knife meant to perform. Elmax offers outstanding edge retention, excellent corrosion resistance, and toughness, putting it right up there with M390 and 20CV. The blade shape hits that sweet spot: there's enough belly for slicing while keeping a defined point for piercing tasks. Vosteed went with a full flat grind here, which seems to be the industry standard these days, and I’m certainly not complaining. Sure, part of me misses the days when hollow grinds were everywhere, but this grind offers superb cutting performance and easy maintenance.
The jimping on the spine is well placed, providing solid grip when you’re bearing down, and the swedge adds a touch of style while keeping the blade profile sleek. Out of the box, the factory edge came in at about 22 degrees per side, but I took it down to 17 degrees with my sharpening system — and let me tell you, this thing became a laser. It slices through material like a hot knife through… well, anything in its way. Whether it's breaking down boxes, cutting rope, or handling finer tasks, the PsyOp performs cleanly, efficiently, and comes back for more.
Deployment is equally satisfying, thanks to the ceramic ball-bearing pivot and dual opening methods. The thumb hole and front flipper both work beautifully, with the flipper tuned at just the right height and angle for effortless thumb swiping. Once deployed, the flipper tucks away seamlessly into the handle’s lines, keeping the profile clean and uninterrupted.
The Vosteed PsyOp is one heck of a knife that keeps showing up ready for work. It easily handles anything I throw at it and has genuinely impressed me with its balance of comfort, performance, and thoughtful design. If you're looking for something rugged, sharp, and built with real-world tasks in mind, this is a knife that deserves your attention. Geoff Blauvelt’s touch is all over this design, and the result is a tool that’s not only practical but also fun to use. Whether you’re deep in the EDC game or just want a reliable cutter that looks good and feels even better, the PsyOp absolutely earns a spot in your rotation. It’s a knife that doesn’t just perform — it invites you to reach for it again and again.
