Its not a matter of varying opinions. Its fact.
Whether people are spec'd for scimmies (??) or not its the (2nd) best slashing smiter in the game. If yer paladin is longsword spec'd he's still better using a scimitar to smite, if yer cleric is morningstar spec'd yer better using a scimitar.
Its the crit range, forget about the name of the thing, its all about the crit range...
Why is this so hard to understand?
Dont worry about the base damage, dont worry about it being a **** weapon, when it has smiting on it it rocks.
And getting health back every hit?!?!?! Who cares??
Please, please read the posts above...my god.