Editorial Standards
Steel Snob exists to give knife buyers guidance they can trust. These standards define how we produce that guidance, what we do when we get something wrong, and the lines we will not cross. They apply to every page on the site and are overseen by our Founder and Lead Reviewer, Marcus Vale.
Editorial Independence
Our reviews serve the reader and no one else. Steel Snob does not sell knives, and no manufacturer, brand, or third party can influence what we publish. We do not accept payment for coverage, rankings, or favorable wording, and brands do not preview or approve our content before it goes live. When a knife underperforms for its intended use, we say so plainly, even when the maker is well known.
No Pay-for-Placement
Placement in our rankings and recommendations is earned on merit alone. There is no paid tier, no sponsored slot, and no arrangement by which a brand can buy its way onto a list or move up one. Every position reflects how a knife performed against our testing criteria for its category.
Sourcing and Accuracy
We hold our claims to evidence. Performance judgments come from hands-on use wherever possible; factual details such as steel composition, hardness ratings, and dimensions are drawn from manufacturer specifications and established metallurgical references. We distinguish clearly between what we have tested directly and what we report from documentation, so readers always know the basis for a statement.
- We do not invent test results or exaggerate hands-on experience we did not have.
- Specifications are checked against maker data before publication.
- Trade-offs and limitations are stated openly, not buried.
- Claims about knife laws are framed as general guidance, not legal advice, and readers are pointed to verify current local rules.
Accuracy and Corrections
We will get things wrong from time to time, and when we do, fixing it is a priority. If a reader flags an error or we catch one ourselves, we verify it and correct the page promptly. Meaningful corrections are made openly rather than edited away in silence. Accuracy matters more to us than appearing infallible, and reader feedback is one of the most valuable checks we have.
How Often We Update
Knife models are revised and retired, steels build longer track records, and knife laws are amended. Because of this, our content is not static. We revisit reviews and guides when a product changes, when field experience shifts the picture, or when availability and specifications no longer match what we published. Updated pages reflect current information so that the guidance stays as reliable the year you read it as the day it was written.
If any part of the site falls short of these standards, we want to know. Reach out through our contact page and we will look into it.