Mike M.

Mike M. runs Bolt & Vault as part of Iron Mako Media, his independent portfolio of gear-review sites. He ranks safes on what can be verified (certifications, published specs and recall records) and labels every pick with how it was evaluated.

How Mike ranks safes

Iron Mako Media's stated approach is plain: tested when possible, researched when not, and labeled either way. On Bolt & Vault, every pick is labeled "Researched." That means Mike checked whether an independent lab listed the safe, read the maker's published construction and lock specs, searched the CPSC recall database, and scored the result on the public rubric at How We Rate. It does not mean he owns, installed or lab-tested the unit, and no page on this site says otherwise.

If Mike does install or use a specific safe, the page will say exactly what was done (for example, "bolted to a concrete slab and used daily for three months") with original photos. Until then, "Researched" is the honest label.

What you won't find here

• Credentials or job titles he doesn't hold.
• Claims that he has handled or lab-checked a safe he hasn't.
• Instructions for opening, bypassing or defeating any safe or lock.
• Rankings paid for by a brand. Commissions never set a score or decide a pick.

Contact

Questions and corrections go to mike@blackironathletics.com. Mike reads every message. More about the publisher is at Iron Mako Media.