Iron, Dirt &
Honest Reviews
Meet Piotr. 15 years of swinging coils, digging trash, and chasing history in the British isles.
The Man Behind the Coil
My name is Piotr Lesniewski, and my journey didn't start with a shiny £1,000 machine. It started with my grandfather's old analog beeper in a wet field in Scotland. I was barely tall enough to swing it, but the first time I dug up a Victorian penny, I was hooked for life.
Over the last 15 years, I've detected on everything from the rocky coasts of the Highlands to the deep plough of Lincolnshire. I've used the entry-level machines that beep at wet grass, and I've mastered the high-end multi-frequency beasts.
What separates me from the rest is my obsession with the "unfindable." I don't just stick to the easy parks; I trek into the remote, rain-soaked corners of the British Isles where the history is deep and the signals are faint. This relentless pursuit of the past has taught me exactly what a metal detector needs to survive in the real world, not just on a test bench.
The White Whale
Every detectorist has one find that eludes them. For me, it's a Roman Coin. Despite 15 years of searching, the Romans seem to have avoided my specific patches of Scotland. But I'm still looking.
I started Iron & Dirt for one simple reason: the internet is full of "reviews" written by people who have never held a spade. I wanted to build a resource that smells like wet soil, not a marketing department.
I am a card-carrying member of the National Council for Metal Detecting (NCMD).
MY CODEOF ETHICS
I fill every single hole. If I can't leave the ground looking like I found it, I don't dig it.
I report all potential Treasure Act finds to the local FLO (Finds Liaison Officer).
I strictly follow the Countryside Code. Gates stay closed, livestock stays calm.
I never touch live munitions. If it looks like a bomb, I call the police, not a buddy.
I always obtain permission from the landowner before detecting. No permission, no dig.
I never detect on protected archaeological sites (Scheduled Monuments) without a special license.
I remove all trash I dig. "Take it home, don't leave it for the cows."
I respect the seasons. I stay off crops until the farmer gives the green light.
I am an ambassador. If a walker asks what I'm doing, I stop and explain, I don't hide.
I record significant finds with the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) to help preserve history.
Our Review Process
We judge every machine on four brutal criteria:
- Depth in MineralizationAir tests are fake news. We test how deep it hits in wet, mineralized UK soil.
- Separation SpeedCan it pick a coin out of a carpet of iron nails?
- Build QualityWill the camlocks snap in winter? Is the arm cup flimsy?
- Value for MoneyIs it actually worth the price tag compared to a Nokta Legend?
Independent & Unbiased
We are supported by affiliate links. This means we buy our own batteries. Manufacturers do not pay for our opinions. If a machine leaks, we say it leaks.
Transparency Disclosure
At Iron & Dirt, honesty is our currency. However, to maintain a comprehensive database of metal detectors spanning decades, we need to be clear about how we operate:
AI Assistance
We utilize Artificial Intelligence tools to assist in researching technical specifications, structuring articles, and proofreading. Additionally, some illustrative images on this site may be generated or enhanced by AI to ensure high visual quality where official photography is unavailable.
Legacy Reviews
While we strive to field test every machine, some reviews regarding discontinued or legacy detectors may be based on Piotr's historical experience from years ago, rather than a brand new field test performed today.
Product Ownership
We do not permanently own every detector listed on this site. Many are personal units, some are borrowed from fellow detectorists, and some are tested at rallies. We base our verdicts on the time we have with the machine.
Fair Comment & Opinion
All reviews and "verdicts" on Iron & Dirt constitute the personal opinion of the author and are protected as "fair comment" under UK defamation law. While we strive for accuracy, we are humans digging in mud, and unintentional factual errors can occur.
This disclosure is provided to ensure full transparency with our readers and to clarify that while our expertise is real, our content production is modern and efficient.