Compare Cast Iron Pans
Lodge Blacklock 10.25 Inch Triple Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet scores higher on safety - here's why.
R3 scored the FINEX 10.5-Inch Cast Iron Skillet 4.3/10 and the Lodge Blacklock 10.25 Inch Triple Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet 9.3/10 on the same cast iron pans scoring system, weighing safety, efficacy, and usability. The Lodge Blacklock 10.25 Inch Triple Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet comes out ahead, led by its safety score (10.0/10 vs 2.6/10).
The most important dimensions, side by side.
See which one actually scores higher — and why
Free account unlocks full safety scores, spec-by-spec breakdown, and the R3 verdict on FINEX 10.5-Inch Cast Iron Skillet vs Lodge Blacklock 10.25 Inch Triple Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet.
Unlock the full FINEX 10.5-Inch Cast Iron Skillet vs Lodge Blacklock 10.25 Inch Triple Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet breakdown
Free account unlocks all safety scores, complete spec comparison, scoring rationale, and the R3 verdict on which one to buy.
Everything you need to make the call - who each one is for, and who should skip it.
Go for it if you...
You have verified with FINEX directly that the brass hardware has been reformulated or replaced since the 2015 independent lead test and received confirmation the current model is lead-free.
You are an adult-only household with no children or pregnant individuals, and you are willing to avoid direct contact with the handle hardware when cooking.
You want the most premium machined-smooth cast iron cooking experience and will independently verify the hardware lead status before purchase.
You want Lodge's verified safety profile with significantly lighter weight — 4.23 lbs vs 5.66 lbs for the standard Lodge
You prefer a factory-smooth cooking surface that releases food more easily right out of the box
You're comfortable with soybean oil seasoning and want the best Lodge ergonomics at a mid-range price
The main thing to know
An independent lead-safety researcher tested Finex using professional equipment and found lead in the brass hardware accents on the spring-wrapped handle. Lead has no safe exposure level for children. Until FINEX reformulates or independently verifies the hardware lead status, R3 cannot recommend this pan for families.
Lodge doesn't publish the Blacklock's cooking surface diameter, and all Lodge cast iron uses soybean oil seasoning. If either matters for your family, check the alternatives.
Skip this if you...
You have children in your home — independent lead testing found lead in the decorative brass hardware on the handle.
You are lead-conscious for any reason — the finding is confirmed by direct physical measurement, not an assumption.
You want a premium machined-smooth iron pan without the hardware lead concern — consider Stargazer or Solidteknics instead.
You or your family have a soy allergy — Lodge uses soybean oil for all their seasoned cast iron, including the Blacklock
You need the cooking surface diameter specified — Lodge doesn't publish this for the Blacklock line
You want grapeseed or flaxseed oil seasoning — consider Smithey or Lancaster instead
Neither of these quite what you're looking for?
I've reviewed all Cast Iron Pans options at every price pointEvery Cast Iron Pans in our database is scored using R3's deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. For this comparison, we evaluated FINEX and Lodge across 3 independent criteria: Safety (73%), Efficacy (16%), Usability (11%). No sponsored rankings. No paid placements.
Straight answers - no sponsored content, no filler.
I'd start with Lodge Lodge Blacklock 10.25 Inch Triple Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet - it scored 9.3/10 overall in our scoring system. Safety is our top-weighted scoring pillar, followed by efficacy, and usability. Check which pillar matters most to your family and compare those specific scores.
R3 uses a deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. We evaluate each Cast Iron Pans across Safety, Efficacy, Usability using independently verified data. No sponsored rankings. No paid placements. Every score is fully reproducible.
Not necessarily. The overall score reflects how we weight those three pillars, but your priorities may differ. If you care most about safety, compare the safety scores directly. If budget drives your decision, the prices tell a clearer story. The "right" pick is the one that matches what matters most to your family.
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