Compare Cast Iron Pans
Smithey No.10 Cast Iron Skillet (10 Inch) scores higher on safety - here's why.
R3 scored the Smithey No.10 Cast Iron Skillet (10 Inch) 9.3/10 and the FINEX 10.5-Inch Cast Iron Skillet 4.3/10 on the same cast iron pans scoring system, weighing safety, efficacy, and usability. The Smithey No.10 Cast Iron Skillet (10 Inch) 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 Smithey No.10 Cast Iron Skillet (10 Inch) vs FINEX 10.5-Inch Cast Iron Skillet.
Unlock the full Smithey No.10 Cast Iron Skillet (10 Inch) vs FINEX 10.5-Inch 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 want XRF-verified lead-free status from an artisan brand with a premium polished finish
You prefer grapeseed oil seasoning over soybean oil — a meaningful difference for soy-sensitive families
You're willing to pay a premium for the widest cooking surface (9 inches) in the verified-safe group
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.
The main thing to know
At 6.7 lbs, the Smithey is the heaviest pan in the verified-safe group — two-handed transfer from stovetop to oven is recommended. This is the main usability trade-off vs Lodge Blacklock at the same overall score.
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.
Skip this if you...
Weight is a concern — 6.7 lbs is the heaviest in the verified-safe group; Lodge Blacklock achieves the same overall score at 4.23 lbs
You are budget-constrained — Lodge L8SK3 at around $30 earns the same maximum safety score for a fraction of the price
The pan is currently unavailable on Amazon — verify retail availability before purchasing
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.
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 Smithey and FINEX 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 Smithey Smithey No.10 Cast Iron Skillet (10 Inch) - 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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