Just remember that they do break. Son was trained as a chef and would not consider anything but Le Creuset. He has broken two. I have always though Lodge is the best, but about 10 years ago saw a box of skillets being opened and put out for display at a hardware store. About 3 of them were cracked like eggs where they were nested together. I have two lodge dutch ovens that I keep saying I will get rid of because of weight, but each time I use one, I praise it. In my family, a good cast iron skillet is considered a family heirloom to be passed down through the generations.