Made in USA
The FINEX No. 8 is the showpiece of American cast iron: an octagonal, machine-polished skillet with a signature stainless-and-brass spring handle. It is the heaviest and most beautiful pan in this cluster, now made by a Portland design studio that Lodge itself acquired — iron cast in Tennessee, then machined and finished by hand in Oregon.
✓ Research & Evidence-Based✓ Manufacturing Verified✓ No Manufacturer Influence✓ Updated July 2026
At a Glance
Made in America Review Score
A Research & Evidence-Based review: scored on the same weighted six-criteria model as every product on this site, using manufacturer specifications, verified manufacturing details, warranty terms, materials, published expert reviews, and long-term owner consensus.
This product has not been hands-on tested. Our rating is based on verified manufacturing information, published specifications, independent reporting, retailer data, and long-term reputation.
We independently verify where each product is actually made and score it on the same weighted six-criteria model. Manufacturers do not pay for placement, and we accept no free products in exchange for coverage. See our review methodology.
American Manufacturing
Verified: July 2026
FINEX has one of the more interesting manufacturing stories in American cookware. Founded in Portland, Oregon in 2012 and funded through two Kickstarter campaigns, it was acquired in 2019 by Lodge Cast Iron — Lodge’s first-ever acquisition in its 120-plus year history. Today the iron is cast at Lodge’s foundries in Tennessee, then shipped to Portland where FINEX drills, machines, polishes, assembles, and seasons every skillet by hand. It is genuinely made in the USA end to end — a rating we verified against the manufacturer and independent press, not through hands-on testing.
| Cast in | Tennessee (Lodge foundries) |
| Machined & finished in | Portland, Oregon |
| Manufacturing status | Made in USA |
| Company ownership | Subsidiary of Lodge Cast Iron since 2019 (founded 2012, Portland) |
| Materials | American cast iron, stainless steel and brass handle; no coatings |
Manufacturing Confidence: High Factory location verified (Portland, Oregon) · current US production · independent confirmation (Buy American Campaign) · company confirmation (finexusa.com).
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Machine-polished cooking surface is smooth and quick to build a slick, near-nonstick patina
- Iconic octagonal shape with two pour spouts is genuinely useful, not just handsome
- Stainless-and-brass spring handle stays cooler and adds a real heirloom feel
- Made in the USA from casting (Tennessee) to finishing (Oregon), backed by Lodge
- “Good Forever” lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Heavy — around 6.3 lb, the heaviest 10-inch pan in this cluster
- Premium price for a skillet; you pay for design and finish
- The spring handle is beautiful but still gets hot and can trap seasoning
- Sold mostly direct and through specialty retailers
Performance
Surface and seasoning
Like Field, FINEX machines and polishes the cooking surface rather than leaving it rough from the mold. Owners and reviewers consistently report that it arrives well seasoned and becomes reliably slick with regular use, releasing eggs and fish far more easily than a standard as-cast pan.
Weight and heat
This is a heavy pan, and that is the point. At roughly 6.3 pounds it carries more thermal mass than either the Lodge or the Field, holding heat hard for a deep, even sear. The trade-off is heft: it is less nimble to lift and move one-handed, so it rewards cooks who value searing power over maneuverability.
Design and handling
The octagonal rim gives you pour points all the way around, and the sprung stainless handle stays cooler than bare cast iron for longer. It works on every heat source including induction, plus the oven, grill, and open fire. More than any pan here, it doubles as a piece you are happy to leave on the stove.
Specifications
The Verdict
Buy this if: you want the most beautiful, most distinctive cast iron pan made in America and you value searing power and heirloom design over light weight.
Skip this if: you want something light and easy to swing one-handed — look at the Field No. 8 — or you simply want the best value, which is the Lodge.
Bottom line: at $150 the FINEX is a design-object skillet you will hand down: heavy, gorgeous, superbly finished, and honestly made in the USA from Tennessee iron to Oregon craftsmanship.
Products, manufacturing locations, and specifications change over time. If you have spotted an error or have verified information that would improve this review, we would appreciate your help.
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Where to buy
The FINEX 10″ skillet is sold direct by FINEX with the lifetime “Good Forever” guarantee.
How It Compares
- Choose FINEX for a design-led octagonal skillet with a smooth surface and spring handle.
- Choose Lodge for the best everyday value.
- Choose Smithey or Stargazer for other polished, American-made options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FINEX made in the USA?
Yes — FINEX cast iron is made in Portland, Oregon.
What makes FINEX different?
Its octagonal shape, machined-smooth cooking surface, and signature coil spring handle.
Is FINEX pre-seasoned?
Yes, FINEX pans come pre-seasoned with organic flaxseed oil.
Is FINEX oven and induction safe?
Yes — like all cast iron, it works on every cooktop and in the oven.
Is FINEX worth the premium?
If you want a design-led, smooth-surface heirloom skillet, yes; for pure value, Lodge is hard to beat.
Where to buy
FINEX cast iron is available direct from the maker. You can also read the brand’s story on Buy American Campaign.
Related Guides
Buying Guide
The Best Made-in-USA Cast Iron Skillets
Lodge, Field, FINEX, Smithey, and Stargazer — how to choose your American-made skillet.
