Cast Iron Skillets · owner-verdict comparison

Lodge Blacklock 12 Inch Skillet vs Victoria 10 Inch Cast Iron Skillet: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Victoria 10 Inch Cast Iron Skillet: 98% of 41 owners recommend it, vs 76% of 122 for the Lodge Blacklock 12 Inch Skillet.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Lodge Blacklock 12 Inch Skillet

76%of 122 owners recommend

76% recommend · 11% neutral · 13% don't

Owners praise

Turns nonstick after a few uses and regular seasoning, with eggs sliding out clean
Noticeably lighter than a classic Lodge, making it easier to lift, maneuver, and wash
Holds up better than pricier competitors like Field, Stargazer, and Smithey for the price

Owners complain about

Handle is uncomfortable, has sharp/rough edges, or feels like a weak point that could snap
Factory pre-seasoning is thin and flakes off quickly during early cooking
Still heavy enough to be tiring or hard to handle for some owners, especially larger sizes

Full owner report →

Victoria 10 Inch Cast Iron Skillet

98%of 41 owners recommend

98% recommend · 0% neutral · 2% don't

Owners praise

Longer, easier-to-grip handle
Strong value for the price
Smoother cooking surface than a Lodge

Owners complain about

Weak factory seasoning out of the box

Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Lodge Blacklock 12 Inch Skillet if

✓Cooks who want a lighter, easier-to-handle alternative to classic Lodge cast iron
✓Steak and sear enthusiasts who want a pan that heats fast and holds high heat
✓Buyers wanting near-vintage smoothness without hand-sanding a regular Lodge
✓Anyone who already accepts cast iron upkeep and wants premium fit/finish for less than boutique brands

Skip it if

Anyone bothered by the stock rough/gritty cooking surface before seasoning builds up
Buyers sensitive to handle comfort, the redesigned handle draws repeat complaints

Get the Victoria 10 Inch Cast Iron Skillet if

✓Everyday cooks wanting an affordable daily-driver skillet
✓Buyers who prefer a longer handle and better ergonomics than Lodge
✓Cooks wanting a smoother surface that releases eggs well
✓Oven users who value the deeper walls and big pour spouts

Skip it if

Buyers expecting flawless factory seasoning out of the box
Anyone wanting a mirror-smooth, fully milled cooking surface

What Lodge Blacklock 12 Inch Skillet owners say

“I love my Blacklock. It’s surface is smoother than the rest of the Lodge line, and I’ve never had anything stick.”
— @gingerchipper on YouTube

“Beautiful piece of cast Iron!”
— @Passionforfoodrecipes on YouTube

“the lighter weight, redesigned handle with the triple pre-seasoning doesn't seem to me to be worth the over double cost”
— @paulnormandin5267 on YouTube

What Victoria 10 Inch Cast Iron Skillet owners say

“In my opinion, is notoriously superior in a similar price range.”
— @juanpabloarango606 on YouTube

“I recommend the Victoria.”
— @jacob1207 on YouTube

“I purchased the 10" skillet off of Amazon, for $17. While I really like the physical shape of the pan and the metal itself seems to be nice and even. I was not so happy with the factory seasoning.”
— nashitaka on Reddit

Lodge Blacklock 12 Inch Skillet vs Victoria 10 Inch Cast Iron Skillet: frequently asked questions

Is the Lodge Blacklock 12 Inch Skillet or the Victoria 10 Inch Cast Iron Skillet better?

Real owners lean toward the Victoria 10 Inch Cast Iron Skillet: 98% of 41 owners recommend it, vs 76% of 122 for the Lodge Blacklock 12 Inch Skillet.

Who should get the Lodge Blacklock 12 Inch Skillet?

Owners point the Lodge Blacklock 12 Inch Skillet at cooks who want a lighter, easier-to-handle alternative to classic Lodge cast iron, and steak and sear enthusiasts who want a pan that heats fast and holds high heat.

Who should get the Victoria 10 Inch Cast Iron Skillet?

Owners point the Victoria 10 Inch Cast Iron Skillet at everyday cooks wanting an affordable daily-driver skillet, and buyers who prefer a longer handle and better ergonomics than Lodge.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Lodge Blacklock 12 Inch Skillet is handle is uncomfortable, has sharp/rough edges, or feels like a weak point that could snap. For the Victoria 10 Inch Cast Iron Skillet, it's weak factory seasoning out of the box.