I like the Barbarian Frisbee idea. Might be fun to machine some spikes into the edges. New business idea for the current era: Apocalypse Cast Iron! Having flashbacks to the Road Warrior movie from the early 80's...
Even with the rougher texture, I agree...it's different now. The Lodge stuff is still fine with a PROPER patina...it does take a little extra treatment, though. And bacon. Lots and lots of bacon
. Doesn't take much to sand the interior surface down, though, if it's really an issue. I'm happy to do that if it means I can buy an American-made product. If you ever get the chance, there is a National Cornbread Festival in South Pittsburg, Tennessee in the spring. Besides having absolutely *mind-blowing* cornbread, it also happens to be the home of the Lodge factory...and the festival is the only time they open the factory up for tours. It was REALLY cool seeing how everything is manufactured.