5 Lesser Known Vintage Cast Iron Brands from Griswold, Wagner, and Lodge
Everybody knows Griswold. Everybody knows Wagner. Most people know Lodge. Those names earned their reputation because they made some of the best cast iron cookware America ever produced.
What a lot of people do not know is that those big foundries also made alternate lines of cast iron. Some were sold through department stores. Some were made as a more affordable option. Some were simply a different name on a really good pan.
These are not throwaway skillets. Many are outstanding users. They are lighter than you expect, cook beautifully, and can still be found without paying the price of a famous logo. Here are five vintage cast iron brands we always keep an eye out for.
Victor Cast Iron
Victor is one of our absolute favorite Griswold alternatives. It has a shorter wall and a little more thickness than some of the lightweight Griswold skillets. It reminds us a little of an early Lodge in the way it feels, but it is still surprisingly light in the hand.
Victor came in more than one style. Some have a simple three digit number in the center. Others are fully marked with the five line Victor logo. Every version has its own appeal, but all of them are great skillets to cook with. If you find a flat Victor with a good cooking surface, grab it.
Long Life Cast Iron
Long Life was made by Wagner and it is a great alternative to the familiar Wagner Ware stylized logo skillet. It has a smooth bottom, a bullet hole style handle, and a lightweight feel that makes it easy to use every day.
These pans have that clean Wagner profile we all love. They heat well, they move easily from stove to oven, and they feel right in the hand. Long Life is a name that does not get enough attention, which is exactly why it is such a fun find.
Good Health Cast Iron
Good Health is a Griswold made line with a look that feels close to a small block Griswold. It has a smooth bottom, a bullet hole style handle, and the same kind of lightweight cooking feel that makes old Griswold so popular.
It is a beautiful everyday skillet. You get a great vintage cooking surface without needing the biggest name on the bottom of the pan. Good Health is a smart line to know when you are looking through an antique store, estate sale, or flea market.
National Cast Iron
National is a Wagner made line and one of the lightest vintage skillets you can find. It has a heat ring and a profile similar to Wagner’s 1920s stylized logo cookware. You will most often see them in sizes 7, 8, and 9.
The shallow wall makes National especially good for cornbread, eggs, bacon, and quick stovetop cooking. A National skillet is easy to lift, easy to work with, and just plain fun to use. If you like early Wagner iron, you will love National.
Maid of Honor Cast Iron
Maid of Honor is one of those vintage lines that comes with a little mystery. Some collectors believe it was made by Lodge because of similarities in the casting and shape. Others are not convinced. We were not there, so we are happy to leave that question open.
What we do know is that Maid of Honor is excellent cast iron. These skillets are typically flat, sturdy, and a little more substantial than the lighter pans above. They are hard to find, which makes a good one even more satisfying when it turns up.
Whether you care about the maker debate or not, Maid of Honor is a line worth knowing. Find one in good shape and you will have a tough, dependable skillet with a lot of character.
Look Beyond the Logo
The best vintage cast iron is not always the pan with the biggest name. Victor, Long Life, Good Health, National, and Maid of Honor are all proof that there is more to old American cast iron than Griswold, Wagner, and Lodge alone.
Learn the names. Pick up the pans. Feel the weight. Look for a flat bottom and a clean cooking surface. You might find one of the best vintage skillets in the room while everybody else is still looking for the famous logo.
