I just received my Sonora Large with helper handle. Used it 3 times and so far, amazing.
The Sonora Large Pan is incredible. It is a beautiful object and has brought so much joy to my cooking already. The photo is of my pan after about 3 weeks of use, and the seasoning is developing exactly as described on the Santa Barbara Forge website. After just a few days of seasoning according to the instructions, the pan became nonstick, with fried eggs sliding off easily. The pan gets better every time I cook, and the ritual of caring for the pan after use feels rewarding, like a little project to look forward to with each meal. The weight of the pan is nicely balanced: it feels good in the hand, and is easy and satisfying to handle. I've been cooking in cast iron for years, and handmade carbon steel is a game changer. Cast iron still has its place in my kitchen, but for most meals that I cook, the food prepared in the Sonora Large Pan tastes noticeably better. I am super happy with this purchase, would highly recommend for anybody who wants to bring another level of delight and flavor to their cooking.
So far, I’ve only used it three times and it is already far in a way the best pan I have ever owned. I absolutely love it. I can’t wait to cook on it more and get more of these pans. I’m thinking about the extra large