Well worth the extra cost. Very happy with the product. Great features.
I brought a 10 inch fry pan direct from HexClad, I liked it so much I just brought a 12 inch pan on Amazon. I have had the 10 inch pan for about a week and I love it. I own a parrot and PTFE/PFOA, when overheated creates a deadly gas for birds so chemical free was a priority. I have a large gas grill with heavy iron grates so durability and even heating matters. Normally, I find celebrity endorsed products to be "gimmicky," but not here. The pans are very well made and even aesthetically pleasing. The black patterned surface with stainless trim looks good and hides staining. The pan is solid and moderately heavy and the handle is big making it good for large hands. It's ability to withstand 900 deg. (as advertised ) in an oven is a feat. With regard to its non-stick qualities, it is very good provided you follow the simple seasoning instructions and follow their heat recommendations. If you do, eggs, meats and sauces slip right off and you only need a soft sponge to clean the pan. The pan heats very quickly and evenly. HexClad claims that medium heat has the cooking effect as high heat which is true so you must be careful with you heat levels or you will burn the food. The pan finish feels diamond hard and slippery-smooth despite the embossed pattern. I used a steel fork to scramble eggs. There was not a mark or a scratch so their claim that you can use metal utensils is true (within reason). Still, I prefer hard, nylon utensils. There was alot of hype about this product and for once the hype is true. I cook alot and have invested in many high-end pans. HexClad is not cheap, but you get what you pay for. I have not owned this product long enough to judge it's durability (which I suspect is good), I will edit this review in 6 months in that regard.UPDATE- After a month of heavy use, the pans look new and remain easy to clean. As it turns out, like with any pan, if you don't burn food onto the pan, use oil or butter, you food will not stick, the pan will not stain and remain easy to clean. HexClad is a good, heavy duty pan for people who know how to cook. You can even sear meats on them with good results. Still, as these pans transmit heat quickly, controlling heat makes a big difference.