First we inherit our mother’s or grandmother’s Revere Ware copper bottomed cookware. And it is wonderful. Until we realize that the stoves we use are not capable of a true simmer flame like the Chambers or O’Keefe and Merritt gas stoves they used. So, just as we begin to discover French cooking, we begin burning sauces because the Revere Ware heats so easily and quickly. So, we struggle to afford that GORGEOUS Le Creuset porcelain coated cast iron cookware. We finally get it. And it is wonderful. Until we realize that caring for it really is a bit of a pain, and guess what, cast iron, regardless the color, is heavy. Very heavy. Extremely heavy. Not that it’s not a good workout, but it can slow you down in the kitchen while you cook. “Grab that pan and a spatula, and let’s eat!? Oh, wait, I can’t hold that pan over the plates with only one hand. Maybe I can . . .” Then. . . “I know, I know, it was your mother’s china and I just dropped a 15 pound, 12” fry pan on it, I know, I know. . .” So then you’re thinking, let’s try that Revere Ware again. Nope, still burning, ‘cause I still don’t have a decent stove. Why? There are no decent stoves until you get to the $7,000 dual fuel Wolf. So then your try out that new Le Creuset stainless steel, tri ply cookware. And it’s pretty good. Cooks well, not too heavy, but the pan lid handle gets REALLY hot, and the pan handles will burn the heck out of you, as well, so grab that pot holder. So, finally, you get a new stove (yes, miracles to happen), it's better, and an excuse to shop for better pans, the perfect pans. So, let the shopping and research and tactile testing begin! And it did. For just less than 13 months. I held All Clad, Viking, Le Creuset, Cuisinart— all of them. I held them, I hefted them with one hand and and with two hands. I mimed cooking with them, sliding them about the store shelves, my imaginary cooktop. I put smaller pans into the larger ones to check the weight, and (more importantly) how did that handle feel in my hands with the weight in the pan? Did it hurt my hand? Was it easy to hold and control? I read countless reviews, all the major sites, researched where they are made, how they are made. And I discovered, “Oh, wow, they are making FIVE-ply stainless steel pans. Gotta check that out.” Amazing! Except, that it isn’t. According to the engineers and scientists who examined and tested the theory and the thermodynamics, anything more than 3 layers is a waste of time and MONEY. The five ply is no better than the three ply, and way more expensive. Thank you, All Clad, for finding yet another way to monetize excess! And, the reason I’m writing this, is that I found that the Cuisinart French Classic tri ply stainless cookware hit all the marks, including PRICE. Did I mention that price was important? Well, maybe not price, but value for price certainly is important. I'm not rich, but I’m willing to pay a bit for the tool I need and want if the value is equal to that price. The high dollar cookware, that formula doesn't work. It’s impressive to have it sitting on your stove, your friends are impressed at how much you spent, and you’re part of the elite club that will spend 2-3 times more than you need to get the most “in” name brand. But is that the point? “Did you at least get a t-shirt with that? Oh, you didn’t, but you got a generous payment plan? Good, you’ll need it.” A pan is a tool. You use it to make something. It works for you or it doesn’t. You like its looks, or you don’t. But it shouldn’t be a status symbol. It’s a tool. This Cuisinart set is gorgeous. Classic French lines. The handles feel great. Finely wrought, well finished, and the indentation for your thumb is perfect. THAT’S how to hold a heavy pan. The grooved handles of All Clad and so many others (all copying All Clad) are just plain uncomfortable to most hands if the pan has any weight in it. The groove is there to solve their problems of heat reduction, not to feel good in your hand. Think about it— smooth rounded surface you control with a thumb indentation (Cuisinart) or two relatively narrow ridges of steel gouging into your hand (All Clad). I have cooked with at least one of these Cuisinart pans (usually 3 or 4 of them) every day since they arrived (almost 2 months ago), and not a problem or fault yet. Fry pan tipping? “Well, darling, are you gonna just scoot it round on the stove or actually put something in it? You know, to cook? ‘Cause if you do, it for sure won’t tip. See, the weight in the pan, the food, will keep it from tipping.” Mine won't tip even when empty unless I thump the end of the handle. And I'm too busy to spend much time thumping pans. Warping? Nope, not a bit of it. Pitting? Haven’t seen it. I have since bought three more pans to round out my 10 piece set. Couldn’t be happier. My beloved cast iron Le Creuset of 25 years? Holding down shelves in the basement. My stainless steel Le Creuset? Mixed in with the Cuisinart. But if there is a choice as I cook, I go for the Cuisinart every time. Weighs less than the Le Creuset stainless, handles stay cooler, and it cooks better. The French Classic pieces have been around a while, so prices fluctuate. Keep a watch on them, and you can make a good deal. Great pans, great price, great design, great aesthetics, great tools, great warranty— Cuisinart French Classic Tri-Ply Stainless cookware!