Okay, that sorta makes sense. . . but I have a problem when frying eggs and the surface is so rough the turner/flipper won't slide smoothly under the eggs. Likewise, pancakes come apart and leave parts behind when they're flipped.

Smooth doesn't mean polished. Even a machined surface will hold oil. The Lodge Dutch Oven I bought will be rough but it's not critical because that will be more of a stew/chili pot -- no fried eggs/pancakes.