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Flatware Buying Guide


Flatware is expected to last for years and, in some cases, lifetimes. If you are purchasing a casual set, it will probably be used for almost every meal at your home. If you are investing in an heirloom quality special occasion set, it should last for generations. This justifies putting a great deal of care and thought into your purchase. Good choices are available for a variety of tastes, needs and budgets.

The Quick Scoop

In choosing flatware, your key decisions will be style, material, and how much to purchase.

Style and design are personal preferences and choices are plentiful. When starting to shop, you may be drawn to sleek, contemporary looks or more ornate and traditional styles. The simpler the design, the more flexible it will be in matching your other tableware items.

Material is a key decision. Stainless steel flatware is a popular option. It is versatile, durable, dishwasher-safe, and affordable. There are different grades of stainless steel, with 18/10 and 18/8 as top of the line choices. Stainless steel is available in so many styles that you can easily create a look that is casual, formal, or somewhere in between.

Sterling silver flatware is known for heirloom quality beauty and is often passed from generation to generation. However, it requires much more care than stainless steel and is far more expensive. Silver-plated flatware is a good compromise for someone who wants the look of sterling without as large a financial investment. Silver flatware is generally used as a second set for special meals, with a stainless steel set used for daily dining.

Flatware is usually sold in sets of five pieces, which include: place knife, place fork, place spoon (tablespoon,) salad fork, and soup spoon (teaspoon.) There are also serving accessories to coordinate with these pieces. You should buy the same number of flatware settings as dinnerware settings. People often purchase twelve settings.

The Details

Design

Whether you are shopping for stainless steel, sterling silver or silver-plated flatware, designs and styles are everywhere. It is worth looking at different options to see what you find attractive and comfortable to use.

Coordinating your Table
It is generally recommended that your flatware and diningware complement each other. They can also coordinate with your glassware, place mats, tablecloths, candles, serving bowls, or any other accessories used at your table. Only you can decide what is appealing to your eye. You may like to mix ornate with contemporary for an eclectic, unpredictable style. If you like a more uniform look, stick with either simple or ornate for both your flatware and diningware. Because flatware is a significant investment, you may decide that you need a flexible design with staying power. If that is the case, choose a classic, understated style and save your creative flare for the pieces not used every day, such as serving bowls or serving utensils.

Function as well as Form
As important as the look of the flatware is, the craftsmanship involved in creating flatware generally includes a multi-step process of hand stamping or forging. The results of this attention to detail in manufacturing should be noticeable. Pieces should be well balanced and have a comfortable weight in your hand. All edges should be smooth. Knife blades should be sharp and fork tines should be even and well rounded. Notice the depth of the spoon heads. Beyond their look, try to get an idea of what it will be like to actually use the forks, knives and spoons.

Style Availability
Another consideration in choosing a style is availability. If you purchase a set now, you may want to add to it in the future, either with additional place sets or serving pieces. It is worth thinking about how long the design has and will be available. Alternatively, choose a style that could blend with a different design if necessary at a later time.

Materials

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is the most popular choice for flatware. In addition to being the most economical option, it won't rust or tarnish and is very durable. It is dishwasher-safe and requires little maintenance. High quality stainless steel flatware should last for years.

Stainless steel is an alloy, or combination, of metals, which includes steel, chromium and nickel. It comes in choices of 18/10, 18/8 and 18/0. In these designations, the first number refers to the percentage of chromium in the metal alloy. The second number refers to the amount of nickel. For example, 18/10 means that there is 18% chromium and 10% nickel in the steel alloy.

The best quality stainless steel is 18/10, followed closely by 18/8. Chromium provides strength, hardness, rust and stain resistance. Nickel adds luster, warmth and shine to the finish. You won't notice much difference between 18/10 and 18/8 and both are good choices for durable and attractive flatware. 18/0 flatware has 0% nickel and will not have the shine and warmth of the other options, though it is less expensive.

Since it is so popular, it is easy to find a design in stainless steel to suit your needs. A stainless steel set is perfect for general use and depending on your own preference, appropriate for formal occasions as well.

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver must be made of at least 92.5% pure silver to be considered authentic and earn the "sterling silver" stamp. Copper is added to the alloy to provide extra strength.

Sterling silver flatware is beautiful, durable and the heaviest choice for flatware. A set is usually treated as an heirloom to be passed on through generations as a family tradition. These sets are usually reserved for use as a second, special set.

However, when purchasing sterling silver, it is important to consider some drawbacks. Though it is resistant to staining and corrosion, it does tarnish and require polishing. It is not dishwasher-safe and requires careful maintenance. Probably most important to note is that it is vastly more expensive than stainless steel. Sterling silver flatware can cost many times as much as high quality stainless steel flatware. It truly must be considered an investment.

Cleaning and storage of sterling silver is important in maintaining its beauty. Cleaning should be done by hand in warm soapy water and utensils should be dried immediately with a soft cloth. High quality silver polish and a soft cloth should be used to remove tarnish. Keep in mind that intricate patterns are more difficult to polish.

Silver should always be stored dry. Sets often include a good storage box with spaces for each piece.

Silver-plated

Silver-plated flatware is composed of a metal alloy base that is electro-coated/plated with pure silver. The thickness of the silver coating determines the quality. Though pieces should last for years, the silver-plating will wear off over time. Like sterling silver, silver-plate requires polishing. This choice is a great option for someonewho likes the look and feel of sterling silver but wants to spend less.


How Much to Buy?

Place Settings
Flatware is generally sold in sets of five pieces, which usually include: place knife, place fork, place spoon (tablespoon,) salad fork, and soup spoon (teaspoon.) Some place sets are sold in sets of four and come without either a second fork or a second spoon. You can often purchase flatware in 20 piece sets that include four settings of five pieces each. It is recommended that you buy the same number of flatware as dinnerware sets. Twelve settings is a good choice.

Accessory Pieces
A coordinating hostess set, which commonly includes a large serving spoon and fork, is often available. Other additional items include: butter spreaders, salad serving sets (spoon and fork,) cake servers, sugar spoons, meat forks and gravy ladles. It is a good idea to buy at least a hostess set since it is very useful. Often other pieces are added over time.

Two Sets or One?
It is popular to purchase two sets of flatware: a stainless steel set for every day, and a sterling silver or silver-plated set for special occasions. However, many people buy one set to meet all of their needs. Since there are casual, formal,and versatile looks available in stainless steel sets, some skip the silver and save the money.

Also, keep in mind that mixing stainless steel and silver is an option. For instance, you could buy an attractive stainless steel set for versatile use, and purchase sterling silver accessory serving pieces to add some glamour to your table for special dining.

Setting a Table

The basic rule of setting a table is: knives and spoons to the right of the plate and forks to the left of the plate. Utensils should be placed in order of use, from outside in, so that the first fork used is farthest from the plate. The spoon is positioned to the right of the knife, which should have its blade pointed in towards the plate. A dessert fork or spoon should be placed above the plate or brought out with dessert. Only set the table with flatware that will be needed during the meal.

Price Ranges

In general, stainless steel is most affordable, while sterling silver is by far the most expensive option. Sterling silver can cost from five to more than 10 times as much as stainless steel. Silver-plated costs less than sterling silver but usually more than stainless steel.

Stainless Steel Flatware

Stainless steel is available in a broad range of prices, as demonstrated by the following examples. In general, a five piece place setting will cost from $15 to $100, with some options falling outside either end of this range.

Sterling Silver Flatware

Sterling silver is the most expensive option. A Reed and Barton four piece place setting costs about $220. A Vera Wang five piece place setting costs just under $600.

Silver-plated Flatware

Silver-plated flatware can cost about double the price of high end stainless steel sets, but is still far more affordable than genuine sterling silver.