A table’s flatware is often the final piece that brings the whole puzzle together. Gorgeous flatware can help enhance the look and feel of your set-up, and it also makes it possible to enjoy serving and eating food with ease.
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But finding flatware that works for you and fits in your budget isn’t as straightforward as it may seem. There are lots of things to consider to ensure you make a purchase that you’re not just happy with, but excited about.
Flatware is an all-encompassing term used to describe the objects we use to eat (or eat off or out of). It includes things like forks, spoons, and other serving items.
In most situations, the utensils we use to prepare, serve, and eat food are what we’re thinking of when we discuss flatware. However, it’s sometimes used interchangeably with other terms like silverware and cutlery to mean the same thing.
Just because these words tend to be used like they are the same thing doesn’t mean they actually are, though.
Silverware can be a type of flatware, but not all flatware is silverware.
Silverware is anything made almost entirely or completely from silver. A lot of times, the term is used as a synonym for utensils or cutlery, but technically this usage is incorrect.
To be classified as silverware, an object can’t just contain silver, it must be predominantly composed of it. That means that over 90% of the object’s makeup will be pure silver.
Some flatware out there may be made with silver, which would mean that it is, indeed, silverware.
But if you’re looking to buy products, it’s crucial that you understand the difference between the two; wasting time and money on something that doesn’t fit your expectations is never ideal.
To add another layer to the mix of confusing terminology, it also helps to be aware of what we mean when we talk about cutlery.
In the modern world, cutlery is most often used as a fancy synonym for words like flatware or utensils. But, traditionally, the word has a meaning of its own.
Objects that cut things, like butter knives, steak knives, etc., are considered cutlery. As mentioned, it’s more common than not to see cutlery mixed in with other types of tableware and marketed as such.
Still, as is the case in the flatware vs silverware discussion, being aware of these distinctions makes it much easier to have an accurate understanding of what the products you’re considering do and don’t offer.
If cutlery is an essential part of your plan, for instance, it’s key to realize that not all flatware sets may feature cutlery. Extra shopping and planning might be necessary.
Flatware can be made out of just about anything. Most of it, though, is made out of some sort of metal (like nickel) or stainless steel.
Flatware may also be coated with other metals or materials to give them a more unique and polished look or keep them intact for longer.
Stainless steel is the best option and the highest quality, as it's more durable, especially if it has a coating to prevent scratches and promote longevity.
Our flatware here at Urquid is made from excellent quality stainless steel and it is coated with a titanium plating so you can use over and over, setting apart our flatware from the rest.
If you’re looking to buy flatware in bulk, you’ll want to be sure that what you’re purchasing is good quality, fits your needs, and doesn’t break the bank.
But how can you go about doing those things, and what sort of things should you consider when making a decision? Let’s break it down.
Before you can make any sort of choices about style, quantity, materials, and other details, you’ll want to have a good idea of what your budget is. The amount you’re able to spend will likely impact all of the other factors you’re thinking about.
Not all flatware is made equal in terms of quality, but also in terms of practicality. Think about the details of the event or service you’re looking to plan: what sort of limitations or needs might impact your flatware?
For example, something high end and luxurious, like silverware, might be best for a formal event like a wedding reception. In other cases, though, a flatware set that’s less valuable and more replaceable may be ideal.
The look of your flatware matters just as much as how it performs, at least if you’re concerned about creating a cohesive and professional-looking table setting.
As a result, it’s important to find a style of flatware that matches your goals and needs.
There are thousands of product options on the market, many of which won’t feel like a good fit for your vision. What may be more helpful than searching aimlessly is developing an idea of what you’re looking for and going from there.
How formal should the flatware be? How much work and effort are you able to dedicate to maintaining and cleaning the tableware? Is there a color or design scheme you’re incorporating elsewhere into your planning? Do you need access to just utensils and cutlery, or are you also interested in things like hostess sets and serving sets?
These questions and more can help you narrow down your search to just the products that truly interest you.
When in doubt, it never hurts to turn to elegant-looking, high-quality stainless flatware sets, including the many options we offer here at Urquid Linen.
One of our favorite picks is the Luna Klasik Flatware/Cutlery Set in Gold, which is made from durable, corrosion-resistant stainless steel and coated with a titanium finish.
Luna Klasik Flatware/Cutlery Set in Gold
This flatware features a beautiful matte dull shine that catches eyes and brings a new, unique element to table décor.
It’s also incredibly easy to care for and simple to order in the quantity you need. Not a fan of the gold color? No problem – this set comes in a variety of colors, including silver, rose gold, and more.
Even if black flatware is your thing, this set has you covered.
Buying your flatware in bulk is one of the best and easiest ways to get the product you need at a price you can afford and at a quantity that makes sense.
Whether you need flatware for restaurants, bulk flatware for weddings, parties, or something else entirely, purchasing wholesale can save you a lot of time (and money). Our products here at Urquid Linen are made to order, giving you a unique level of control over your order that is hard to find elsewhere.
Our collection of flatware arrangements covers different styles and needs so that just about anyone can find something that works. We’re committed to providing only the best quality products, but if you’re less than satisfied with your purchase, our customer service team is able and eager to work with you to make things right.
When you purchase with Urquid, you get peace of mind and confidence along with your product so that you can refocus your energy to what really matters: taking care of your plans and getting things done.
Below are some commonly asked questions related to flatware that often lead to confusion. Be sure to check out our blog for more information about all things related to linens!
A five piece flatware set usually contains two forks, two spoons, and a knife. Both the forks and spoons tend to come with a traditionally-sized option and a “dessert” or “salad” option, which is smaller.
Look out for various flatware descriptions and the details they contain, as they should note what is and isn’t included in a given set.
Most of the time, a full set of flatware encompasses everything you need to set your table, serve food, and eat. This can include utensils, cutlery, and accessories like serving tools.
Restaurants may use flatware that’s made of a metal or stainless steel the most because these options are more affordable and easier to work with. However, it’s also possible to see restaurants branch out from this and use things like silverware.
Wholesale flatware for restaurants tends to be made of materials that are easier to access, though. They may even be made from things like acrylic or plastic.
Purchasing flatware is trickier than you may think. It’s a big purchase. You aren’t buying something that’ll get replaced every year or so. Buy some flatware, and you’re in it for the long haul. Studies have shown most people buy new flatware every decade or so. If you don’t choose the right flatware, you’ll be stuck with something you loathe for a while, or at the very least, you’ll be making another big purchase in the not-so-distant future. We’ll help.
There are three major considerations when buying flatware. The first is the design, you’ll need something that appeals to you. Secondly, you’ll consider the metal, e.g. stainless steel, silverware, etc. Finally, you’ll want to think about the production method of the flatware. For example, is it forged, or stamped?
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In this guide, we’ll teach you how to buy the best flatware in . You’ll learn about the different metal types. You’ll discover what weird numbers like 18/10 and 18/10 mean. We’ll even let you know the best grades to buy if you’re buying flatware with the plan of it lasting decades. There’s a lot to cover, and we can’t wait to share it with you!
As we said, there are three main things that you’ll think about when buying flatware – the design, the metal, and the manufacturing process. You’ll also need to think about how much flatware you need to buy (and it may be more than you initially think).
The goal of this section is to walk you through the purchasing process. We’ll tell you all the considerations when buying new flatware. We know that choosing the right flatware for your home can be a very personal process, but we hope that our knowledge will put you on the path toward making the right choices.
Your Budget
Flatware varies drastically in price. You can pick up a set for $10 right now (please don’t, it would be hideous), or you could pick up a set for thousands of dollars (probably overkill for most people). The huge variation in price means that you should have some sort of budget in mind when buying your flatware.
We recommend spending a minimum of $100-$150 on your flatware. We know that this can sound like a lot for some people but remember that you’ll be using this flatware for several years, so it’s worth getting something decent. If you can spend even more than this, then fantastic! You’ll end up with better quality flatware that looks stunning. Although, $100-$150 is fine for most people. You may need to double this price if you’re buying 10-12 sets of flatware at a time.
How Much Flatware Do You Really Need?
We hate to get all cliché here – but how long is a piece of string? There’s no one right answer to this question! While some people may get away with just 4-5 sets of flatware (knife, fork, spoon), others may need much more.
We recommend that you buy as many as you can afford, and there are two reasons for this:
In our opinion, you should aim to have 6-12 complete sets, plus any extras (e.g. cake slicers, pronged spoons, etc.) you think you may need. This should be enough to cover you for a few years, and if you ever feel like entertaining, it ensures that people won’t have mismatched flatware.
The Design
The design isn’t something that we can help you with. The design of your flatware is a personal choice, but we do have a couple of tips for you here:
Yes. We are steering you toward flatware that has a more basic design here because we believe that you’ll get far better value for your money. It is something that you are less likely to be disappointed with in the future due to changing design tastes. Of course, you’re free to avoid this advice. Opt for any design that you want. It is a personal choice. We won’t complain, and we’re sure that any choice you make will be a wonderful one!
The Choice of Metal
Yes. We know that flatware is available in materials other than metal. Right now, you can buy flatware made from wood, resin, or plastic. We wouldn’t recommend either of these materials if you are buying flatware for the long haul. They don’t stand up to the rigors of regular use all that well. Instead, you want some metal flatware. Specifically, you want something that falls into one of these two groups:
Most people will gravitate toward stainless steel flatware. It is cheaper and looks tremendous. It is also a lot easier to keep clean than silver flatware, which requires regular polishing to look pristine. Stainless steel flatware is available in a variety of different grades. We’ll discuss those shortly because when you go for stainless steel flatware, the grade is incredibly important!
If you want the fanciest of fancy flatware, then silver is the way to go. Sterling silver flatware is solid silver (with a dash of copper) and is the most expensive type of flatware you can buy. Plated silver flatware is a lot cheaper and involves a piece of metal (the metal varies) coated with silver. It looks as good as solid silver flatware but isn’t as brilliant for the long-term (sterling silver will hold its value due to the high silver content).
You should be fine with stainless steel flatware. While we can see the merits of having silver flatware, it isn’t really something most people need for daily use. It is fancy flatware that you pull out for guests. It looks good, but we feel there are often better ways to spend your money.
Manufacturing Process
Flatware is made in two different ways. Well, technically, dozens of different ways, but the methods are broken down into two broad categories:
Stamped flatware is the cheapest flatware you can buy. Stamped flatware is produced from a ribbon of metal that has had a rather large metal stamp come crashing down onto it, stamping out the shape of flatware. This flatware is very lightweight, and it isn’t all that durable as most stamped flatware has been made from a very thin ribbon of metal. Still, if you are on a budget, it may be the way to go.
Forged flatware is made from a metal rod. The metal rod is heated up and then beaten with a hammer to forge the shape of the flatware. Some forged flatware is handmade, but most on the market will have been produced by a machine. Forged flatware is heavier, and it feels so much better in the hand. It is a lot more durable than stamped flatware, particularly with knives. The downside is the extra cost. Still, you’re buying something that you’ll be using for a long time here. It may be worth the extra money.
In our opinion, go for forged flatware, if you can afford it. It’s worth the money. That’s not to say there aren’t decent pieces of stamped flatware out there, but most stamped flatware has been made to a budget. This can make the good stuff tricky to track down.
Chances are, you’ll want stainless steel flatware. However, you shouldn’t just pick up any old stainless-steel flatware. You need to pay attention to the quality of the metal. Contrary to popular belief, stainless steel does rust. It isn’t rust-proof. It also isn’t naturally durable. So, you’ll need to buy quality stainless steel flatware if you want to keep the rust at bay, as well as ensure that your stainless-steel flatware doesn’t suffer from pitting of the metal, bending, etc.
Thankfully, stainless steel flatware manufacturers make it incredibly easy to tell the quality of a piece of stainless steel, and this is all thanks to two numbers that will be stamped on the metal (normally 18/0. 18/10, or 18/8). These numbers tell us two things:
With 18/10 stainless steel, there’ll also be a hint of molybdenum (2%).
Here’s how the stainless steel grades rank:
If possible (i.e., if your budget allows), pick up 18/10 stainless steel flatware. It will last decades. If you can’t afford that, then 18/8 can make a cheaper alternative. Only go for 18/0 flatware if you have a very limited budget.
The best grade of stainless steel for flatware is 18/10. It is the most durable (resistant to pitting, scratches, and dents), and is anti-corrosive. It is the most expensive grade of stainless steel, but buy well, and you’ll have something that lasts you for decades.
18/10 is the best stainless steel money can buy. It has 16% chromium, 2% molybdenum, and 10% nickel. It is anti-corrosive, durable, and polishes up very well.
18/0, on the other hand, is just 18% chromium. There is no nickel, and there is no molybdenum. It is easy to manufacture, and the cheapest stainless steel flatware on the market will be 18/0. It is nowhere near as durable as 18/10 flatware, and you may get a few years out of it, at the most. Due to the low durability and the higher chance of rusting, we suggest you only opt for 18/0 flatware if your budget doesn’t allow for anything more expensive.
The only area where 18/0 flatware does win out for some people is the color. Because of the low nickel content, it doesn’t ‘shine’ as much as higher grades of stainless steel. So, if you want a matte look to your flatware (and don’t mind the lower durability), then 18/0 may be the route to go down.
18/10 stainless steel is the best grade of silverware to buy. It is expensive, but it is something that will last you a long time. 18/10 stainless steel is durable enough to put up with daily use, but sturdy and shiny enough to work for entertaining too.
If you want actual silverware (i.e. flatware made from silver), then sterling silver is the route to go down. It is expensive, but it is almost pure silver and looks superb.
18/10 stainless steel is the highest-grade stainless steel silverware you can buy.
Sterling silver is the highest-grade silver silverware you can buy.
Final Thoughts
As you can see – choosing the best flatware in can be tough, but not impossible. For now, just focus on buying the best quality stainless steel flatware that you can afford, whether it be 18/0, 18/8, or 18/10 (preferably the latter), after that, choose your design and you are pretty much there. Just make sure that you spend a bit of time choosing your flatware because, if you choose well, you’ll find something that’ll last you for years.
FAQs
Is 18/0 or 18/10 Better Flatware?
18/10 flatware is considerably better than 18/0 flatware. The higher nickel content ensures increased durability and more anti-corrosion properties. 18/0 is cheaper, but won’t last anywhere near as long.
Is 18/8 or 18/10 Better?
18/10 flatware is better than 18/8 flatware. However, there will be a huge difference in price between the two. Opt for 18/10 flatware if you want the best of the best, but most people will be fine with 18/8 flatware.
Is 18/10 Stainless Steel a Good Quality?
18/10 stainless steel is the highest-grade stainless steel. If you want the best stainless steel flatware out there, always buy 18/10.
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