Tirzah is looking for our recommendations on cutlery. The term “cutlery” usually refers to the knives, forks, and spoons we eat with (also called “flatware,” “tableware,” “utensils,” and even “silverware”) and not the knives used in preparing food.*

Flatware is a pretty personal choice and the variations in quality among the most popular, stainless steel, are not so vast. We recommend you start with your budget, then look at style, and consider your long term strategy. Is this your everyday ‘keeper’ set or a stand-by until you can purchase that silver plated monogrammed Vera Wang you love? Start paying attention to flatware when you eat out to figure out what you like. Then, and most importantly, hold the pretty flatware pieces you prefer. Which feels best in your hand? Ideally you’d want to try eating with some samples, but that’s unlikely while shopping.

Your flatware should feel and sturdy. Look for knives with a heavy and long handle, forks with a deep curve, and spoons with a deep bowl.

The Details
Materials
Note that just because an item is “stainless” does not mean it will not rust. If it’s an everyday set that you will place in a dishwasher, make sure your stainless includes chrome and also titaniam or nickel. The top quality stainless steel is labeled 18/10, containing 18% chrome and 10% nickel. Your lower grade flatware to avoid is “13/0 stainless steel,” containing no nickel. Unlike cooking knives, flatware does not have a high carbon level - that’s probably the main difference in the different types of ‘cutlery.’ Another distinguishing characteristic of flatware will be the handles, which can be made of plastic or a composite material. You should examine your handles and know that there’s less risk of chipping and loosening with solid steel handles.

Sets
Most flatware comes in sets of five pieces: a dinner fork, a salad or dessert fork, a tablespoon, a teaspoon and a rounded knife. A matching serving or hostess set with spoons, forks, butter knives, and serving utensils like cake servers and salad pieces are a great addition to your purchase if you want to match. Consider purchasing extra spoons since these are like socks and seem to disappear more quickly than other utensils.

The Brands
Sets typically costs at least $65 - $200 for an eight place setting plus a few serving pieces. Look for sales and a manufacturer’s warranty.

Almost all stainless steel flatware is made overseas and by machine. But consider supporting long standing American-based companies such as Lunt, Oneida, or Nambé brands. Another option is to upgrade your whole experience of selecting your cutlery while catering to your own changing styles over your lifetime by purchasing vintage silver, silver plated, or sterling silver sets. If price is not an option, then heck, we sure can recommend hand forged silver - check out the Society of American Silversmiths to start your own heirloom flatware collection. For a great listing of modern designs, check out this post on Apartment Therapy.

* For our knife buying tips, please see our podcast, How to Choose Your Knives, includes our recommendations on knives for cooking and may answer your question.

~ Chef Kevin and Jenn Beisser