Types of Cutlery
The use of cutlery or some form of utensil used for eating can be traced back thousands and thousands of years. However it wasn't until the Tudor times when cutlery became an essential part of the dining table set up. At this point, banquet halls became the trend-setter of the tableware world and the use of silverware boomed. However, nowadays there are several different materials used to make cutlery and here are the most common.
Stainless steel – the majority of all cutlery we use today is made from stainless steel. This is made using a combination of steel, chrome and nickel, of varying amounts depending on the grade of the stainless steel. The finest stainless steel is 18/8 which translates as 18% chrome and 8% nickel. However, the majority of fine cutlery is made using an 18/10 combination. Stainless steel is very easy to shape and therefore the range of designs available in stainless steel is almost endless. Many people like to opt for classic designs such as Dubarry cutlery or Harley cutlery however there is also a whole range of modern designs available.
Silver plated – This is normally used to make cutlery for special occasions such as wedding cutlery of for use in fine dining establishments. Silver plated cutlery is made through electronically bonding the silver to a high quality base metal. Therefore it is slightly more expensive than stainless steel however, if well looked after, can last a lot longer.
Sterling silver – Sterling silver was incredibly popular in the 19th century when people used items such as tableware to express their wealth. This is because sterling silver cutlery is very expensive but much more elegant. Sterling silver is made using a minimum of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5%of another metal, which is most usually copper. Sterling silver is weighty and very expensive but will last a lifetime and always retain its beautiful shine. Most fine cutlery companies will also offer their stainless steel cutlery designs in sterling silver at a higher cost. For example, a classic design like rattail cutlery will inevitably be available in silver due to its popularity.
Plastic or rubber – Usually not suitable for the dinner table, however very popular among children and for use at events or even picnics. Rubber and plastic cutlery can come in a fantastic range of colours and designs and are exceptionally cheap to produce making them ideal for large-scale events such as a sporting event, where using expensive cutlery would not be an option. Rubber cutlery is especially good for small babies as they can safely be chewed and will not fragment and cause harm to the child.
Stainless steel – the majority of all cutlery we use today is made from stainless steel. This is made using a combination of steel, chrome and nickel, of varying amounts depending on the grade of the stainless steel. The finest stainless steel is 18/8 which translates as 18% chrome and 8% nickel. However, the majority of fine cutlery is made using an 18/10 combination. Stainless steel is very easy to shape and therefore the range of designs available in stainless steel is almost endless. Many people like to opt for classic designs such as Dubarry cutlery or Harley cutlery however there is also a whole range of modern designs available.
Silver plated – This is normally used to make cutlery for special occasions such as wedding cutlery of for use in fine dining establishments. Silver plated cutlery is made through electronically bonding the silver to a high quality base metal. Therefore it is slightly more expensive than stainless steel however, if well looked after, can last a lot longer.
Sterling silver – Sterling silver was incredibly popular in the 19th century when people used items such as tableware to express their wealth. This is because sterling silver cutlery is very expensive but much more elegant. Sterling silver is made using a minimum of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5%of another metal, which is most usually copper. Sterling silver is weighty and very expensive but will last a lifetime and always retain its beautiful shine. Most fine cutlery companies will also offer their stainless steel cutlery designs in sterling silver at a higher cost. For example, a classic design like rattail cutlery will inevitably be available in silver due to its popularity.
Plastic or rubber – Usually not suitable for the dinner table, however very popular among children and for use at events or even picnics. Rubber and plastic cutlery can come in a fantastic range of colours and designs and are exceptionally cheap to produce making them ideal for large-scale events such as a sporting event, where using expensive cutlery would not be an option. Rubber cutlery is especially good for small babies as they can safely be chewed and will not fragment and cause harm to the child.
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