What is the difference between "Flatware" & "Silverware”?
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Historically, cutlery was made from silver for its shine and beauty but also its bacteria-fighting properties. Utensils made of silver were known as silverware, in modern times we refer to this material as sterling silver.
In the 1960s, Oneida revolutionized the industry when it first originated stainless-steel flatware. This created an affordable, high quality option allowing the global population access to the finest flatware. Although we now make use of the term stainless-steel instead, the name silverware stuck and is used interchangeably with flatware.
What is the difference between 18/10, 18/8, and 18/0 Stainless Steel?
The short answer is 18/10 & 18/8 are both ANSI 304 Stainless Steel, the same material. 18/10 & 18/8 are industry terms used to describe stainless steel ANSI 304 which includes nickel. 18/0 is made of ANSI 430 stainless steel and does not have significant nickel content. The addition of nickel to stainless steel results in a more "silver-like" finish and higher rust resistance in comparison to its 18/0 counterpart.
Features & Benefits
18/10
18/8
18/0
13/0
Benefits
Best Classification in Market for Stainless Steel
Best Classification in Market for Stainless Steel
Good/Better Classification in Market for Stainless Steel
Used for Knives Only
Benefits
Highest Protection Against Rust
Highest Protection Against Rust
Rust Resistant
Increased Hardness for Durability
Benefits
Superior Brightness
Superior Brightness
Benefits
Superior Color
Superior Color
There are three basic types of knife construction including: rolled, forged and hollow handle.
Rolled knives tend to be of lower quality. They are made from one piece of steel, usually 18-0, are fairly flat and normally thinner than other type knives. The advantage they have is that the 18-0 material is not forged and is less likely to rust. The disadvantage is that they tend to have a non-descript shape, are usually light weight and are normally a low quality in terms of manufacture and finish. Rolled knives are inexpensive to manufacture and are typically sold with low quality or budget flatware sets.
Forged knives are the most common knives found in today’s marketplace. They are almost always made from a relatively inexpensive, yet hardenable, grade of stainless steel, either 410 or 420 material. Forged knives range from good to super heavy in terms of weight. They generally have nicely tapered thin blades that allow them to cut food easily. These knives will appeal to those who like heavy / modern flatware. In terms of manufacturing, it is critical to make sure that the forge scale from the forming process is completely removed, that they are fully hardened and then polished to a total mirror finish. This is difficult to ascertain at the time of purchase. If the pattern you are looking at has lots of detail, make sure that the knife handles are fully polished in the grooves. Avoid any forged knives that have rough areas on the handle or blade as they are prone to rust problems.
Hollow Handle knives are manufactured in the tradition of historic sterling patterns, but today are made using stainless steel, which will not need polishing. Like forged knives, they are large in stature but due to their hollow handle construction, are not as heavy. The blades are typically forged using the same hardenable grade of stainless steel used in forged knives. This ensures that they will not deform or loose their edge over time. Handles are typically made with 18-10 stainless steel. The advantage here is that, even if there is intricate pattern detail in the handle, you will never have to worry about them rusting or pitting. The disadvantage of hollow handle knives is that, if not properly made, they can separate over time. Quality manufacturers will offer a minimum 20 year warranty, which should cover any concerns here.
Congratulations! You now probably know more about flatware than you ever wanted to know. The good news is that you will now be able to make an informed decision about a product that will, and should, last you a lifetime!
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