Buying a cutlery set is a vital decision and can make or break a dining experience; with all the different styles, designs and terminology, it can feel somewhat overwhelming.
When choosing stainless steel flatware for your restaurant, home, or a gift, understanding what makes up the flatware, how it is made, and the pros and cons are essential.
Knowing the standard terms associated with cutlery varieties can make the whole process much easier, as well as guaranteeing you are happy with the collection and style you end up choosing, and we are here to help.
18/10 or 18/0
Flatware predominantly comes in 18/10, 18/8, 18/0 and 13/0 compositions, with 18/10 and 18/0 being the most common choices for restaurants and the home.
The numbers are used to describe the quality and grade of the stainless steel. The two main components being chromium and nickel, with 18/10 and 18/0 showing the percentage of the chrome and nickel that are present in the stainless steel that the silverware is made from:
- 18/10 is made up of 18% chromium and 10% nickel
- 18/0 is made up of 18% chromium and 0% nickel
Wondering which one is best for you? The main difference between them is the lustre and economic value. Chromium offers rush-resistant qualities and hardness, while nickel enhances corrosion resistance and provides a silver shine. The higher the nickel content results in a more rust-resistant, weightier and shiner product.
18/10 provides a brilliant lustre and a rust-resistant durable product which is easy to maintain. Whereas 18/0 offers an economical design with a short soft shine and zero nickel content; however, a zero nickel content means it can be prone to staining.
Stamped
A stamped piece of cutlery begins as a ribbon of steel, which is then punched, or cut out, into shape. It is then tempered, sharpened, and finished with the process generally being handled by machines. Whilst traditionally stamped cutlery was of lower quality and inexpensive compared to forged cutlery, it is an excellent choice if you need a large selection of cutlery for different uses at a low price.
Forged
Forging uses handcraftsmanship to produce a strong piece of cutlery and is one of the oldest construction methods. Forged cutlery begins as a solid bar, which is then heated up to a very high temperature and pounded into shape, sharpened, and finished.
Forging makes the cutlery much stronger than stamped and provides the choice of a round, oval and square cutlery design. Forging has limitations of pattern definition and often has a simple design; it also involves intensive labour and is therefore regarded as a premium range and is more expensive than stamped cutlery.
Buffing
Buffing is the finishing process of polishing the cutlery after it has been worked into shape, with the premium range of 18/10 cutlery sometimes receiving up to 27 levels of buffing. If you want customers to admire your silverware, maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and polished cutlery is crucial, and is guaranteed to positively contribute to your business image.
