subject: What to look for in quality cutlery [print this page] What to look for in quality cutlery What to look for in quality cutlery
It's no secret that cutlery baffles many British people. From iconic movie and television scenes where working class characters struggle with the numerous types of knives and forks used by the upper classes to endless stories of dining etiquette faux-pas involving choosing the wrong eating implements, confusion about cutlery has embedded itself in our national consciousness. Thankfully, making sure you choose the right cutlery set is actually a relatively simple process if you are prepared to put in just a little research.
The first thing to decide is what type of material you want your cutlery to be made from. At present, there are three basic varieties you can buy, listed here in order of ascending cost: stainless steel, silver plate and sterling silver. Most cutlery, including almost all cheaper types, is made from 18/10 stainless steel. This is an alloy which contains 18% chrome and 10% nickel, with the remaining 72% made of iron. This material does not corrode in water, making it dishwasher safe and it can have a long lifespan. More expensive stainless steel cutlery variants tend to be better designed, stronger and contain more metal for added durability.
Silver plated cutlery is a popular choice for mid-to-high end cutlery, though it is significantly more expensive than stainless steel. Typically it consists of pieces made from stainless steel that are then coated in a thin layer of silver particles by industrial electrolysis. Silver is a relatively inert metal and does not corrode, making it ideal for cookware while its lustrous finish makes it highly decorative. Sterling silver cutlery is made of a solid silver alloy, containing 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. It is extremely expensive due to the quantities needed to make a full set of cutlery; unsurprisingly it is considered a luxury item and is often associated with royalty.
The next thing to consider is which design of cutlery to buy. This is one case where not only the look, but also the feel, of the cutlery should be taken into account; there's no point in buying something that looks nice but doesn't feel right in the hand. When choosing you should bear in mind that many contemporary designs may age rapidly, making them a poor long term investments. Some designs may also be discontinued by the manufacturer, making it difficult to find replacement or additional pieces in the future.
The final consideration is how much cutlery you need to buy, which can be determined both by how many guests you expect to entertain and how elaborate your eating arrangements usually are. If you regularly host dinner parties, you may wish to invest in at least two sets of knives and forks to avoid having to rewash cutlery between courses, while it might also be a good idea to get extra teaspoons as these are so easily lost. You can also choose whether or not to buy speciality items like soup spoons or fish knives that you may not use often.
Choosing the right cutlery can really add the perfect finishing touch to your dining table and impress guests at dinner parties. With just a little preparation and care, it's easy to find the right cutlery for every occasion.
