Are you shopping for a unique silverware set for your home? Or perhaps you’ve got an upcoming wedding in your family and the couple has requested a new set of flatware. You may not need to know who the best flatware brands in the world are, but you are looking for the best silverware for your kitchen.
There are plenty of top flatware brands out there and it’s a crowded market, so finding the best flatware set for you or to give as a gift can be a bit daunting. Whether you are looking for something that will stand up to the rigors of daily use or you love to cook and entertain often, the best silverware brands will offer flatware sets that you can use almost every day of the year.
In this blog, we’ll mention some of the best flatware brands in the world today and dive into the factors to consider when shopping at any of these popular flatware brands. But, first, let’s look at the main types of flatware available today.
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Stainless steel flatware: When it comes to the best flatware brands in the world, most brands offer stainless steel flatware. The stainless steel used in making flatware is an alloy, a combination of steel and metals, with combinations that improve the appearance, quality, and durability of the stainless steel.
Stainless steel is a type of metal alloy, made of steel, chromium, and nickel. While we will delve into this composition in more detail later, it is worth noting that some of the best flatware brands in the world are made of stainless steel. This is because stainless steel is known for its durability, affordability, and ease of maintenance, making it an ideal choice for those in search of quality flatware.
Silver flatware: Silver, a precious metal known for its beauty and strength, also has antibacterial properties, making it a healthy choice for eating. Today, people eat in much more sanitary conditions, so that is not likely the main reason you would want to buy sterling silverware for your home.
Sterling silver is valuable as an antique and since silver flatware can be refined, it keeps its resale value and you can sell it at the current silver price.
Silver-plated flatware is more affordable but may need replacing due to tarnishing or wear and tear. Sterling silver flatware is heavier than silver-plated and has a substantial feel. What’s more, it is bright and shiny and a simple polish can restore its shine.
Jason Sardine Table Forks
Specialty flatware: This flatware is designed for special purposes, such as spreading, scooping, and eating certain foods. Some examples of specialty flatware include seafood or sardine forks, butter or cheese spreaders, sugar spoons, cheese knives, and pastry forks. Serveware items such as meat carving sets, hostess sets, or cake servers are considered specialty flatware.
For those who enjoy entertaining from home, many of the best flatware brands in the world will also produce specialty flatware in matching styles.
Luxury flatware brands
While most top flatware brands produce stainless steel flatware, some luxury silverware brands like Christofle offer stainless steel, silver-plated, and sterling silver flatware. Founded in 1830, this French flatware brand manufactures beautiful cutlery sets.
Pros:
Produced using quality materials
Most suitable for everyday use
Dishwasher-safe
Cons:
Cost for a single silver-plated fork: $130US
What we like: The “Mood” cutlery caught our attention. This silver-plated design comes in an egg-shaped copper-colored holder. We can’t resist the artistic look and warmth of copper on the table!
Popular flatware brands
In the US, the top flatware brands offer a wide range of flatware sets in different styles, so there are plenty of options!
Cambridge is a flatware-centric brand that is part of the Lenox family of brands. The brand offers flatware with serving utensils and stainless steel flatware in different finishes.
Pros:
8-piece flatware sets with serving pieces
Contemporary styles with universal appeal
Dishwasher-safe
Cons:
Descriptions say “imported” but don’t provide the source
18/0 stainless steel flatware sets (See FAQs for stainless steel composition meanings)
What we like: Many designs include polished utensils with handles in a contrasting finish. The polished implements give the flatware a luxe, clean look.
Forged Petra by Mikasa
Mikasa is a US-based brand in competition to be one of the top silverware brands in the world. George Aratani, a Japanese entrepreneur, founded the company in 1948. Initially, it supplied dinnerware to retailers such as Bloomingdale’s and Macy's. Since the 1970s, Mikasa has diversified its product line to include flatware and other table décor.
We looked at Forged Petra, which is a Mikasa-exclusive flatware design.
Pros:
20-piece flatware sets available
Modern designs
Affordability
Cons:
Crafted of 18/0 stainless steel
What we like: The unique curved handle of the knife in this ultra-modern set adds some artistic flair.
The INOX Artisans Brand
Founded in 2017, our artisan-crafted flatware brand is a relative newcomer to the flatware world. We partner with skilled metalwork artisans in Moradabad, the city of artisanship to bring our US customers heirloom-quality pieces that blend artistry with durability.
We may not yet be one of the best flatware brands in the world, but we consider ourselves an impact brand. Our US-based warehouse ships to customers all over the world, and we take pride in the exceptional craftsmanship of our artisans. We also support artisanal communities in India.
Our flatware designs share many pros and cons of the best silverware brands.
Pros:
Crafted from quality 18/8 stainless steel
Contemporary styles with universal appeal
Many styles are suitable for everyday use
Affordable prices
Dishwasher-safe
Cons:
Unlike manufactured flatware, artisan-crafted flatware is produced in small batches. We make every attempt to keep our stock availability high, there may be waiting times for some flatware patterns.
If you prefer the uniformity of manufactured flatware sets, we’re not the best flatware brand for you! All of our flatware sets are hand-forged and hand-polished, which means every piece is a one-of-a-kind creation.
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Choosing flatware is a very personal decision, with so much to consider. We hope this brief look at some of the world's best flatware brands will help you know what to look for when shopping for a new flatware set. If you're looking for a unique and beautiful set, you might want to consider the handcrafted silverware from INOX Artisans.
FAQs
What are the different grades of stainless steel?
Stainless steel is an alloy, which means it is composed of different metals that combine with steel to improve its appearance and durability. In the case of the stainless steel used in flatware, chromium creates an alloy with good rust resistance, while nickel provides a silver-like shine along with some additional rust resistance.
When purchasing flatware, you may notice different grades such as 18/0, 18/8, or 18/10 stainless steel. 18/10 stainless steel contains 18% chromium and 10% nickel and is considered the highest quality.
The most frequently used grade of stainless steel is 18/8, which is composed of 18% chromium and 8% nickel. Our skilled artisans use this stainless steel grade to craft our handcrafted flatware sets. This combination is the easiest to hand forge, while also providing excellent rust resistance and a shiny finish.
Which flatware sets don’t rust?
Stainless steel is our top material choice because it doesn’t rust easily. But, while the name implies “stainless”, the alloys used make it stain “resistant”, not stainless. Having said that, high-quality stainless steel is rust-resistant and will last a long time if properly cared for.
How can I prevent my artisan-made flatware from rusting?
To prevent rust, don’t leave your silverware exposed to acidic foods, such as leaving a spoon in a bowl of stewed tomatoes.
Always dry your flatware completely before storing it.
How can I stop my stainless steel flatware from rusting in the dishwasher?
Never pre-soak your flatware in soapy water or bleach.
Don’t overfill your cutlery basket. Stainless steel flatware with copper-plated or gold-plated handles should never touch, as this contact creates a chemical reaction with the hot water and detergent causing discoloration.
If your dishwasher hasn’t dried properly, remove the wet cutlery as soon as possible to dry it.
Not a full load? Dirty flatware left in the dishwasher for days before washing will eventually stain.
Remove acidic and salty food remnants from your flatware before loading them into the dishwasher. If you’re going to run the dishwasher right away, you can pre-rinse them.
Avoid using harsh or lemon detergents as the high alkalinity can cause pitting in stainless steel.
Don’t use abrasive cleaning aids or any metal scourers as they will strip more of the chromium from the flatware.
How to remove rust spots or stains from stainless steel silverware?
Watermarks are fairly easy to remove using baking soda and water paste. Use a soft cloth or sponge to gently scrub away the stains. Rinse with more water and dry thoroughly.
To remove rust stains, use a commercial rust remover like “Bar Keepers Friend”.
