Category: Cutlery and Steak Sets

Cutlery is one of two things we hold when we enjoy dinner. The other is glassware.

Good cutlery now a days costs a lot simply because of the materials they are made from, their design, stainless steel thickness and composition and how they are finished e.g. type of polish.
You also do not buy new cutlery each day so time should be taken when choosing the pattern you want to use and decorate your table. After all it is an extension of who you are when you sit down for dinner or decorate the table when guest come to enjoy your company.

What makes cutlery:

Steel:
The best cutlery is made from 18/10 stainless steel, what that means is that the stainless steel contains 18% chrome and 10% nickel so when polished correctly the is will achieve a beautiful seep shine and brilliance and keep this shine for a long time. It is also important to store your cutlery in the correct way so that the cutlery doesn’t scratch other pieces.

More common cutlery is made from 18/0 Stainless steel [No Nickel] and there for this cutlery has a lower price.
I may also just add the this type of stainless steel will rust near the coastal areas due to the lack of nickel.

Thickness [Gauge]:
Thicker cutlery has a better hand feel and it is also more comfortable in the hand. Yes thicker cutlery also weighs more and therefore the thicker the cutlery the higher the price will be.

Pattern:
Pattern is what attracts most people to the style of cutlery they buy. There are traditional styles, modern styles and the conventional ones we have seen before.
This is totally personal what you buy and it is an extension of the person you are.

Just a caution on the style/pattern you buy. Always consider that people of all ages will use the cutlery. Some very modern styles are very narrow. These narrow patterns are difficult to hold and use e.g. knife – it may rotate in your hand while you are trying to cut some food, thus making it very difficult for the guest to use or even for your to cut they juicy meat.

Finishing:
Finishing or polishing is how the steel is finished off.
Mirror polishing is a very time consuming process and thus cutlery with mirror polishing would cost considerably more
Basic Polishing takes less time and therefore cost less. The cutlery will have a shine but not mirror like.
Tumble Polish this is the most basic form of “polishing” and used on the basic least expensive cutlery.

© Innovation Foodservice Worx – Andries Scheepers  Foodservice Specialist