Picking out silverware

[temp256]

I never thought I would have trouble with something so mundane, but I do. I'm going to be moving out soon, so I need my own set of silverware. I looked at several different stores, but the first thing I noticed was everything is junk. Extremely thin, sharp edges, and bad alloys.

The alloys are the worst part. I want 18/10 stainless steel (18% chromium, 10% nickel), which is highly corrosion resistant and will last forever. But almost everything in the stores is 18/0, or they don't even say, which I take to mean 18/0 or even worse. 18/0 will rust over the first time it's washed, so there's no point in buying it at all.

I found the perfect set at one store: Oneida Icarus. The display models were nice and heavy, smooth edges, and prominently stamped with 18/10. Yet the actual box for sale was 18/0. It turns out it used to be the good stuff, but they recently switched over to the cheap junk, and tried to pass it off as the original.

What can I do? The manufacturers clearly are trying to trick me into buying cheap junk for the same price, and no one seems to care about quality anymore. I'd like to find it somewhere cheaper online, but no one ever lists the composition.

 

[SweetErika]

Costco has sold some good stuff at reasonable prices in the past, so you might look there (online and in the store) if you or someone you know has a membership. They can also answer questions if the specs aren't listed, and you can take it back for up to a year if you're not happy with how it holds up or whatever.

 

[TypicalDeviant]

Check crate and barrel. I found a wicked set of flatware there.

/if you can call flatware "wicked"

 

[thefishfryer]

Check crate and barrel. I found a wicked set of flatware there.

/if you can call flatware "wicked"

Call it anything you like it won't answer back.

 

[silverwhisper]

hi temp, congratulations on moving out! if your circumstances allow you to get quality on moving out, that's great! but yes, finding decent flatware is tough.

where i live, fortunoff (fortunoff.com) has always been my go-to store for this kind of expense. however, also consider a restaurant supply store in your area. just search "restaurant supply store" and your city/state.

ed

 

[pplwatching]

I want 18/10 stainless steel (18% chromium, 10% nickel), which is highly corrosion resistant and will last forever.

If you know how to identify what you are looking for (E.g. it's stamped), then you may find what you are looking for at estate sales or consignment stores. Many people buy nice flatware/silverware, set it aside for special occasions, and then never use it. It often turns up in the original boxes. The prices are often a great bargain.

 

[SweetErika]

It looks like Amazon has a pretty nice set (for 12) of 18/10 for $215.

I googled '18/10 flatware' and there are plenty of sets available, but the thrift/consignment store might be a good idea if you're on a tighter budget. I also like Ed's restaurant supply suggestion a lot.

I'm not sure what our flatware is made of, but I'm guessing it's not entirely 18/10 because at least part of the spoons (the part you eat from) is magnetic. It's fairly heavy, and it's held up just great since 2003.

 

[thefishfryer]

Just nick em from posh restaurants while the waiter is ogling your date.

 

[jayce1066]

There is one company still making flatware in American.
http://www.silversuperstore.com/revolution/pearls.html

Other stuff at:
http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/kitchen.html

 

[wahoo33]

Oh wow, something in the HT forum I can actually intelligently answer! (or at least provide my 2cents) I sold high end flatware, china, stemware etc.. for years.

Congratulations of moving out and props to you for caring about your flatware. There is no quicker way to wreck an otherwise nice meal than with tacky lightweight flatware.
18/10 isn't what is used to be. Most manufacturers have switched to 18/8. Don't let that throw you off. It just means that the content was formerly up to 10% and now it's at least 8%. That being said, I swear some overseas factories will stamp anything the buyer ask for.

18/10 and 18/8 are necessary for commercial operation. The chemicals they use in a commercial dishmachines are super caustic and will pit and rust even high quality flatware. It just takes longer to wreck the good stuff.

That being said, unless you are operating a Hobart in you kitchen, you "should" be ok with lower quality stuff. 18/8 or even 18/0 should hold up for years if you hand wash or use a milder dishwashing detergent.

Just pick out a pattern you like that has a nice weight and a nice hand feel. Buy the smallest amount of dinner forks they will sell you and then use those for a few weeks. You might be surprised how something you love in the store can be a real pain to handle while eating.

Taste is such an individual thing that I am reluctant to comment, but here's one more tip. If you are going to sink a lot of money into a set and plan on using that set for years and years lean towards a "classic" pattern. I have some cool/funky/trendy stuff that I love now, but I suspect it will just look tacky in five years.

And remember to have fun!

 

[soflabbwlvr]

I don't know where you live, but in South Florida there is a store called Arango that carries a nice selection of high quality flatware. If you are not local, google them and check out their website. Arango design.

 

[temp256]

I confronted the store about their misleading display, and they took it down. I searched half a dozen other stores at the mall, but it was always the same. Even the fancy department stores didn't have much 18/10.

But then, at a little outlet store, I found a nice GS brand set on clearance, which I bought. It's not quite as nice as what I originally wanted, but at least it's solid and won't rust over quite so easily.

Now all I need to do is pick out some dishes. I'm thinking white square plates and bowls (because everything looks fancier on a square plate), and lab beakers for glasses, which also double as measuring cups. I can hunt for good stainless steel pots and pans at thrift stores, and polish them clean. Same with serving tools. A full set of flatware and dishes are impossible to find at thrift stores.

Oh, and I should find a place to live too.

 

[wet_special]

Temp256 and all, thanks this was fascinating and informative. Looks like I'll be getting by on absolute junk, for now.. Maybe wait to inherit my mom's no-shit silverware. haha..

 

[SweetErika]

I confronted the store about their misleading display, and they took it down. I searched half a dozen other stores at the mall, but it was always the same. Even the fancy department stores didn't have much 18/10.

But then, at a little outlet store, I found a nice GS brand set on clearance, which I bought. It's not quite as nice as what I originally wanted, but at least it's solid and won't rust over quite so easily.

Now all I need to do is pick out some dishes. I'm thinking white square plates and bowls (because everything looks fancier on a square plate), and lab beakers for glasses, which also double as measuring cups. I can hunt for good stainless steel pots and pans at thrift stores, and polish them clean. Same with serving tools. A full set of flatware and dishes are impossible to find at thrift stores.

Oh, and I should find a place to live too.

I think you have the right idea with going fancy. You can always make things more casual, but it's hard to dress something that's really casual up. Which is why I wouldn't go with the lab beakers. Get yourself a set of measuring cups (heck, the ones from the dollar store should be fine, but Ross/discount dept. stores usually have some nice stainless ones), a big pyrex measuring cup (about $4, IIRC), and some glasses that can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. You're going to regret the set of beakers when you're trying to have a nice meal, party or date, if you go that route.

Oh, and pyrex-type bakeware is the easiest to clean.

 

[temp256]

I want lab beakers because I happen to be a major chemistry geek, and also because they're very durable and versatile. If friends/lovers find beakers off-putting, they would never get along with me anyway. I'm sick of downplaying my scientific aptitude trying not to alienate people, only to have them hate me anyway.

 

[SweetErika]

I want lab beakers because I happen to be a major chemistry geek, and also because they're very durable and versatile. If friends/lovers find beakers off-putting, they would never get along with me anyway. I'm sick of downplaying my scientific aptitude trying not to alienate people, only to have them hate me anyway.

That's kind of like me saying, "I love kids and being a parent is a huge part of who I am, so no one should have a problem with getting their drinks in baby bottles or sippy cups."

I guess I just don't feel your interests/passions/whatever need to permeate every aspect of your life, including your tableware.

But anyway, my whole point was that it's a great idea to have something you can dress up or down. We went that way with our wedding china (which we use everyday, as well as for special occasions) and other stuff, and we haven't regretted it at all. So you'd likely be wise to extend that idea to your other tableware, especially since space in first apartments/homes is often limited.

 

[temp256]

...Can I have the blue sippy cup?

I actually do consider lab beakers to be fancy. I simply have odd tastes.

I still don't know if I'll be able to get a dorm, or I'll have to hunt for an apartment. Roommates are going to be another hassle.