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The Best Flatware and Silverware Sets of 2024, Tested ...

Author: Helen

Oct. 28, 2024

The Best Flatware and Silverware Sets of , Tested ...

To help you pick the best flatware and silverware sets for your home, we tried out some highly rated options and evaluated each on design, durability, grip, material, weight, and overall value. We spooned, forked, and knifed everything from chicken breast and soup to salad and whole grains to make sure these sets are truly worthy of a spot in your kitchen drawer.

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Choosing a flatware or silverware set can be tricky. On top of deciding between the variety of flatware designs and types of steel on the market, you're also tasked with figuring out aesthetics, budget, and the number of place settings you will need. You may be in search of a durable collection for everyday use or a high-end set for special occasions. There's also the matter of settling on a modern feel or more of a classic, vintage look. Either way, the right utensils offer an opportunity to ornament your table setting and show off your unique style.

Best Overall

Lenox Portola 65-Piece Flatware Set

PHOTO: Amazon

$210

$113 at Amazon

$113 at Wayfair

$285 at Home Depot

What We Like

  • Sleek and sophisticated design

  • Service for 12, plus hostess set

  • Appropriate for casual and formal dining

What We Don't Like

  • Some pieces aren't the best size

Earning our best overall spot, the Lenox flatware set features quality construction, a contemporary design, and a reasonable price point. It is made of 18/10 stainless steel, which means it has an 18 percent chrome content and a 10 percent nickel content. Nickel is what keeps stainless steel shiny meal after meal and dishwasher run after dishwasher run. (Yep, this set is dishwasher safe.) In fact, in terms of longevity, we think this set could easily be passed down to the grandchildren. It is also available in gold and black.

The set comes with enough five-piece settings for 12 people, plus five serving utensils. The pieces are ergonomically designed to be comfortable to hold while eating, and the beaded channel design at the base is subtle. We love the flatware's high-quality feel and minimalist but beautiful detailing. A rather versatile, modern design for the 130-year-old Lenox company, this set adds an upscale touch to your table&#;no matter if used during a casual pancake breakfast or formal dinner party.

We noticed while testing this set that the dinner fork is a bit big and could give small hands trouble, and the soup spoon is a bit smaller and more shallow than we'd like. As with all stainless steel tableware, be sure to wash this flatware immediately after use to protect it from corrosion. Likewise, dry each piece right after washing, avoid citrus detergents, and don't soak the utensils for too long. If you do notice any corrosion or flaws in general, however, Lenox offers a Breakage Replacement Program that refunds or replaces products within 120 days after purchase.

Materials:
18/10 stainless steel | Handle Shape: Flare | What's Included: (12) 5-piece settings with a salad fork, dinner fork, knife, table spoon, and tea spoon; (1) serving spoon, (1) serving fork, (1) pierced serving spoon, (1) butter knife, and (1) sugar spoon

Best Budget

LIANYU 20-Piece Silverware Flatware Cutlery Set

PHOTO: Amazon

$20

$16 at Amazon

$36 at Walmart

What We Like

  • Easy to clean

  • Simple design

  • Easy to store

What We Don't Like

  • Mirror finish can show fingerprints

You can't go wrong with this affordable set, especially if you're just starting out or want extra flatware for an upcoming dinner. You'll get enough pieces for four people to each have a salad fork, a dinner fork, a soup spoon, a tea spoon, and a dinner knife. Also, the set comes in five different colors, in case you're looking for something with a little more personality than basic stainless steel.

While these stainless steel utensils are lightweight&#;which can give the set a less-expensive feel depending on your preference&#;we found that the pieces are durable for the price and hold up well after multiple rounds in the dishwasher. The set is also super compact and doesn't take up a lot of space in the kitchen drawer, or it can be placed in a glass on the counter.

No dishwasher? The simple design makes these easy and quick to hand wash, but we did notice that fingerprints stand out a bit. Also, be careful when wiping, as this knife is sharper than one might expect from a butter knife. We also found that the serrated edges on the knives work well for cutting items like ham, turkey, and vegetables.

Materials: Stainless steel | Handle Shape: Round | What's Included: (4) 5-piece settings with a salad fork, dinner fork, knife, soup spoon, and a tea spoon

Best Gold

Gourmet Settings Birch 20-Piece Stainless Steel Flatware Set

PHOTO: Wayfair

$96 at Wayfair

What We Like

  • Contemporary black and gold finish options

  • Playful mashup of styles

  • Stamped unibody construction

What We Don't Like

  • Hand wash strongly recommended

This place setting combines contemporary finishes with a classic silhouette&#;a versatile mix of new and old. Available in both a matte black or antique gold finish, these attractive pieces will look at home alongside sleek modern dinnerware as well as more traditional table settings.

Each set comes with 20 pieces for a four-person service, including dinner and salad forks, table spoons, tea spoons, and a dinner knife. These are quite substantial in weight and feel balanced and comfortable to hold, though the knife edge is smooth and therefore we found not quite sharp enough to cut through less tender meats. As for the fork, the tines are fairly thick, but still spear well without feeling awkward. The spoons feel nice in the hand and are perfect for soup and sauces.

Made of 18/10 stainless steel, this unique gold flatware set carries a 25-year limited warranty provided by the manufacturer. We did find that the gold finish showed some signs of wear after a run through the dishwasher, so hand-washing (and drying right away to avoid spotting) will be the best way to preserve the finish on these pieces.

Materials: 18/10 stainless steel, gold finish | Handle Shape: Oval | What's Included: (4) 5-piece settings with a salad fork, dinner fork, knife, table spoon, and tea spoon

The Spruce Eats / Vicky Wasik

Best Modern

Knork Stainless Steel 20-Piece Flatware Set

PHOTO: Amazon

$130

$49 at Amazon

$82 at Wayfair

What We Like

  • High-end artisan appearance

  • Ergonomically designed

  • Beveled fork edge makes one-hand cutting easy

What We Don't Like

  • Only serves four

Knork flatware's lauded design was the invention of the brand&#;s founder Michael D. Miller who, while struggling to eat a slice of pizza with a fork, was inspired to create a fork that&#;s more like a pizza slicer. He went on to design the Knork&#;s signature fork (part knife-part fork) with beveled outer tines that can be used to eat left- or right-handed and are sharp enough to cut many foods.

This dishwasher-safe set comes with enough utensils to set a full five-piece serving for four people (though we do wish it included more). We love that each utensil is ergonomically designed with noticeably balanced weight. Plus, the utensils feature a wide, flat finger platform for comfort and are designed to fit the contours of your hand. Each piece is hand-forged according to a 26-step process and is made of 18/10 stainless steel. We also love how the branding blends seamlessly into the flatware&#;s design, so you won't find any bold brand etchings on your knife handles.

Materials: 18/10 stainless steel | Handle Shape: Round | What's Included: (4) 5-piece settings with a salad fork, dinner fork, knife, table spoon, and tea spoon

Best for Parties

Zwilling J.A. Henckels Opus 45-Piece Flatware Set

PHOTO: Zwilling

$200

$120 at Walmart

$200

$60 at Target

$120 at Wayfair

What We Like

  • Balanced

  • Holds up to washing

  • Great value

What We Don't Like

  • Handles may be too narrow for some

Zwilling J.A. Henckels is known for its premium forged knives made in Germany for nearly three centuries, so it's safe to say they know their way around cutlery. The company's Opus flatware collection combines elegance and convenience with 18/10 stainless steel construction and a reasonable price. This set includes eight 5-piece settings as well as five serving utensils for a total of 45 pieces, everything you need for a big dinner party. Once the meal is over, simply run the flatware through the dishwasher and get back to enjoying your guests.

Although the knife blade is shorter than others, it worked well during testing. Still, the knives were noticeably heavier than the other pieces in the set. The spoons were also on the smaller side but still held a satisfying amount of soup. Likewise, the salad fork's light handle and shorter tines weren't ideal for salad, though the dinner fork's wide design and larger tines more than made up for it.

Along with the balanced weight and value, long-term users praise this set for handling multiple runs through the dishwasher without any corrosion or damage. Overall, this is a simple and functional set that offers great value.

Materials: 18/10 stainless steel | Handle Shape: Rectangular | What's Included: (8) 5-piece settings with knife, dinner fork, salad fork, soup spoon, and tea spoon; (1) slotted serving spoon, (1) serving spoon, (1) serving fork, (1) sugar spoon, and (1) butter knife

The Spruce Eats / Joy Kim

Best Color Options

Jean Dubost Laguiole Flatware Set

PHOTO: Amazon

$258 at Amazon

$100 at Williams Sonoma

What We Like

  • Super sharp

  • Lightweight

  • Range of colors to choose from

  • Attractive design

What We Don't Like

  • Hand-washing recommended

The Dubost family has spent generations perfecting the art of cutlery, famously adapting their craft in response to consumer demand while maintaining the integrity of traditional French workmanship. This set features the distinguished bee emblem that sets Laguiole cutlery apart and acrylic handles available in a wide range of colors to match any aesthetic.

There's a total of 24 pieces included, enough for six place settings with a knife, fork, soup spoon, and tea spoon, along with a wooden tray to store everything in. The handle colors range from vibrant blue and classic silver to pale pink and even multicolor, all with rust-resistant (and dishwasher-safe) stainless steel.

Durability is always something to look out for with acrylic handles, so we made sure to keep that in mind during testing. We found that the overall look is the best feature of this set, particularly the classic two-toned design. While it didn't show wear after one round in the dishwasher, we suggest washing these by hand to keep them in good condition.

Materials: Stainless steel, acrylic | Handle Shape: Round | What's Included: (6) 4-piece settings with knife, fork, soup spoon, and tea spoon

The Spruce Eats / Joy Kim

Are you interested in learning more about Picnic Stainless Steel Cutlery? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Best Splurge

Made In Flatware 4 Place Settings Set

PHOTO: Amazon

$199 at Amazon

$199 at Walmart

View on Madeincookware.com

What We Like

  • Resistant to stains

  • Crafted by skilled artisans in Italy

  • Made of 18/10 stainless steel

  • Dishwasher safe

What We Don't Like

  • Set of four

Want to dine like Italian nobility? Made In's line of stainless steel flatware is produced by a partnership of artisans with almost two centuries of experience and a history of crafting silverware for Italy's noble families. Each utensil is made using a single piece of stainless steel with a polished finish that's durable and resistant to corrosion. This flatware set is made with usability in mind; forks and spoons are crafted from 18/10 stainless steel to protect the pieces even further from corrosion and rust, while the knives are made of 18/0 stainless steel to increase the blade strength.

We love the balance and weight of this flatware, noting that during testing the contour of each fork, knife, and spoon is comfortable in the hand while adding a touch of elegance. While slicing into chicken breast, the knives were sharp enough to easily cut through the meat without being too sharp to the touch. The spoons had a good weight with chic, thin handles, and the dinner forks featured soft round tines with smooth edges that gave them a high-quality feel. We also appreciated the proportions of the lightweight salad forks, which had luxurious, rounded edges. The flatware was easy to clean in the dishwasher, coming out free of smudges or spots. For this price, we do wish the set was bigger, but the quality, look, and feel are still worth it.

Materials: 18/10 stainless steel | Handle Shape: Flare | What's Included: (4) 5-piece settings with a dinner fork, salad fork, table spoon, dessert spoon, and dinner knife

The Spruce Eats / Joy Kim

Best Simple

Oneida Mooncrest Flatware Set

PHOTO: Amazon

$95 at Amazon

$90 at Wayfair

What We Like

  • Outstanding price point

  • Sleek design

  • Rounded edges on handles

  • Good for small hands

What We Don't Like

  • Only one finish option

If your style is no-fuss, no-muss, you'll appreciate this flatware's sleek and simple lines. It's 18/0, which means it has 18 percent chrome to prevent rusting and wear and tear over time. The flatware feels sturdy, so you won't have to worry about it warping with continued use. The set comes in one finish with a few serving pieces and enough forks, knives, and spoons for up to eight dinner settings, and its very reasonable price makes it a great value.

We particularly like the flatware's ease of use&#;their soft curves and balanced weight make them well-suited for all ages to handle. Take care to dry these pieces carefully, as our at-home testing found that rust formed when the knives were left damp too long (as with all stainless steel). Overall, if you&#;re hunting for an affordable starter collection, this set checks many boxes.

Materials: 18/0 stainless steel | Handle Shape: Round | What's Included: (8) 5-piece settings with a salad fork, dinner fork, knife, soup spoon, and tea spoon; (1) serving spoon, (1) serving fork, (1) slotted serving spoon, (1) butter knife, and (1) sugar spoon

Best Everyday

Robert Welch Westbury Mirror Flatware Set

PHOTO: Williams Sonoma

$45 at Williams Sonoma

What We Like

  • Classic design

  • Comfortable to hold

  • Nice weight

  • Easy to clean

What We Don't Like

  • Smudges easily

This timeless and elegant flatware is for anyone who prefers a minimalist approach to their tablescape. We think this pattern is sure to feel as contemporary and classic 10 years from now as it will when you buy it&#;and the quality means you'll still be able to use it every day. Its longevity is thanks to its 18/10 stainless steel and quality forging process.

When we put this flatware to the test, we found that the utensils' mirror-polished shine held up to everyday use. While we think the shine is definitely a selling point, it does mean that the set smudges easily. However, with a simple cloth wipedown, the brilliance was restored.

We really appreciate the versatility of this flatware. It's available in sets of five pieces, 20 pieces, 42 pieces, and 50 pieces, so you can get the exact number of settings you need for your home. The larger setting sizes also include steak knives and serving pieces so that everything on your table matches.

Materials: 18/10 stainless steel | Handle Shape: Pointed flare | What's Included: (1, 4, or 8) 5-piece settings with a salad fork, dinner fork, knife, soup spoon, and tea spoon; with (1) serving spoon, (1) serving fork

Best Minimalist

Mepra Stiria Flatware

PHOTO: Amazon

$199

$155 at Amazon

$199 at Wayfair

$199 at Saks Fifth Avenue

What We Like

  • Minimalist modern design

  • Lightweight, but still feels like quality

  • Dishwasher safe

What We Don't Like

  • Expensive

Mepra is known for its stylish Italian-made flatware featuring sleek, simple lines. The Stiria series is a minimalist, modern collection that has wonderful balance in the hand and a high-luster finish. Available in a 24-piece set, this flatware set will add a touch of contemporary luxury to any tablescape.

Made from 18/10 stainless steel, these pieces are lightweight, but also very sturdy and balanced. The tines on the forks are narrow, yet functional&#;nice for spearing salad greens or holding meat in place while cutting with the included serrated knives. We love the gentle curves of the soup and tea spoon that make them super comfortable for eating and the long, slender handles that feel very elegant to hold.

These high-quality pieces are very easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher. Any spots could be wiped away with a dish towel. Mepra backs this set (and its slightly hefty price) with a limited-lifetime warranty, so expect that you'll be able to use it for a very long time.

Materials: 18/10 stainless steel | Handle Shape: Rectangular | What's Included: (6) 4-piece settings with a dinner fork, knife, soup spoon, and tea spoon

Best Small Set

Robert Welch Caesna Mirror 5-Piece Flatware Place Setting

PHOTO: Crate and Barrel

$45 at Crate & Barrel

$180 at Zola

What We Like

  • Classic design

  • Sturdy

  • Well-balanced

What We Don't Like

  • Knives may require extra care while washing

If you're just starting out or live in a smaller household, that doesn't have to mean sacrificing quality (or buying more than you need). This Caesna flatware comes in 3-piece and 5-piece sets with beautiful pieces designed by Robert Welch. They're forged with 18/10 stainless steel and feature a mirror, satin, or silver finish with a smooth transition from top to handle. The 3-piece flatware place setting includes a dinner fork, dinner spoon, and dinner knife, while the 5-piece place setting adds a salad fork and tea spoon.

What we appreciate about this small flatware set is its versatility. Since there is also a 20-piece set available in the same collection, it's easy to add to your set as your family grows or you need more flatware for guests. There are also matching steak knives and a stunning serving set in the same style, perfect for larger groups. This flatware felt very simple yet elegant during our tests. The dinner forks were balanced and the tapered lines of the spoons held soup well. Thanks to the hefty weight and serrations on the knives, we were able to cut through chicken breast easily.

The manufacturers recommend a short hot cycle in the dishwasher with all-in-one dishwasher tablets and rinse aid for the best cleaning results. A few reviewers reported rust spots on the knives after washing, but we didn't have any issues during our testing period.

Materials: 18/10 stainless steel | Handle Shape: Round | What's Included: (1) 3-piece setting with dinner fork, dinner spoon, and dinner knife. or (1) 5-piece setting with dinner fork, salad fork, dinner spoon, tea spoon, and knife.

The Spruce Eats / Joy Kim

Best Portable

Hommaly Portable Cutlery Set

PHOTO: Amazon

$10

$6 at Amazon

What We Like

  • Sturdy

  • Comes in fun colors

  • Washable, waterproof carrying case

What We Don't Like

  • Case has no loops or straps to hold silverware in place

Those who care about the environment likely cringe when they have to eat their takeout salad with a disposable plastic fork, but who wants to carry around their regular flatware with them everywhere they go? Enter this portable, reusable stainless steel set. It comes with everything you could need to enjoy lunch at your desk&#;even a set of chopsticks for those days when you order sushi&#;plus two metal straws. It's also a perfect set for travel and camping.

Best of all, the utensils come packaged in a waterproof and washable bag that&#;s as easy to clean as the utensils. We love that it's available in a few different, fun colors, including rainbow, adding personality to your desk lunches. We also appreciate how sleek the packaging was, allowing for easy transportation and storage. In addition, the carrying case's interior features aluminum lining for quick cleanup. One thing we don't love is that there are no straps inside to keep each utensil in place, but this is still a great set to take with you anywhere.

Materials: Stainless steel | Handle Shape: Rounded flare | What's Included: (1) 8-piece setting with a fork, knife, spoon, chopsticks, cleaning brush, bent metal straw, straight metal straw, and carrying case

Different Grades of Stainless Steel - Lincoln House Cutlery

Different Grades of Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel

Steel is an alloy from iron and carbon, with a carbon content of 2.1% maximum possible. Stainless steel is a type of steel that is resistant to corrosion with the addition of alloying elements. Stainless steel is part of a family of about 200 alloys of steel that has high heat and corrosion resistance. The carbon percentage of stainless steel can range from 0.03% to 1.2%. A wide number of industries use different grades of stainless steel in manufacturing products. Therefore, its demand is increasing at 5% each year. Stainless steel is also 100% recyclable and made from scrap. This makes it an eco-friendly material. Industries that use stainless steel are:

  • Food and catering
  • Medical equipment
  • Home appliances
  • Chemicals and pharmaceuticals
  • Offshore and shipbuilding
  • Automotive manufacturing
  • Energy and industry
  • Architecture and construction

Properties of Stainless Steel

  • Stainless steel exhibits high strength and low elongation or low strength and high elongation properties.
  • Stainless steel works better at high temperatures due to better resistance properties.
  • Stainless steel material has the highest tensile strength.
  • The cryogenic properties of stainless steel are high, making it suitable for modern technologies.
  • Stainless steel material is highly ductile.
  • The electrical conductivity of stainless steel is extremely low.
  • Stainless steel material has high oxidation resistance due to the presence of chromium metal present in it.
  • This material is biologically inert, making it best for kitchen appliances and cutlery making.
  • This material is resistant to acids, bases, and other organic compounds.
  • Stainless steel material is recyclable, easy to work with and can be cleaned easily.

Types of Stainless Steel

There are four principal types of stainless steel. These are:

&#;     Ferritic Stainless Steel

  • The ferritic phase of alloy stabilizes by the addition of chromium (>17%).
  • This makes the material highly corrosion resistant but not exceptionally strong.
  • Heat treatments cannot help in the hardening of the material.
  • Cold treatments can be done to increase the hardness of a material.
  • Ferritic is an inexpensive grade of stainless steel and therefore is used for kitchen equipment and ornamental applications.

&#;     Martensitic Stainless Steel

  • An addition of chromium-iron alloy up to 2% increases its hardenability.
  • The hardened martensitic can be sufficiently hardened to produce rust-resistant cutlery, surgical instruments, ball valves, and seats.
  • The martensitic stainless steel is magnetic and has a carbon content that makes it difficult to weld.

&#;     Austenitic Steel

  • Austenitic steel is produced by adding 8-20 % nickel to chromium-iron alloy.
  • It is a face-centered cubic structure that offers corrosion resistance and a soft magnetic field.
  • These steels have relatively low carbon content which means they are weldable.
  • These steels are used in applications where corrosion resistance is needed.

&#;     Duplex Steel

  • Duplex steel is a combination of both ferritic and austenitic phases.
  • The strength of these steels is twice the strength of austenitic varieties.
  • Duplex steel offers good corrosion resistance and weldability.
  • These steels are used for special applications where strength is the main concern such as in pressure vessels.

The best and most economical type of stainless steel is austenitic. These steels are widely used in the cutlery industry because of their corrosion resistance and welding properties.

Different Grades of Stainless Steel

There are many different types of grades of stainless steel, and each belongs to one of the principal types of steel. Each one has different properties and is used in different industries.

Grade 304 Stainless Steel

  • SS304 is commonly known as 18-8 stainless steel.
  • It contains 18-20% Cr and 8-10.5% nickel in it.
  • SS304 is non-magnetic under annealing conditions but can be made weakly magnetic by cold treatments.
  • It cannot be hardened by heat treatments, but can be hardened by cold treatments.
  • It has excellent corrosion resistance to mild atmosphere and freshwater, but halides can make them corrode easily.
  • 18-8 stainless steel does not require preheating for welding purposes and has excellent welding properties.
  • It is the most widely used austenitic steel in industries such as food, electronics, medical equipment, hardware tools, water treatment plants, and the petrochemical industry.

Grade 310 Stainless Steel

  • SS310 is commonly known as 18-10 stainless steel.
  • It is a high chromium-nickel austenitic steel that also has high carbon content.
  • This grade shows high oxidation, creep, and heat resistance.
  • SS310 is widely used in the petrochemical industry in carburizing conditions.
  • It is commonly used in cryogenic applications because of its stiffness and lower magnetic permeability.
  • It cannot be toughened by heat processing but with cold processes.
  • This grade is easily weldable and can be found in different forms such as mesh, wires, strips, foil, plate, and sheets.
  • 18-10stainless steel is used in industries for heat and chemical processes.

Grade 430 Stainless Steel

  • SS430 is commonly referred to as 18-0 stainless steel.
  • It contains 18% of chromium and the amount of nickel is negligible in it.
  • It is less costly than that of 300 series because of the absence of nickel elements.
  • It is a low-carbon and non-hardenable steel.
  • It cannot be hardened by heat processes but cold forging methods can be applied to it.
  • This grade can be welded but to a very limited level therefore, it should not be used for load-bearing applications.
  • This grade has high oxidation and temperature resistance and can withstand many chemicals.
  • The 18-0 grade is not suitable for low temperatures because they turn brittle when cooled down from elevated temperatures.
  • It has a high elastic modulus meaning that it cannot bend and is stiff and stronger than other series.
  • It is widely used in manufacturing dishwasher linings, automotive trim, formed parts, industrial roofing, wall cladding, utensils, mining equipment, and heat-resisting applications.

LINCOLN HOUSE is a leading supplier of cutlery and tableware. They also provide high-quality products for the hospitality and catering sectors. Contact for more details.

The company is the world’s best Stainless Steel Flatware With Artistic Features supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

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