Ready to create the ultimate tablescape? Cutlery including forks, spoons, knives, and more are part of every meal, an essential part of your home. Selecting the right cutlery set is the last piece of the puzzle to complete your table setting. As many of us purchase cutlery sets only a handful of times in our lives, it's important to make the absolute right choice for your home. From material, style, to finishing, here are some factors to consider before making your selection.
Material
While cutlery can be made from a variety of materials, the most popular cutlery material is stainless steel. You may have come across 18/10, 18/8 and 18/0 grade stainless steel while browsing.
What do these numbers mean?
The numbers on the cutlery indicate the grade of stainless steel your cutlery is made of. Classified based on the percentage of chrome and nickel in the steels, the higher number corresponds to the higher nickel percentage in your steel. For example, 18/10 stainless steel has 18% chrome and 10% nickel, and so on and so forth. The amount of nickel in these steels directly affects the steels’ corrosion resistance and lustre.
What are the differences between these stainless steel grades?
18/10 stainless steel
- Contains the highest amount of nickel (10%)
- Highest quality and durability
- Highly resistant to corrosion
- Maintains lustre well
- Expensive compared to other grades
- Hand wash recommended
- Ideal for fine dining and formal events
18/8 stainless steel
- Contains 8% nickel
- A good balance between quality and price
- Similar durability to 18/10 stainless steel but less expensive
- Resistant to corrosion
- Maintains lustre
- Hand wash recommended
- Ideal for everyday use and special events
18/0 stainless steel
- Contains 0% nickel
- Highly affordable
- May bend easily
- Less resistant to corrosion
- Dishwasher safe
- Ideal for everyday use
Style
Cutlery sets can come in various styles and finishes, but the perfect cutlery set for you will depend on your personal style, home aesthetic, and your table setting.
Stainless steel cutlery sets
For maximum durability and effortless style, stainless steel cutlery sets are usually a safe bet. They come in many styles, shapes, and silhouettes to suit your personal tastes. Cleaning stainless steel is also easy as you don’t have to worry about maintaining its handles during the wash.
Cutlery with wooden handles
Wooden handles on cutlery can look great and add a touch of luxury, but it also means they are more susceptible to wear. This type of cutlery should also be hand washed to preserve their finish.
Mirror or matte finish?
Stainless steel cutlery with a mirror finish will look stunning on any table and add a touch of elegance to any event, perfect for fine dining and more formal functions. On the other hand, a matte finish on your flatware is perfect to add a contemporary touch to your table. A matte finish also easily hides fingerprints and smudges and does not require polishing.
Which cutlery set should I buy?
The ideal cutlery set for you depends on the place setting you have in mind. We recommend purchasing more cutlery than you need as spoons and forks tend to get easily lost, and you may occasionally need to entertain more guests than expected in a pinch. For average households, we recommend cutlery sets with a place setting for 4, ideal for everyday use. For larger households and party hosts, you may want to purchase cutlery sets for 8 persons and more.
Our Favourite Cutlery Brands
1. Stanley Rogers: No.1 most popular brand in Australia
Renowned for their quality, craftsmanship and timeless style since 1930, Stanley Rogers Cutlery is iconic in Australia. Once a small retail store on Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, Stanley Rogers has grown to be recognised as a leader in stainless steel cutlery manufacturing, along with premium dining and kitchenware products. To this day, Stanley Rogers is committed to upholding the utmost quality and craftsmanship with timeless styles as seen in popular Stanley Rogers Cutlery Sets.
Stanley Rogers Bolero 30 Piece Cutlery Set
Set your table in style with this Stanley Rogers Bolero Cutlery Set. Carefully crafted from quality 18/10 stainless steel complete with a gorgeous hammer finish, this rustic cutlery set will surely make an impression at your dinner party. Featuring dinner knives, dinner forks, dessert spoons, and soup spoons for 6 place settings, this cutlery set will have you dining in style. This set is dishwasher safe and comes in a gift box, making it the perfect gift for new homeowners and newly weds.
2. Laguiole: Colourful cutlery made in France
Laguiole cutlery originated in the small village of Laguiole, France with only 5 craftsmen. Today, the name Laguiole is synonymous with quality and style; the unmistakable design and colourful handles are recognisable globally. As the legend goes, the Bee is an emblem of Laguiole and a symbol of bravery presented by Napoleon himself. While Laguiole is not a single brand or company, many Laguiole manufacturers still make these high quality knives and cutlery in France. Laguiole Andre Verdier and Laguiole Jean Neron are affordable choices for those looking for high quality options without hurting your wallet. But if you’re partial to premium hand-crafted quality, then Laguiole En Aubrac is the right choice for you.
Laguiole Andre Verdier Debutant 24 Piece Cutlery Set in Cornflower
Laguiole Andre Verdier Debutant Cutlery Set is the brand’s exquisitely designed cutlery set with an affordable price. This set features knives, forks, spoons, and teaspoons for a table of 6, ideal for everyday use or special events. Each piece is masterfully crafted from stainless steel and finished sumptuously with stainless steel bolsters, five-rivet handles, and the traditional Laguiole Napoleon bee. The full tang construction ensures expert balance and superior durability, while modern resin handles in a cornflower colour make them easy to maintain and beautiful.
3. Robert Welch: Designer cutlery with premium quality
Robert Welch began with humble beginnings in the 1950s with only his passion for creating timeless elegant products that are also affordable and functional. Robert Welch cutlery soon garnered a reputation for excellent quality cutlery sets, steak knives, and kitchen accessories. In the years that followed, the team at Robert Welch expanded to include designers, craftsmen, and prototype creators to create iconic designs that would define the 50s era and win awards. Today, the British brand is still family-owned, crafting cutlery with strong sculptural shapes with functionality and comfort as a priority.
Robert Welch Iona 42 Piece Cutlery Set
The Robert Welch Iona Cutlery Set is made for dining in elegance and comfort. Beautifully crafted from high quality 18/10 stainless steel with a mirror finish, the sleek cutlery set is a delight to use. Complete with table knives, table forks, soup spoons, side knives, side forks, dessert spoon, teaspoons for a table of 6, this set will elevate your table setting in style. The set comes with limited lifetime warranty and is dishwasher safe to provide peace of mind and convenience.
4. Tablekraft: Most popular cutlery brand in Australia
If you’re looking for value, quality, and style in your cutlery, then look no further than Tablekraft! Established as one of Australia's most popular cutlery brands, Tablekraft cutlery can be found in many restaurants and cafes all over the country. The brand designs cutlery to easily complement contemporary and casual table settings. Made with 18/10 stainless steel, Tablekraft cutlery has a reputation for durability so you can rest assured your cutlery will last many years of use.
Tablekraft Bogart 56 Piece Cutlery Set
Classically elegant with symmetrical contours and complete with a mirror polish, the Bogart Cutlery Set will surely add a touch of sophistication to your meals. Included in this set are table forks, dessert forks, table knives, dessert knives, soup spoons, dessert spoons, and tea spoons for 8 place settings, great for everyday use with extras for guests. Crafted from 18/10 stainless steel, this timeless set is dishwasher safe and gift boxed, making it the ideal gift for loved ones.
5. Villeroy and Boch Cutlery: Where design and functionality meet
One of the global pioneers in the industry since the 19th century, Villeroy and Boch have always been true to their core value of designing products with both style and function. Villeroy and Boch Cutlery is carefully crafted from high-quality stainless steel in stunning designs to transform a simple meal into a special event. The award winning brand’s memorable pieces are perfect to make everyday items feel extra special.
Villeroy and Boch Victor 24 Piece Cutlery Set
The sleek and elegant Villeroy and Boch Victor Cutlery Set features clean pared-down lines ideal for any table setting. Featuring table knives, table forks, table spoons, and coffee spoons for a party of 6, this set will add a touch of style to your dinner party or tea party. The dishwasher safe stainless steel cutlery set also makes cleaning up a breeze, perfect for entertaining guests or a lovely meal at home.
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