The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Wholesale Flatware Sale

Purchasing flatware is trickier than you may think. It’s a big purchase. You aren’t buying something that’ll get replaced every year or so. Buy some flatware, and you’re in it for the long haul. Studies have shown most people buy new flatware every decade or so. If you don’t choose the right flatware, you’ll be stuck with something you loathe for a while, or at the very least, you’ll be making another big purchase in the not-so-distant future. We’ll help.

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There are three major considerations when buying flatware. The first is the design, you’ll need something that appeals to you. Secondly, you’ll consider the metal, e.g. stainless steel, silverware, etc. Finally, you’ll want to think about the production method of the flatware. For example, is it forged, or stamped?

In this guide, we’ll teach you how to buy the best flatware in . You’ll learn about the different metal types. You’ll discover what weird numbers like 18/10 and 18/10 mean. We’ll even let you know the best grades to buy if you’re buying flatware with the plan of it lasting decades. There’s a lot to cover, and we can’t wait to share it with you! 

How to Choose the Best Flatware

As we said, there are three main things that you’ll think about when buying flatware – the design, the metal, and the manufacturing process. You’ll also need to think about how much flatware you need to buy (and it may be more than you initially think).

The goal of this section is to walk you through the purchasing process. We’ll tell you all the considerations when buying new flatware. We know that choosing the right flatware for your home can be a very personal process, but we hope that our knowledge will put you on the path toward making the right choices.

Your Budget

Flatware varies drastically in price. You can pick up a set for $10 right now (please don’t, it would be hideous), or you could pick up a set for thousands of dollars (probably overkill for most people). The huge variation in price means that you should have some sort of budget in mind when buying your flatware.

We recommend spending a minimum of $100-$150 on your flatware. We know that this can sound like a lot for some people but remember that you’ll be using this flatware for several years, so it’s worth getting something decent. If you can spend even more than this, then fantastic! You’ll end up with better quality flatware that looks stunning. Although, $100-$150 is fine for most people. You may need to double this price if you’re buying 10-12 sets of flatware at a time.

How Much Flatware Do You Really Need?

We hate to get all cliché here – but how long is a piece of string? There’s no one right answer to this question! While some people may get away with just 4-5 sets of flatware (knife, fork, spoon), others may need much more.

We recommend that you buy as many as you can afford, and there are two reasons for this:

In our opinion, you should aim to have 6-12 complete sets, plus any extras (e.g. cake slicers, pronged spoons, etc.) you think you may need. This should be enough to cover you for a few years, and if you ever feel like entertaining, it ensures that people won’t have mismatched flatware.

The Design

The design isn’t something that we can help you with. The design of your flatware is a personal choice, but we do have a couple of tips for you here:

Yes. We are steering you toward flatware that has a more basic design here because we believe that you’ll get far better value for your money. It is something that you are less likely to be disappointed with in the future due to changing design tastes. Of course, you’re free to avoid this advice. Opt for any design that you want. It is a personal choice. We won’t complain, and we’re sure that any choice you make will be a wonderful one!

The Choice of Metal

Yes. We know that flatware is available in materials other than metal. Right now, you can buy flatware made from wood, resin, or plastic. We wouldn’t recommend either of these materials if you are buying flatware for the long haul. They don’t stand up to the rigors of regular use all that well. Instead, you want some metal flatware. Specifically, you want something that falls into one of these two groups:

Most people will gravitate toward stainless steel flatware. It is cheaper and looks tremendous. It is also a lot easier to keep clean than silver flatware, which requires regular polishing to look pristine. Stainless steel flatware is available in a variety of different grades. We’ll discuss those shortly because when you go for stainless steel flatware, the grade is incredibly important!  

If you want the fanciest of fancy flatware, then silver is the way to go. Sterling silver flatware is solid silver (with a dash of copper) and is the most expensive type of flatware you can buy. Plated silver flatware is a lot cheaper and involves a piece of metal (the metal varies) coated with silver. It looks as good as solid silver flatware but isn’t as brilliant for the long-term (sterling silver will hold its value due to the high silver content).

You should be fine with stainless steel flatware. While we can see the merits of having silver flatware, it isn’t really something most people need for daily use. It is fancy flatware that you pull out for guests. It looks good, but we feel there are often better ways to spend your money.

Manufacturing Process

Flatware is made in two different ways. Well, technically, dozens of different ways, but the methods are broken down into two broad categories:

Stamped flatware is the cheapest flatware you can buy. Stamped flatware is produced from a ribbon of metal that has had a rather large metal stamp come crashing down onto it, stamping out the shape of flatware. This flatware is very lightweight, and it isn’t all that durable as most stamped flatware has been made from a very thin ribbon of metal. Still, if you are on a budget, it may be the way to go.

Forged flatware is made from a metal rod. The metal rod is heated up and then beaten with a hammer to forge the shape of the flatware. Some forged flatware is handmade, but most on the market will have been produced by a machine. Forged flatware is heavier, and it feels so much better in the hand. It is a lot more durable than stamped flatware, particularly with knives. The downside is the extra cost. Still, you’re buying something that you’ll be using for a long time here. It may be worth the extra money.

In our opinion, go for forged flatware, if you can afford it. It’s worth the money. That’s not to say there aren’t decent pieces of stamped flatware out there, but most stamped flatware has been made to a budget. This can make the good stuff tricky to track down.

How Can You Tell Good Quality Stainless Steel Flatware?

Chances are, you’ll want stainless steel flatware. However, you shouldn’t just pick up any old stainless-steel flatware. You need to pay attention to the quality of the metal. Contrary to popular belief, stainless steel does rust. It isn’t rust-proof. It also isn’t naturally durable. So, you’ll need to buy quality stainless steel flatware if you want to keep the rust at bay, as well as ensure that your stainless-steel flatware doesn’t suffer from pitting of the metal, bending, etc.

Thankfully, stainless steel flatware manufacturers make it incredibly easy to tell the quality of a piece of stainless steel, and this is all thanks to two numbers that will be stamped on the metal (normally 18/0. 18/10, or 18/8). These numbers tell us two things:

With 18/10 stainless steel, there’ll also be a hint of molybdenum (2%).

Here’s how the stainless steel grades rank:

If possible (i.e., if your budget allows), pick up 18/10 stainless steel flatware. It will last decades. If you can’t afford that, then 18/8 can make a cheaper alternative. Only go for 18/0 flatware if you have a very limited budget.

What Is the Best Grade of Stainless Steel for Flatware?

The best grade of stainless steel for flatware is 18/10. It is the most durable (resistant to pitting, scratches, and dents), and is anti-corrosive. It is the most expensive grade of stainless steel, but buy well, and you’ll have something that lasts you for decades.

What Is the Difference Between 18/0 and 18/10 Flatware?

18/10 is the best stainless steel money can buy. It has 16% chromium, 2% molybdenum, and 10% nickel. It is anti-corrosive, durable, and polishes up very well.

18/0, on the other hand, is just 18% chromium. There is no nickel, and there is no molybdenum. It is easy to manufacture, and the cheapest stainless steel flatware on the market will be 18/0. It is nowhere near as durable as 18/10 flatware, and you may get a few years out of it, at the most. Due to the low durability and the higher chance of rusting, we suggest you only opt for 18/0 flatware if your budget doesn’t allow for anything more expensive.

The only area where 18/0 flatware does win out for some people is the color. Because of the low nickel content, it doesn’t ‘shine’ as much as higher grades of stainless steel. So, if you want a matte look to your flatware (and don’t mind the lower durability), then 18/0 may be the route to go down.

What Is the Best Grade of Silverware to Buy?

18/10 stainless steel is the best grade of silverware to buy. It is expensive, but it is something that will last you a long time. 18/10 stainless steel is durable enough to put up with daily use, but sturdy and shiny enough to work for entertaining too.

If you want actual silverware (i.e. flatware made from silver), then sterling silver is the route to go down. It is expensive, but it is almost pure silver and looks superb.

What is the Highest-Grade Silverware?

18/10 stainless steel is the highest-grade stainless steel silverware you can buy.

Sterling silver is the highest-grade silver silverware you can buy.

Final Thoughts

As you can see – choosing the best flatware in can be tough, but not impossible. For now, just focus on buying the best quality stainless steel flatware that you can afford, whether it be 18/0, 18/8, or 18/10 (preferably the latter), after that, choose your design and you are pretty much there. Just make sure that you spend a bit of time choosing your flatware because, if you choose well, you’ll find something that’ll last you for years.

FAQs

Is 18/0 or 18/10 Better Flatware?

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18/10 flatware is considerably better than 18/0 flatware. The higher nickel content ensures increased durability and more anti-corrosion properties. 18/0 is cheaper, but won’t last anywhere near as long.

Is 18/8 or 18/10 Better?

18/10 flatware is better than 18/8 flatware. However, there will be a huge difference in price between the two. Opt for 18/10 flatware if you want the best of the best, but most people will be fine with 18/8 flatware.

Is 18/10 Stainless Steel a Good Quality?

18/10 stainless steel is the highest-grade stainless steel. If you want the best stainless steel flatware out there, always buy 18/10.

How to choose the best flatware for your foodservice operation

Like all aspects of your decor - colours, style of chairs, dinnerware and drinkware patterns - flatware also tells your story. Your customers get up close and personal with your cutlery; grabbing, gripping, touching and putting it in their mouths.  Trust us, they will remember if your choice of forks, spoons and dinner knives fell flat.

But with all the choices, how do you know which one is best for your operation? Our Foodservice Flatware Buying Guide will tell you what you need to know. 

There are four major things to consider: 

Material 
Weight 
Pattern 
Size 

These major considerations put together will determine the last. Cost.  Before you start shopping, have an idea of what your budget can handle because there is a large range in prices.  But rest assured, there is something available that meets your needs without breaking the bank. 

Flatware Material 

Silver-plated flatware is most often found in high-end fine dining establishments. It is available at a much higher price point than stainless steel flatware and requires more delicate care. Because it is susceptible to tarnish, it is necessary to polish silverware and it will live a much longer life when hand washed. 

Stainless steel flatware is the most popular option for food service operations, is dishwasher safe, and offers three levels of quality and durability. Stainless steel flatware quality is based on varying quantities of chromium and nickel content. Chrome offers strength while the addition of nickel contributes rust-resistance and a silver sheen or luster. 

You will notice number codes associated with stainless steel flatware that will indicate the chrome and nickel content. 

18/10 flatware is the most durable and often the most expensive style of stainless-steel flatware. The 18/10 indicates 18% chromium and 10% nickel. 18/10 flatware offers top notch rust resistance and a lovely sheen. 

18/8 flatware is your mid-level option, containing 8% nickel. This level of quality offers good protection from rust and corrosion along with a high luster. 

18/0 stainless steel flatware contains no nickel and therefore no protection from corrosion or cleaning. It’s the budget friendly alternative and has the bonus of being magnetic; a handy feature for operations that use a magnetic flatware retriever on the trash bins. This selection is often found in fast casual dining and for anyone with a sensitivity to nickel this is the way to go. 

13/0 is conventionally used for knife blades because it holds a sharp edge well, but can rust and bend and therefore requires some extra care.

Forged vs Stamped Flatware

Stainless steel is turned into cutlery using one of two primary methods. Forging or stamping. 

Forged flatware is made from a thick piece of stainless steel that is heated and cut to form each utensil. Stamped flatware skips the heating step and the flatware is cut like a stamp out of the large pieces of stainless steel.

Forged flatware is stronger while stamped flatware is more flexible. 

Weight of your flatware matters

Good quality flatware will have a bit of heft to it. It should be evenly balanced and comfortable to use. It is recommended to get a feel for weight and balance whenever possible. The dinner fork is the most used piece, so make sure to test it out - consider ordering a small amount to get a feel.

It is important to note that heavier utensils denote higher quality in customers’ minds, so if you’re looking to impress the customer while choosing a more budget friendly material, go for the higher weighted option in that category. 

Weight Pros Cons Best Use Medium (Economy)  light easily damaged cafeterias inexpensive bendable institutional easily replace basic patterns fast casual Heavy mid-level durability can be unbalanced fast casual more pattern options can feel awkward catering banquets Extra Heavy strong and durable higher price fine dining

Flatware Pattern (and Finish) 

Opt for a flatware pattern and finish that suits your style and compliments your other tableware including dinnerware, drinkware, linens and serving accessories.

Classic patterns are traditionally detailed with scrollwork. Choose flatware with curved lines to coordinate tableware with rounded design, or straight lines to match more angular motifs. Classic design is timeless and works for many styles of table settings. 

Modern patterns provide clean lines, and contemporary looking flatware that can complement more elaborate and decorative dishware or reinforce a more stringent style. Modern style is purposeful and progressive in design. 

Decorative patterns make you think of floral and romantic concepts with organic flourishes. 

Rustic patterns are chunky, and can use alternative handle materials such as wood or ceramic. 

Keep in mind that a more lustrous finish on your flatware is fitting with glossy table tops, where a matte or hammered finish complements more rustic wood surfaces. 

Flatware Sizes - yes, even cutlery comes in different sizes 

Flatware is produced as luncheon-size, place-size and continental, and can be thought of as small, medium and large. 

Luncheon-size flatware is the shortest in length and not commonly used today. 

Place-size flatware, also called American size, is approximately half an inch larger than luncheon-size and the most popular choice among restauranteurs. Its size balances well with an average table setting. 

Continental flatware, also called European size, is generally a half-inch longer than place-size flatware and an inch longer than luncheon size. Continental is proportioned for a formal table setting and is slightly heavier than the other two size options. 

How much flatware to purchase? 

Decide what flatware you need. Make a list. Review your menu and the utensils used in the serving and consumption of each dish. Also take into consideration your turn-over rate. How fast will the flatware need to be washed and ready for the next use? 

Restaurant flatware is typically sold in packs of 12 or multiples of a dozen and can vary between manufacturers.

A generalized rule of thumb is to order 2-3 pieces of flatware per seat. So if your restaurant seats 50 people, you will want a minimum of 100 forks, 100 spoons etc. It is always recommended to order more than you think you’ll need. You might be surprised at how much cutlery ends up accidentally scraped in with the trash. 

Here's a reference chart to help you determine how much of each type of cutlery you need for your foodservice business.  The number is a factor that you can use to determine the number of each you should have on hand.

# of seats x factor = # of pieces to order

For example: 100 seat family restaurant needs to order soup spoons.  The factor from the chart below is 2.

100 seats x 2 = 200 pieces

Remember that pack sizes differ between manufacturers, but are typically sold by the dozen so order to the nearest dozen.  200 pieces = 17 DZ.

FLATWARE ORDERING FACTORS

Item Type Fine Dining Casual Dining Teaspoon 5 4 Dessert/Soup Spoon 2 2 Tablespoon 0.25 0.25 Iced Tea Spoon 1.5 1.5 Demitasse Spoon 2 - Bouillon Spoon 2 2 Dinner Fork 3 3 Salad/Dessert Fork 1.5 1.5 Cocktail Fork 1.5 - Dinner Knife 2 2 Butter Knife 1.5 1

When it comes down to it, pick the flatware that suits your industry, aesthetic and budget. There is an overwhelming number of decisions that need to be made operating a foodservice business. Let the choice of flatware be a straightforward one.  

Written by Breanne Baker

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