Wholesale Flatware Buying Guide for 2022

A table&#;s flatware is often the final piece that brings the whole puzzle together. Gorgeous flatware can help enhance the look and feel of your set-up, and it also makes it possible to enjoy serving and eating food with ease.

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But finding flatware that works for you and fits in your budget isn&#;t as straightforward as it may seem. There are lots of things to consider to ensure you make a purchase that you&#;re not just happy with, but excited about.

What Is Considered Flatware?

Flatware is an all-encompassing term used to describe the objects we use to eat (or eat off or out of). It includes things like forks, spoons, and other serving items.

In most situations, the utensils we use to prepare, serve, and eat food are what we&#;re thinking of when we discuss flatware. However, it&#;s sometimes used interchangeably with other terms like silverware and cutlery to mean the same thing.

Just because these words tend to be used like they are the same thing doesn&#;t mean they actually are, though. 

What Is the Difference Between Flatware and Silverware?

Silverware can be a type of flatware, but not all flatware is silverware. 

Silverware is anything made almost entirely or completely from silver. A lot of times, the term is used as a synonym for utensils or cutlery, but technically this usage is incorrect. 

To be classified as silverware, an object can&#;t just contain silver, it must be predominantly composed of it. That means that over 90% of the object&#;s makeup will be pure silver.

Some flatware out there may be made with silver, which would mean that it is, indeed, silverware. 

But if you&#;re looking to buy products, it&#;s crucial that you understand the difference between the two; wasting time and money on something that doesn&#;t fit your expectations is never ideal.

Flatware vs Silverware vs Cutlery

To add another layer to the mix of confusing terminology, it also helps to be aware of what we mean when we talk about cutlery. 

In the modern world, cutlery is most often used as a fancy synonym for words like flatware or utensils. But, traditionally, the word has a meaning of its own.

Objects that cut things, like butter knives, steak knives, etc., are considered cutlery. As mentioned, it&#;s more common than not to see cutlery mixed in with other types of tableware and marketed as such.

Still, as is the case in the flatware vs silverware discussion, being aware of these distinctions makes it much easier to have an accurate understanding of what the products you&#;re considering do and don&#;t offer.

If cutlery is an essential part of your plan, for instance, it&#;s key to realize that not all flatware sets may feature cutlery. Extra shopping and planning might be necessary.

What is Flatware Made Of?

Flatware can be made out of just about anything. Most of it, though, is made out of some sort of metal (like nickel) or stainless steel.

Flatware may also be coated with other metals or materials to give them a more unique and polished look or keep them intact for longer. 

Stainless steel is the best option and the highest quality, as it's more durable, especially if it has a coating to prevent scratches and promote longevity.

Our flatware here at Urquid is made from excellent quality stainless steel and it is coated with a titanium plating so you can use over and over, setting apart our flatware from the rest.

How to Choose and Buy Wholesale Flatware

If you&#;re looking to buy flatware in bulk, you&#;ll want to be sure that what you&#;re purchasing is good quality, fits your needs, and doesn&#;t break the bank.

But how can you go about doing those things, and what sort of things should you consider when making a decision? Let&#;s break it down.

Choose Your Price Range

Before you can make any sort of choices about style, quantity, materials, and other details, you&#;ll want to have a good idea of what your budget is. The amount you&#;re able to spend will likely impact all of the other factors you&#;re thinking about.

What Type of Flatware Should I Buy? Consider Your Materials

Not all flatware is made equal in terms of quality, but also in terms of practicality. Think about the details of the event or service you&#;re looking to plan: what sort of limitations or needs might impact your flatware?

For example, something high end and luxurious, like silverware, might be best for a formal event like a wedding reception. In other cases, though, a flatware set that&#;s less valuable and more replaceable may be ideal.

Choose a Style That Fits

The look of your flatware matters just as much as how it performs, at least if you&#;re concerned about creating a cohesive and professional-looking table setting. 

As a result, it&#;s important to find a style of flatware that matches your goals and needs. 

There are thousands of product options on the market, many of which won&#;t feel like a good fit for your vision. What may be more helpful than searching aimlessly is developing an idea of what you&#;re looking for and going from there.

How formal should the flatware be? How much work and effort are you able to dedicate to maintaining and cleaning the tableware? Is there a color or design scheme you&#;re incorporating elsewhere into your planning? Do you need access to just utensils and cutlery, or are you also interested in things like hostess sets and serving sets?

These questions and more can help you narrow down your search to just the products that truly interest you.

Flatware Examples: Our Recommendation

When in doubt, it never hurts to turn to elegant-looking, high-quality stainless flatware sets, including the many options we offer here at Urquid Linen.

One of our favorite picks is the Luna Klasik Flatware/Cutlery Set in Gold, which is made from durable, corrosion-resistant stainless steel and coated with a titanium finish. 

Luna Klasik Flatware/Cutlery Set in Gold

This flatware features a beautiful matte dull shine that catches eyes and brings a new, unique element to table décor.

It&#;s also incredibly easy to care for and simple to order in the quantity you need. Not a fan of the gold color? No problem &#; this set comes in a variety of colors, including silver, rose gold, and more.

Even if black flatware is your thing, this set has you covered.

Why Buy Wholesale? Take Care of Your Flatware Needs With Urquid

Buying your flatware in bulk is one of the best and easiest ways to get the product you need at a price you can afford and at a quantity that makes sense. 

Whether you need flatware for restaurants, bulk flatware for weddings, parties, or something else entirely, purchasing wholesale can save you a lot of time (and money). Our products here at Urquid Linen are made to order, giving you a unique level of control over your order that is hard to find elsewhere. 

Our collection of flatware arrangements covers different styles and needs so that just about anyone can find something that works. We&#;re committed to providing only the best quality products, but if you&#;re less than satisfied with your purchase, our customer service team is able and eager to work with you to make things right.

When you purchase with Urquid, you get peace of mind and confidence along with your product so that you can refocus your energy to what really matters: taking care of your plans and getting things done.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are some commonly asked questions related to flatware that often lead to confusion. Be sure to check out our blog for more information about all things related to linens!

What is in a five piece flatware set?

A five piece flatware set usually contains two forks, two spoons, and a knife. Both the forks and spoons tend to come with a traditionally-sized option and a &#;dessert&#; or &#;salad&#; option, which is smaller. 

Look out for various flatware descriptions and the details they contain, as they should note what is and isn&#;t included in a given set.

What is considered a full set of flatware?

Most of the time, a full set of flatware encompasses everything you need to set your table, serve food, and eat. This can include utensils, cutlery, and accessories like serving tools. 

What flatware do restaurants use?

Restaurants may use flatware that&#;s made of a metal or stainless steel the most because these options are more affordable and easier to work with. However, it&#;s also possible to see restaurants branch out from this and use things like silverware.

Wholesale flatware for restaurants tends to be made of materials that are easier to access, though. They may even be made from things like acrylic or plastic.

Weight of the Flatware Sets Set Dinner Fork Weight Spoon Weight Knife Weight Made In 54 grams 49 grams 109 grams Lenox 42.2 grams 52 grams 136 grams Robert Welch Caesna 62 grams 76 grams 110 grams Robert Welch Westbury 78 grams 87 grams 127 grams Our Table 63 grams 74 grams  107 grams Oneida Voss 52 grams 136 grams 42.2 grams CB2 70 grams 50.6 grams 100 grams Laguiole 49 grams 61 grams 45 grams Zwilling 51 grams 57 grams 98 grams LIANYU 46 grams 56 grams 80 grams Knork 4 grams 88 grams 88 grams Oneida Mooncrest  72 grams 64 grams 114 grams Pfaltzgraff 36 grams 35 grams 74 grams  Reed & Barton 57. grams 60 grams  95 grams Mikasa York  66 grams 63 grams   107 grams HENCKELS ALCEA 45 grams 50 grams 83 grams Dansk Bistro Cafe 63 grams 56 grams 83 grams Ginkgo Lyon 48 grams 56 grams 50 grams Williams Sonoma 58 grams NA (no dinner spoon) 102 grams

Even though it was slightly lighter, the Oneida Voss 45-Piece Flatware Set&#;s 60-gram salad fork felt bulky and unwieldy compared to Robert Welch Westbury&#;s 64.6-gram version. Still, I overall preferred the heavier sets. The average weight of dinner forks was 56.8 grams. Models that fell significantly below this, including the 36.4-gram and 44.7-gram offerings from Pflatzgraff and HENCKELS, felt thin and flimsy. 

Smooth Finishes Were Pleasant

Forks should be smooth in the mouth; I disliked ones that had rough edges that caught on my cheek when eating.

Serious Eats / Madeline Muzzi

The ideal flatware should feel pleasant both in the hand and in the mouth, and I preferred forks and spoons with a smooth finish. Some sets, like the Williams Sonoma Pantry 36-Piece Flatware Set with Caddy and the Pflatzgraff, had rough edges as though they had been stamped out of a metal sheet. This created an unpleasant sensation&#;the fork tines caught slightly in my mouth. Other sets, like the Mikasa York 20-Piece Flatware Set and Reed & Barton Flatware Place Setting had a smooth texture but felt thin and tinny. The Made In Flatware, Dansk Bistro Cafe Flatware Sets, and Robert Welch Caesna Mirror 5-Piece Flatware Place Setting had a pleasant balance of body and presence. 

Good Design Was Essential 

Stainless steel sets were durable and easy to clean&#;a must when they're you're everyday eating utensils.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Textured Stainless Steel Flatware Sets.

Serious Eats / Madeline Muzzi

Certain design elements are practical. All the sets I tested were 18/10 stainless steel and dishwasher-safe&#;a must for everyday flatware. Stainless steel is durable and low maintenance. It will last for years and doesn&#;t require polishing.  Beyond those basic elements, setting your kitchen table is a visual endeavor. The flatware I tested ranged from simple and classic to ornamented and elaborate. Design is a personal choice&#;the best flatware set is the one you&#;ll be excited to use. My winners are all beautiful and versatile, but a few models deserve a special design callout: The Reed & Barton is vintage-inspired and ornate, while cottagecore fans might enjoy the charming and rustic Ginkgo Lyon Stainless-Steel Flatware. For modern design lovers, check out the sleek Dansk Bistro Cafe Flatware set.

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Flatware Set

Serious Eats / Madeline Muzzi

The best flatware sets are balanced, with a pleasant heft and smooth edges. Complete sets should include a minimum of five pieces&#;a dinner fork, salad fork, dinner knife, large spoon, and a soup or dessert spoon. Anything outside of this (like a butter knife or matching salad serving set) earns bonus points. Look for reasonably sized utensils that can fit comfortably in your mouth. For ease and durability, choose a dishwasher-safe set with stainless steel construction. Utensils should last a lifetime and will get near-daily use, so don&#;t be afraid to invest in a set that you love and will stand the test of time. 

Our Favorite Flatware Sets

What we liked: The Made In flatware set is simple and elegant. Each piece is pleasantly heavy and well-balanced. They&#;re also well sized&#;the utensils accommodate a generous amount of food and fit comfortably in the mouth. Their smooth finish has a pleasant mouthfeel. The knife is sharp enough to slice through chicken but won't accidentally nick you if you reach for it in the drawer.

What we didn&#;t like: This is an expensive set. At $10 per piece, it&#;s the priciest winner. Made In doesn&#;t manufacture any serveware, like a slotted spoon or large fork, so if you want your serving pieces to match your flatware, this isn&#;t the set for you. 

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel
• Cost per piece: $10
• What&#;s included: 4 dinner forks, 4 salad forks, 4 dinner spoons, 4 dessert spoons, 4 dinner knives
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe
  

Serious Eats / Madeline Muzzi

What we liked: This set includes everything you need to host a dinner party. In addition to 12 complete place settings, it comes with two serving spoons, a serving fork, a butter knife, and a sugar spoon. This is a great option for anyone who is stocking their first kitchen. The Lenox Portola flatware delivers impressive quality for the price, too&#;the pieces are pleasantly balanced and feel durable.

What we didn&#;t like: During testing, I found that this set has slightly rougher edges than its pricier competitors, and the fork tines catch slightly in the mouth. The pieces feel reasonably high-quality, but they&#;re significantly lighter than the other winning choices and four out of five of the standard pieces fell below the average category weight. 

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel
• Cost per piece: $1.74
• What&#;s included: Includes (12) 5-piece place settings and 5-piece serving set with serving spoon, pierced serving spoon, sugar spoon, butter knife, and serving fork.
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe
  

Serious Eats / Madeline Muzzi

What we liked: This is a sleek, well-made set with heavy pieces and smooth edges. The spoons have a modern silhouette with a gentle, sloping transition between the basin and the handle&#;just enough to add a subtle design flair to your table. The forks were well sized and the teaspoon was large enough to hold satisfying bites of soup. Robert Welch also manufactures Caesna steak knives and serving sets, which can be purchased separately to complete your tablescape. 

What we didn&#;t like: The dinner spoon is huge and slightly off balance&#;the handle is disproportionately heavy and might tip out of a bowl if shaken.   

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel
• Cost per piece: $9
• What&#;s included: Dinner fork, salad fork, dinner knife, dinner spoon, and teaspoon
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe
  

Serious Eats / Madeline Muzzi

What we liked: The Robert Welch Westbury flatware is smooth and heavy. The pleasant heft makes the pieces feel high-quality&#;each utensil weighed more than the average category weight. This set features a simple design&#;the utensils have clean, elegant lines and a slightly tapered handle that feel timeless and would mesh well with any interior aesthetic. The serrated knife cuts chicken easily and both forks have sharp tips and smooth sides. Robert Welch also manufactures Westbury serving utensils, which can be purchased separately to complete your tablescape. 

What we didn&#;t like: The Robert Welch Westbury dinner spoon is even larger than the Caesna model&#;it may be difficult for children or people with small mouths. 

Key Specs

• Materials: Stainless steel
• Cost per piece: $9
• What&#;s included: Dinner fork, salad fork, dinner knife, dinner spoon, and a teaspoon
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe

Serious Eats / Madeline Muzzi

The Competition

FAQs

Which silverware sets don&#;t rust?

Stainless steel is our top choice because it&#;s rust-resistant. You can run stainless steel utensils through the dishwasher without worrying about discoloration and they will never require polishing. 

What does 18/10 stainless steel mean? 

The numbers refer to the material composition&#;18/10 steel is 18% chromium and 10% nickel, making it a high-grade metal. 

What's the difference between flatware and silverware?

Flatware and silverware are often used interchangeably. These terms both refer to eating utensils including forks, knives, spoons, and serveware. Technically speaking, silverware describes utensils made from silver or plated in silver while the term flatware can be applied to utensils made from a range of materials. 

How many flatware settings should you have?

The ideal number of place settings depends on the size of your household and how often you entertain. Most people will find it helpful to have at least four place settings (20 pieces), but if you plan on hosting dinner parties or have more people to feed, a 65-piece set (12 settings) should do it.

What's the best way to clean flatware?

Stainless steel flatware is dishwasher-safe. If your flatware develops any discoloration or has bits of stubborn, stuck-on food, soaking the utensils in a solution of baking soda and water will help restore their shine. 

What's the best flatware set for 12?

To serve 12 people, you'll need a 65-piece set of flatware. Our favorite 65-piece set from Lenox fits the bill. It's well-balanced with a comfortable heft in-hand.

Do you need to polish silverware?

Flatware made from real silver should be polished to be kept in good condition. But stainless steel flatware doesn't need to be polished&#;you can even put most sets in the dishwasher.

Why We&#;re the Experts

• Madeline Muzzi has over 10 years of experience as a food writer and recipe tester. 
• Madeline collects vintage silver servingware. 
• Madeline has been known to eat three soups in one meal and values spoon performance.
  
• She first tested flatware sets for Serious Eats in and recently re-tested our winners along with new options. To do so, she weighed each piece of silverware, cleaned them, and used them to eat soup, slice chicken, and fork farro salad.

Are you interested in learning more about Round Handle Stainless Steel Flatware? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!