Buying cutlery online: how to find the right cutlery
- Table cutlery vs. serving cutlery
- Cutlery at a glance
- Laying cutlery correctly
- Cutlery set - the right size
- Ergonomics
- Material and colors
- Care
- Conclusion
1. Table cutlery - what is it actually?
Table cutlery or cutlery refers to cutlery that is used to eat food. Table cutlery is set for each person at the table.
In contrast, there is serving cutlery , which is used for serving and portioning food, for example. This includes salad servers, cake servers and knives, sauce spoons, jam and honey spoons and sugar spoons.
2. Table cutlery at a glance
Classic cutlery consists of a knife, a fork with four tines, a soup spoon and a teaspoon .
There may also be a small dessert or cake fork with three prongs. The left-hand prong of the cake fork is usually wider and more stable, making it easier to cut a cake by pressing it.
Further cutlery at a glance
Butter knife : Knife with a smooth cutting edge and rounded tip, which is often widened. This makes it suitable for picking up butter and spreading it on a slice of bread.
Fish knife : Knife with a wide blade without an edge. The blunt blade enables fish to be cut without cutting the bones. Alternatively, two forks can be used.
Fish fork : Fork with four widely spaced tines and a short but wide front section. This allows the liquid to drip off the fish more easily.
Latte spoon : Long-handled spoon for stirring drinks that are served in narrow, tall glasses.
Steak knife : Knife with a narrow, sharp, tapered blade that curves slightly upwards. The blade, which is usually 12 cm long, is also available with a serrated or serrated edge. This means that the steak meat is cut rather than torn when chopping.
3. Place cutlery correctly
When setting the table, the question arises as to how to lay the cutlery correctly. You can see an exemplary cutlery arrangement in the following diagram.
1. Menu fork | 2. Menu knife | 3. Soup spoon | 4. Teaspoon/ dessert spoon | 5. Fish fork | 6. Fish knife | 7. Cake fork | 8. Bread knife | 9. Dessert fork/ starter fork | 10. Dessert knife/ starter knife
When eating, cutlery is used from the outside in . For this reason, cutlery should be placed in such a way that the items that are used first are on the outside.
The soup spoon is used with the right hand and is placed on the right side of the plate (3). The knives are also used with the right hand and therefore also belong on the right side of the plate (2, 6, 10). The cutting edge is placed towards the inside of the plate.
The forks are placed on the left (9, 5, 1) with the tines facing upwards. Bread plates and knives (8) are placed on the outside of the left-hand row of cutlery.
The cutlery for dessert is placed above the plate (7, 4). The cake fork is placed with the handle on the left and the handle of the dessert spoon on the right.
For more ideas on how to decorate a table or set a festive table for Christmas , see the Connox guide.
4. Table cutlery set - scope and size
How many pieces does a cutlery set consist of?
The more cutlery you need, the more you need, depending on how many courses you want to serve. For a menu with several courses, more cutlery is needed.
In the basic version, a 4-piece cutlery set for one person consists of a knife, a soup spoon, a fork and a teaspoon . A 5-piece set also includes a dessert or cake fork.
Choose the size of the set according to the number of people . Ask yourself how often and for how many people the cutlery is intended.
For 4 people, choose a 16-piece set. A 24-piece or 30-piece cutlery set is suitable for 6 people and is the option if you have a manageable number of family and friends. If you like to invite guests and serve several courses on public holidays, choose a cutlery set for 12 people, which contains 48 pieces . Alternatively, it is a good idea to buy two 24-piece cutlery sets.
In general, designer cutlery sets from a series can often be extended with individual products at a later date , such as the cutlery from the mono-a collection .
For children there are extra children's cutlery sets , which are adapted for small children's hands.
5. Ergonomics
In addition to the look, good handling is important. The cutlery should have a design that fits well in the hand and you should have a firm grip. The weight of the cutlery should also be well balanced and not too light or too heavy.
Good cutlery has no sharp edges - it must be deburred, sharp edges have already been removed during production. Only the knife blade should be thinly ground to sharpen the cutting edge.
6. Material and cutlery colors
Before buying, pay attention to the design of the existing tableware so that the tableware and cutlery harmonize well on the dining table .
Black cutlery (1) is a statement on the table and stands for a simple, clear and sober design.
Designer cutlery that is matt, brushed or hammered (2) brings boho chic style to the dining table.
Cutlery in gold or rosé (3) adds a glamorous highlight to the festive table.
Stainless steel cutlery is one of the most popular materials. Cutlery made of stainless steel, silver and titanium (4) is timeless, elegant and always modern.
"Modern cutlery in gold or black enhances the everyday table setting or makes plain white tableware look glamorous. Unusual cutlery colors can also be used to complement dishes with a handmade character in an exciting way." - Viktoria, interior design expert
7. Care
A high-quality cutlery set does not have to be kept for special occasions, but can also be used for everyday use. However, everyday cutlery should be dishwasher-safe and robust .
Pay particular attention to the marking : This should always be 18/10 for stainless steel cutlery . This means that the stainless steel consists of 18% chromium and 10% nickel and is therefore dishwasher-safe, rustproof and tasteless . High-quality cutlery pays off.
Tip: To further prevent flash rust, a piece of aluminum foil can be placed in the dishwasher.
Make sure you take the cutlery out of the dishwasher after the wash cycle and dry it. A cutlery tray is used to neatly store high-quality cutlery.
8. Conclusion
- A cutlery set for one person consists of a dinner knife, soup spoon, fork and teaspoon. A 5-piece set also includes a dessert or cake fork.
- Choose the size of the set according to the number of people: a 16-piece set is suitable for 4 people, a 24-piece set for 6 people and a 48-piece cutlery set for 12 people.
- The cutlery should fit comfortably in the hand and the weight should be balanced for a secure grip without any effort.
- For everyday cutlery in particular, you should choose cutlery made of 18/10 stainless steel, as the material is dishwasher-safe and rustproof.
Buy designer cutlery online at Connox - your advantages at a glance
- High-quality cutlery - originals from the top designer brands
- Climate-neutral online shopping
- Personal support from our customer service
- Fair shipping costs
- Secure payment thanks to SSL encryption
- Only 1 - 2 working days delivery time
Shopping advice at Connox
Would you like to buy cutlery online, but need help? Feel free to contact our customer service team at at any time. We are here to help you with your purchase, provide recommendations and can quickly answer any questions you may have. You can then have your desired item conveniently delivered directly to your home.