What is Cutlery? It is the name derived from the term “Cutler” who is a person skilled in making knives. Any hand utensil used to prepare, serve and to eat food is defined as Cutlery.



There used be a train called "Master Cutler" which was running between London Marylebone and Sheffield – centre of cutlery manufacture in England during the 1950 and late 1960s. The Americans call their cutlery, silverware or tableware which includes assorted knives and cutting instruments most of them made in silver.

The term cutlery includes fork, knife and spoon. Traditional cutlery of good quality was made from silver even though steel was used for more utilitarian knives. Cheaper cutlery was made from pewter – especially spoons.

Twentieth century saw stainless steel and plastic being replaced by the electroplated nickel silver (EPNS) used in the nineteenth century as a cheaper substitute for silver cutlery. Plastic cutlery is favored and used by airlines, fast food and takeaway for the food provided by them.

Knork (knife and fork) Spork (spoon and fork) are the fancy names for utensils having combined functions.

In the middle ages cutlery trade was given greater importance. London Livery Company had one group named as Worshipful Company of Cutlers reflecting the importance of this trade.

A collection of seven to eight kitchen knives form a cutlery set. They may also include steak knives but the foundation of a traditional cutlery set is the knives used for food preparation. A cutlery set may cost as little as $40 and as high as $800 or more which comprises of chef’s knife, utility knife, paring knife, bread knife, cleaver, carving knife, santoku knife, boning knife, kitchen shear and a honing rod to straighten the edges of the knives.

Upkeep of the cutlery is by washing them immediately after use and drying. Store them in a place which is beyond the reach of children. Dry your cutlery immediately, and then put away your knives so that your kitchen is as safe as possible. The best place to store cutlery is in a knife block or with each knife in its own sheath. If you place all your knives in one silverware drawer, they will likely harm each other as they knock each other.

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