Cutlery & Flatware

Quality designer cutlery

Investing in a quality cutlery set is easily justifiable, as they are used on a daily basis. Quality cutlery, whether it is made from stainless steel, silver, or any other material, can enrich the dining experience on a fundamental level.

Good cutlery is a sound investment that can last for generations when it is properly cared for. Here at Nordic Nest you will find a wide selection of high quality cutlery, ranging from contemporary Scandinavian designs to timeless design classics.

How to choose cutlery:

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing what cutlery to get, especially since a quality set will last you a long time. Everything from colour and design to comfort and material plays a role when choosing cutlery, and the everyday use of cutlery makes your choices all the more important.

The comfort of the cutlery

Comfort is key when choosing the right cutlery. Consider whether knives, forks and spoons will fit nicely in your hand and think about what size you will need to fit your family and occasions you wish to host.

The design of the flatware

The design and aesthetic of the cutlery you choose can enrich the dining experience. Do not be afraid of going with a classic cutlery design, as you can be sure that they will never go out of fashion. Or be bold and go for a contemporary cutlery design.

Cutlery quality

The quality of your cutlery is of key importance. A good set of quality cutlery can last an incredible amount of time. Hardanger Bestikk is a good example of a brand that offers a wide range of stainless steel cutlery of truly high quality.

Cutlery designer & brand

Brands and designers are important to take into consideration. If you already have a tableware set from Broste Copenhagen for example, consider also getting cutlery from them since that will often prove to be a perfect match. But you can of course go for a design from any brand you like, and here you have a wide range of selected quality brands to choose from.

What colour to choose for your cutlery

The colour of cutlery is worth considering. Normal stainless steel cutlery is the safe way to go, but if you want something more challenging, consider getting gold cutlery, or maybe even some other colour! 

What material is best for cutlery?

Our wide selection of flatware includes cutlery of several different materials. When choosing what cutlery to get it is crucial to consider the material of the cutlery, as it can affect how your cutlery should be used, cared for, and stored. Harder materials like stainless steel make the cutlery less susceptible to to damage, while a soft metal like silver can get damaged more easily. Read further to learn more about cutlery materials.

Stainless steel cutlery

Stainless steel is the material that most cutlery is made of, and for good reason. Stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion and damage caused by acidic food. The hardness of stainless steel also makes it more durable and less prone to getting marks and scratches.

Silver and silver plated flatware

Silver cutlery is what you use for a true fine dining experience. The soft metal requires extra care and attention, and should always be stored separately. The Swedish brand Gense has a great range of silver cutlery fitting for the most festive of occasions!

Cutlery with titanium plating

Titanium plated cutlery has an enhanced surface hardness that is even more resistant to damage and scratches. Broste Copenhagen’s cutlery series Tvis is titanium coated and comes in several different colours!

Gold plated cutlery

If you want to go extravagant you can always opt for true gold cutlery. Villeroy & Boch has a beautiful set perfect for luxurious dinners.

Mixed materials

A lot of flatware series features cutlery in stainless steel with a handle of a different material. Flatware with wooden cutlery handles is common for steak knives and BBQ cutlery. The wooden handles gives the cutlery a comfortable grip, and serves as a nice contrast to the metal. But keep in mind that some such sets need to be hand-washed as the wood can be sensitive to polonged exposure water.

Different types of cutlery:

Steak knives

Steak knives and cutlery usually feature sharper blades optimised for cutting meat. These are optimal for when you invite people over for barbeque, or when you want to enjoy a quality steak.

Dessert cutlery

Sets of dessert flatware usually consist of cutlery of smaller size. Small spoons, forks and sometimes knives perfect for enjoying a wonderful slice of cake. Some sets also include cake knives and servers.

Children’s cutlery

Children's cutlery is optimised for a kids use. The lack of sharp edges, smaller size, grip friendliness and cute colours and designs are the qualities that signify kid’s cutlery.

Starter cutlery

Starter flatware usually consists of small forks and knives perfect for appetizers and starters when you are serving a three meal course.

Serving utensils

Serving utensils are of course also cutlery, and include everything from salad servers and butter knives to cake servers and cheese knives. These all have unique properties that make them optimal for their specific use cases.

How to style with cutlery:

Here are a few tips to consider when picking out a new flatware set:

• If you have a tableware set of white porcelain with blue decorations, consider getting gold cutlery. The accent that the gold cutlery provides should perfectly complement the blue details of your tableware set. 
• Plain tableware goes well with a flatware set with detail on the handles. The detailed cutlery will complement the plain tableware nicely.
• If you want a contemporary aesthetic, consider simple cutlery designs lacking of unnecessary details. These sets will fit perfectly with any contemporary tableware set.
• Gold lined porcelain goes well with gold cutlery. The the gold lining along with the gold cutlery will make for a fancy looking table setting suitable to put on your linen tablecloth.

How to properly care for your cutlery:

In order to make sure that your cutlery lasts the longest time possible without damage, make sure to properly care for your flatware. These simple care instructions will help you preserve your cutlery:

• Avoiding cutlery stains:

Dry your cutlery with a cloth after every wash in order to make sure that water and detergent does not leave stains.

• Clean tarnished cutlery: 

Clean tarnished cutlery with a white vinegar solution. Leave your cutlery to soak in a mix of water and vinegar for 5-10 minutes and then proceed to rinse and dry off your cutlery.

• Remove streaks from cutlery: 

Use olive oil to remove streaks from your cutlery. Use a small amount of olive oil on a cloth that you use for rubbing away marks and streaks from your cutlery.

• How to wash silver cutlery: 

Wash silver cutlery separately from your other dishes and cutlery. Silver is a soft metal that gets scratches and marks easily. It is advisable that you store your silver cutlery separately for the same reason.

• Clean cutlery with wooden handles:

Wooden cutlery and flatware with wooden handles can be more sensitive to water. Therefore, we recommend washing most sets by hand. Check the care instructions of respective product page in order to be sure of how to properly care  for your products.

How to place cutlery when setting the table:

When setting a table, cutlery placement is key. Follow these principles in order to make sure that you do it correctly:

• Place forks face up to the left of the plate.
• Knives are to be placed to the right of the plate with the edge of the knife facing towards the plate.
• Spoons for soups or side dishes should be placed to the right of the plate.
• Cutlery for the main dish should always be closest to the plate, then side dishes, starters etc.
• Place dessert spoon above the plate, with the handle towards the right.

Gold cutlery for an extravagant aesthetic

If you want your table setting pop with a little bit of extra extravagance, gold cutlery is definitely the way to go. Gold cutlery goes perfectly with white porcelain, regardless of whether or not the dinnerware is clad with andy motifs or decorations. Gold cutlery is a perfect break from the silver coloured flatware norm.