Who manufactures sterling silverware and silver flatware

Stainless Steel Flatware - Who Makes This Stuff

Some of my friends have asked me where to get stainless flatware that is made in the USA. Well, since Oneida closed their factory in 2005, nobody. It's all imported. Yes, there are some very small boutique manufacturers who still make flatware in the USA, but to me it seems more like a hobby for them. So, for now, you're stuck with flatware made in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Korea, Japan, and a little from France.

I'm only covering the top manufacturers, and ignoring the department store house brands, as well as a few direct importers who don't have a long track record. To spare you an exhaustive list and histories, I'm keeping the descriptions really short, and limiting each to the strengths of each manufacturer. This page is already too long in my opinion.

Cambridge is found in a lot of large stores, such as Crate & Barrel, Target, etc. Most of their patterns are sold in boxed sets for reasonable prices, but forget about replacing that lost spoon unless you want to buy another complete set. Prices average about $5 to $10 per place setting. Couzon specializes in the traditional European size and design, and most patterns are still made in France. Very well balanced, and a lot of care is given to fork tine shapes and smooth bowl edges. Prices run about $50 to $75 per place setting.
. Dansk specializes in Scandinavian styles. They offer both economical boxed sets, and "bridal" patterns which are only sold by the place setting. Prices average about $7 to $45 per place setting.
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Gorham is a leader of stainless flatware, and many of the other manufacturers follow their lead. Their boxed sets are among the best value in the industry, and their "bridal" patterns set the standard for good quality. Prices average about $15 to $45 per place setting.

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Lenox Brands is the parent company of Gorham, and the Lenox stainless flatware patterns are intended to be the next step above Gorham's quality. Prices average about $20 to $55 per place setting.
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Oneida is the most recognizable brand, thanks to years of alternative marketing outlets like the Betty Crocker catalog. Oneida was the last manufacturer to cease manufacturing in the USA, but they still have some contract work done by their former employees. Prices range from $5 to $55 per place setting.

Reed & Barton is privately held, and they state that their goal is to worry more about quality than forever chasing the lowest price. Prices average about $20 to $45 per place setting.
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Ricci isn't as well known as most of the other brands on this page, but they distinguish themselves by making the highest quality stainless flatware possible. Well-shaped bowls, very high quality carbon-steel blades, and attention to the smallest details such as the smoothness between the fork tines. Expect to pay about $50 to $75 per place setting. Towle Silversmiths is the oldest of the companies listed here, tracing their roots to 1690. However, none of their stainless flatware pattern designs are older than 50 years. Currently owned by Lifetime Brands, Towle is trying to reinvent itself with better quality stainless again, and get away from the $100 boxed set. Expect to pay between $25 and $55 per place setting.

Doesn't this lady make wedding dresses? Yes, but a few years ago, Vera Wang licensed her name to flatware, dishes, crystal, and silver gift items. They're all very high quality, and are now made by Wedgwood. Good stuff, unique designs, but expect to pay about $65 per place setting. Wallace Silversmiths is also owned by Lifetime Brands (like Towle Silversmiths), and focuses almost exclusively on better quality boxed sets. It can be difficult to find individual pieces, though. Expect to pay between $5 and $20 per place setting (on average). Waterford is primarily known for their crystal (of course), and they began making stainless flatware several years ago. Well, they don't make it, Reed & Barton does, but it is very good stuff. Expect to pay abut $55 per place setting.

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Cambridge is found in a lot of large stores, such as Crate & Barrel, Target, etc. Most of their patterns are sold in boxed sets for reasonable prices, but forget about replacing that lost spoon unless you want to buy another complete set. Prices average about $5 to $10 per place setting.	Couzon specializes in the traditional European size and design, and most patterns are still made in France. Very well balanced, and a lot of care is given to fork tine shapes and smooth bowl edges. Prices run about $50 to $75 per place setting. .	Dansk specializes in Scandinavian styles. They offer both economical boxed sets, and "bridal" patterns which are only sold by the place setting. Prices average about $7 to $45 per place setting. . .



Gorham is a leader of stainless flatware, and many of the other manufacturers follow their lead. Their boxed sets are among the best value in the industry, and their "bridal" patterns set the standard for good quality. Prices average about $15 to $45 per place setting. .	Lenox Brands is the parent company of Gorham, and the Lenox stainless flatware patterns are intended to be the next step above Gorham's quality. Prices average about $20 to $55 per place setting. . . .. .	Oneida is the most recognizable brand, thanks to years of alternative marketing outlets like the Betty Crocker catalog. Oneida was the last manufacturer to cease manufacturing in the USA, but they still have some contract work done by their former employees. Prices range from $5 to $55 per place setting.


Reed & Barton is privately held, and they state that their goal is to worry more about quality than forever chasing the lowest price. Prices average about $20 to $45 per place setting. . .. . . .	Ricci isn't as well known as most of the other brands on this page, but they distinguish themselves by making the highest quality stainless flatware possible. Well-shaped bowls, very high quality carbon-steel blades, and attention to the smallest details such as the smoothness between the fork tines. Expect to pay about $50 to $75 per place setting.	Towle Silversmiths is the oldest of the companies listed here, tracing their roots to 1690. However, none of their stainless flatware pattern designs are older than 50 years. Currently owned by Lifetime Brands, Towle is trying to reinvent itself with better quality stainless again, and get away from the $100 boxed set. Expect to pay between $25 and $55 per place setting.


Doesn't this lady make wedding dresses? Yes, but a few years ago, Vera Wang licensed her name to flatware, dishes, crystal, and silver gift items. They're all very high quality, and are now made by Wedgwood. Good stuff, unique designs, but expect to pay about $65 per place setting.	Wallace Silversmiths is also owned by Lifetime Brands (like Towle Silversmiths), and focuses almost exclusively on better quality boxed sets. It can be difficult to find individual pieces, though. Expect to pay between $5 and $20 per place setting (on average).	Waterford is primarily known for their crystal (of course), and they began making stainless flatware several years ago. Well, they don't make it, Reed & Barton does, but it is very good stuff. Expect to pay abut $55 per place setting.