Cutlery (also referred to as silverware, flatware, or tableware) includes any hand Tool used in preparing, serving, and especially eating Human food in Western culture. A person who makes or sells cutlery is called a cutler.["Cutlery." DBpedia. Accessed May 5, 2025.]
While most cutlers were historically men, women could be cutlers too; Agnes Cotiller was working as a cutler in London in 1346, and training a woman apprentice, known as Juseana.
The city of Sheffield in England has been famous for the production of cutlery since the 17th century and a train – the Master Cutler – running from Sheffield to London was named after the industry.
Etymology
The word cutler derives from the
Middle English word 'cuteler' and this in turn derives from
Old French 'coutelier' which comes from 'coutel'; meaning knife (modern French: couteau).
[The Sheffield Knife Book, Geoffrey Tweedale, The Hallamshire press, 1996, ] The word's early origins can be seen in the Latin word 'culter' (knife).
Composition
Metallic
Sterling silver is the
traditional material from which good quality cutlery is made. Historically, silver had the advantage over other metals of being less chemically reactive. Chemical reactions between certain foods and the cutlery metal can lead to unpleasant tastes. Gold is even less reactive than silver, but the use of gold cutlery was confined to the exceptionally wealthy, such as monarchs.
Steel was always used for more utilitarian knives, and pewter was used for some cheaper items, especially spoons. From the nineteenth century, electroplated nickel silver (EPNS) was used as a cheaper substitute for sterling silver.
In 1913, the British metallurgist Harry Brearley discovered stainless steel by chance, bringing affordable cutlery to the masses.
Titanium has also been used to make cutlery for its lower thermal conductivity and weight savings compared to steel, with uses in camping.
Plastic
Plastic cutlery is made for
disposable use, and is frequently used outdoors for
camping,
, and
for instance. Plastic cutlery is also commonly used at
fast food or
take-away outlets and provided with
in economy class.
Plastic is also used for children's cutlery. It is often thicker and more durable than disposable plastic cutlery.
Plastic cutlery has been banned in Australia but has outbursts from the public wanting it back, this is why you might see a fast food chain selling wooden cutlery and another selling plastic utensils
Wooden
Wooden disposable cutlery is available as a popular
biodegradable alternative. Bamboo (although not a wood) and maple are popular choices.
Edible
Edible cutlery is made from dried grains.
These are made primarily with rice, millets or wheat. Since rice cultivation needs a lot of water, manufacturers market millet based products as more environment friendly. The batter is baked in moulds which hardens it. Some manufacturers offer an option of flavoured cutlery. Edible cutlery decomposes in about a week if disposed.
Industry
At Sheffield the trade of cutler became divided, with allied trades such as
,
bradawl bladesmith, shearsmith and forkmaker emerging and becoming distinct trades by the 18th century.
Before the mid 19th century when cheap carbon steel became available due to new methods of steelmaking, knives (and other edged tools) were made by welding a strip of steel on to the piece of wrought iron that was to be formed into a knife, or sandwiching a strip of steel between two pieces of iron. This was done because steel was then a much more expensive commodity than iron. Modern blades are sometimes laminated, but for a different reason. Since the hardest steel is brittle, a layer of hard steel may be laid between two layers of a milder, less brittle steel, for a blade that keeps a sharp edge well, and is less likely to break in service.
After fabrication, the knife had to be sharpened, originally on a grindstone, but from the late medieval period in a blade mill or (as they were known in the Sheffield region) a cutlers wheel.
Disposable cutlery
Plastic
Introduced for
convenience purposes (lightweight, no cleanup after the meal required),
disposable cutlery made of
plastic has become a huge worldwide market.
Along with other disposable tableware (paper plates, plastic table covers,
,
, etc.), these products have become essential for the
fast food and
catering industry. The products are emblematic of throw-away societies and the cause of millions of tons of non-biodegradable
plastic waste.
The European Union has banned such plastic products from 3 July 2021 as part of the European Plastics Strategy.
Bans are also planned in the UK and Canada.
Wooden
As an ecofriendly alternative to non-degradable plastic, wooden cutlery is gaining popularity. Some manufacturers coat their products in food-safe plant oils, waxes and lemon juice for a longer shelf life making these safe for human use. Cutlery is then cured for a few days before leaving the manufacturing plant.
Manufacturing centres
Traditional centres of cutlery-making include:
See also
Further reading
-
Hey, D. The Fiery Blades of Hallamshire: Sheffield and Its Neighbourhood, 1660–1740 (Leicester University Press 1991). 193–140.
-
Lloyd, G. I. H. The Cutlery Trades: An Historical Essay in the Economics of Small Scale Production. (1913; repr. 1968).
External links
