Kitchen

[Leeni]

I've been researching flatware companies because I am in the market for a new set of 18/10. What I've found is the following:

The "big name" flatware makers of former years, i.e. oneida, reed and barton, lenox, wallace etc were of better quality and previously made in the USA. The majors have all since moved production overseas and much has been written on the net about their decline in quality, even for replacement items. Recently, a company in upsate NY purchased the old oneida plant and began producing flatware, under the name Liberty, Sherrill manufacturing. The patterns are striking and the quality is supposedly excellent. It is supposedly made in small runs several times a year. The plant employees 25-50 locals. But it is pricier than other korean (and other) made flatware.

Frankly, I was annoyed at the marketing for Lenox, "American Designed" and after further research believe it to be borderline deceptive. It may very well be the china and flatware used in the White House, at state dinners, but I bet it was purchased when the company was still producing in the USA. What's so special about the design being done in the US? In my opinion, it's the manufacturing that makes the difference!

[debic]

It doesn't say but most Lenox flatware is made in Vietnam.

R&B has been made in China for as long as I can remember. 20+ years. That's how old mine is. It's as good as the day I bought it.

[DebPA3]

"Recently, a company in upsate NY purchased the old oneida plant and began producing flatware, under the name Liberty, Sherrill manufacturing. The patterns are striking and the quality is supposedly excellent. It is supposedly made in small runs several times a year. The plant employees 25-50 locals. But it is pricier than other korean (and other) made flatware."

THANK YOU for the head's up for a company that sources materials and produces products in the USA! I did some digging on the web, and their story is a great one. We need to replace our kitchen flatware in the near future, and they'll be getting our business. They have an online website.

[MathisFan]

Yes, leeni, a definite thanks for making us aware of a company that produces flatware in the USA! WTG Liberty!

Love the "Pearl" pattern. Hope to make a purchase soon.

[Boehm Collector]

On 4/2/2014 dfyre said:

Hmmmm - I do love it. Maybe I could use my "dining room" set for the kitchen and use this for "good." My kitchen flatware was "purchased" with Betty Crocker coupons back when I was in college in the '60's and is missing a lot of pieces, so maybe it's time for a change. Have always hated silver and returned every silver wedding gift I received - who wants to polish it? My mom had a set that she wanted to give me (my older sister had her own) but I convinced her to give it to my nephew's fiancé - figured she couldn't turn it down - lol. The only silver I own is four silver goblets one of my cats won at a show years ago - they are black now and I keep thinking I should polish them . . . .

First of all, I have a Reed and Barton 18/10 flatware set. I have been using it for years and it looks brand new. So I would imagine that Lenox should be just as good. My Mom lovingly put together a silver set for me. On birthdays and Christmas she would give me and two of my cousins a place setting. She eventually also got me all the serving pieces. I have never used it but know that it is now worth a considerable amount of money. When my mother passed away she had a considerable amount of sterling silver pieces. I know I hate to polish silver but kept some for their sentimental value. But decided to sell all the others in an Estate Sale... one being a three piece sterling silver teapot set. A childhood friend of mine asked if she could come to my Mom's house to see it one more time before I sold it because it held so many happy memories for her. When she saw all the sterling silver pieces... especially the set.... and found out that I was selling them she told me I was crazy if I parted with them. She convinced me to keep most of them. Some time later I googled some of my Mom's pieces. I discovered that the teapot set alone is now worth almost $4000.00. Do I hate to polish silver....absolutely. But when I think of how valuable the pieces are I am so glad I kept them.

[debic]

@Boehm Collector, that's awesome. Tarnished silver has a certain charm when displayed. I have a cool bowl that I've never polished and love the look.

[faeriemoon]

On 4/2/2014 Orchids4me said:

I know Costco has had an 18/10 silverware service for 12 for $90. Can't remember if it was Lennox or not.

I had the TSV (the Brentwood pattern) in and out of my cart all day. Something made me hold out because I knew I could find a better deal at Costco. I also didn't need things like sporks and iced tea spoons, and I really didn't need steak knives either.

Yesterday we were at Costco and I found exactly what I was looking for. It's Reed and Barton (Crescendo pattern) and it was at a reduced price of $69 for a service for 12. It has just the pieces I need plus a 5 piece hostess set, and the pattern blends perfectly with another Reed and Barton set I already have. (I like to mix flatware so I like it to coordinate.)

Forgot to mention; it's 18/10.

The TSV was beautiful if you want all those pieces, but I didn't need them. Glad I waited.

[debic]

On 4/7/2014 faeriemoon said:

On 4/2/2014 Orchids4me said:

I know Costco has had an 18/10 silverware service for 12 for $90. Can't remember if it was Lennox or not.

I had the TSV (the Brentwood pattern) in and out of my cart all day. Something made me hold out because I knew I could find a better deal at Costco. I also didn't need things like sporks and iced tea spoons, and I really didn't need steak knives either.

Yesterday we were at Costco and I found exactly what I was looking for. It's Reed and Barton (Crescendo pattern) and it was at a reduced price of $69 for a service for 12. It has just the pieces I need plus a 5 piece hostess set, and the pattern blends perfectly with another Reed and Barton set I already have. (I like to mix flatware so I like it to coordinate.)

Forgot to mention; it's 18/10.

The TSV was beautiful if you want all those pieces, but I didn't need them. Glad I waited.

Can't go wrong with R&B 18/10. I broke down and ordered this. My niece will be getting my R&B

[faeriemoon]

On 4/7/2014 debc said:

On 4/7/2014 faeriemoon said:

On 4/2/2014 Orchids4me said:

I know Costco has had an 18/10 silverware service for 12 for $90. Can't remember if it was Lennox or not.

I had the TSV (the Brentwood pattern) in and out of my cart all day. Something made me hold out because I knew I could find a better deal at Costco. I also didn't need things like sporks and iced tea spoons, and I really didn't need steak knives either.

Yesterday we were at Costco and I found exactly what I was looking for. It's Reed and Barton (Crescendo pattern) and it was at a reduced price of $69 for a service for 12. It has just the pieces I need plus a 5 piece hostess set, and the pattern blends perfectly with another Reed and Barton set I already have. (I like to mix flatware so I like it to coordinate.)

Forgot to mention; it's 18/10.

The TSV was beautiful if you want all those pieces, but I didn't need them. Glad I waited.

Can't go wrong with R&B 18/10. I broke down and ordered this. My niece will be getting my R&B

I think you'll love it. The quality looked excellent.

[debic]

On 4/7/2014 faeriemoon said:

On 4/7/2014 debc said:

On 4/7/2014 faeriemoon said:

On 4/2/2014 Orchids4me said:

I know Costco has had an 18/10 silverware service for 12 for $90. Can't remember if it was Lennox or not.

I had the TSV (the Brentwood pattern) in and out of my cart all day. Something made me hold out because I knew I could find a better deal at Costco. I also didn't need things like sporks and iced tea spoons, and I really didn't need steak knives either.

Yesterday we were at Costco and I found exactly what I was looking for. It's Reed and Barton (Crescendo pattern) and it was at a reduced price of $69 for a service for 12. It has just the pieces I need plus a 5 piece hostess set, and the pattern blends perfectly with another Reed and Barton set I already have. (I like to mix flatware so I like it to coordinate.)

Forgot to mention; it's 18/10.

The TSV was beautiful if you want all those pieces, but I didn't need them. Glad I waited.

Can't go wrong with R&B 18/10. I broke down and ordered this. My niece will be getting my R&B

I think you'll love it. The quality looked excellent.

I hope so. My niece will be happy. I have a set of 12 now with all the extras. I need those. LOL