Stainless Steel Is Not a Single Material
When we talk about stainless steel flatware, we are actually referring to several alloys with distinct properties. The most common grade in high-end products is 18/10: 18% chromium and 10% nickel. Chromium ensures resistance to oxidation, while nickel provides shine and enhances protection against corrosion, especially from food acids and dishwasher detergents. This is the reference alloy for flatware intended for intensive daily use.
18/0 eliminates nickel. Less expensive and slightly duller, it is also less resistant to corrosion in the long term. It is suitable for moderate use but is not the alloy of choice for flatware intended to last twenty years.
AISI 430 is a ferritic stainless steel with 17% chromium, without nickel. Its resistance is decent under normal conditions, but it remains sensitive to aggressive environments. It is often found in entry-level segments.
For table flatware purchased with the intention of keeping it — and passing it down — 18/10 is the only rational choice.
Finish: What the Surface Says About Flatware
The finish is not just a matter of aesthetics. It also determines maintenance, visual durability, and behavior in use.
Glossy finishes are achieved by high-luster polishing. Elegant, they reflect table light and are suitable for classic table settings. Their drawback: they more easily show fingerprints and limescale. Satin finishes, achieved by fine brushing, reduce these marks and age better over time. This is often the preferred finish for those who use their flatware every day.
PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) finishes are of a different nature. This process deposits a thin layer of material — gold, black, bronze — onto the metal by vacuum evaporation. The result is a dense, homogeneous color, resistant to wear and corrosion. It is not paint, nor a classic galvanic plating: the bond is molecular. Flatware treated this way is dishwasher safe, without losing its color or flaking, provided suitable programs are used.
The Intuition Laguiole Heritage by TB-1648 collection perfectly illustrates this diversity of finishes: the handles are available in Glossy, Satin, Black, Gold, and Bronze. Five expressions of the same object, to adapt to radically different tables.
Weight, Balance, and Feel in Hand
Flatware is also judged by how it feels in the hand. Weight is not an absolute value: a table knife that is too light lacks presence, too heavy it causes fatigue. What matters is the distribution of mass between the blade and the handle — the balance. A good piece of flatware should feel natural to hold, without effort to adapt.
Low-end flatware often has hollow handles, which reduces weight at minimal cost but degrades the feel. Solid flatware, crafted from full steel bars or sheets, has a density that is immediately perceptible. This is a reliable indicator of manufacturing quality.
The Intuition Laguiole Heritage table knife, available individually for EUR 4.90 or in a set of 4 starting from EUR 19, incorporates the codes of the Laguiole knife — bolster, spring — in a sober and contemporary table version. The 6-knife set with block for EUR 24.90 allows for creating a complete service.
Dishwasher and Durability: What You Need to Know
The question consistently arises: is this flatware dishwasher safe? The answer depends on the alloy, the finish, and the washing conditions. For stainless steel, resistance is good for the vast majority of models. PVD finishes are dishwasher safe, but some precautions are necessary: avoid prolonged high-temperature programs, do not leave wet flatware waiting in a closed appliance, and avoid ultra-abrasive detergents. Wood or olive wood handles are exceptions — hand washing is mandatory to preserve the material.
The TB Collection range includes flatware sets designed in France, available in a variety of aesthetic universes. Arabesque plays on textured surfaces and reflections, available in Mirror, Matte Black, or Champagne. Chambord offers a more assertive line with PVD colors (Black, Champagne, Copper). Popeline and Ecorce cover a contemporary style with a refined finish.
For tables seeking the warmth of natural materials, Laguiole Sens Olivier integrates olive wood handles for a 16-piece flatware set at EUR 69.90.
Choosing your flatware means balancing aesthetics, use, and lifespan. A well-finished, balanced stainless steel with a finish suited to your table: this is an item you only buy once.
