posted 12-07-2003 07:47 AM            

Greetings, we're a young-ish couple that is looking into purchasing their first set of sterling flatware.

We visited a store yesterday with all the Gohram, Wallace, Towle, etc. patterns one could ever hope for. Upon further research, we understand that these newer mintings are done mostly in Malaysia and are of suspect quality. We would appreciate any opinions on this statement.

Likewise we currently researching silversmiths and handwrought pieces. I've come across 2 on the net that look interesting.

Paul Erickson - www.ericksonsilver.com
ONC - www.silvercrafters.com

Does anyone have any experience with these persons/company? Are there others you might recommend?

Thanks,
Matt

posted 12-07-2003 11:09 AM            

Your observations about poor quality from many of the larger commercial manufacturers seem to be generally correct, unfortunately. Their modern pieces are often considerably lighter and less well defined.

Modern silver is also often considerably more expensive than antique! Depending on your tastes and the style you are looking for, you might consider looking for an older set.

posted 12-07-2003 12:05 PM            

Welcome to the Silver Salon Forum's. It is so nice to hear that a "young-ish couple" is looking to purchase a sterling flatware set. We hope this becomes a trend. The last few generations have drifted away from sterling silver flatware. Mostly because of some misconceptions.

• Silverplate is a lot less expensive than sterling. True, when you first purchase. But over time if silverplate is used / polished too often then the thin coating of pure silver will wear away. So buyers of silverplate tend to pack it away and only use it for very special occasions. Worn silverplate doesn't hold its value.

• Sterling (or Silverplate) must be regularly polished or it will tarnish. Not true. All you need to do is use your sterling silver every day. Use different pieces so that each piece gets handled on a regular basis. The handling and the regular washing with soap and water will keep your silver looking beautiful. If your set is very large then it might be hard to regularly use each piece. Just wash the unused items once a week. With regular washing with soap & water and your sterling will never (almost never) need to be polished again. The exception: sulfur causes tarnish in silver. So foods with high sulfur content (like egg yolks) if not washed promptly may cause some tarnishing.

• Sterling cannot be put in the dishwasher. Not true. Solid silver items can be safely put into your dish washer. The are a few guidelines that will insure all goes well. Don't put your silver in the washer with stainless steel. It is best to hand wash the hollow handled items. The heat from the dishwasher can cause the fill in the handles to expand and split/separate the handle. Note: In some areas, the water supply can have a very high sulfur content. So your only choice will be to find a clean water source (bottled/distilled water).

I am sure other forum members will want to add to the above.

I generally understand the economic reasons why today's large silver smithing companies have gone offshore. Unfortunately the end product is not as well made. The art and great craftsmanship of the old mass producers has pretty much been lost. For example, look at an old original piece of the Love Disarmed next to one that was produced recently. It doesn't take an expert to see the difference. The older item stands out because of the skill and artistry of the old makers. The old silversmiths and their abilities no longer exist within the few remaining great old mass producers.

ONC was once a very large producer of fine handcrafted silver. Today they are very much smaller but still producing some of the highest quality silver this country has to offer. Each silversmith at ONC started as an apprentice to another ONC silversmith and learned their craft in the time honored and proven way. We recently visited ONC and found that they are still making excellent quality hand crafted silver. But it was clear that the business will not survive because there were only very senior smiths there still loving producing the silver but there wasn't an apprentice to be found anywhere.

I would like to encourage you to purchase sterling, old or new. I think buying from ONC, Erickson or any other handcrafted silversmith will be a rewarding experience. If you do purchase new handcrafted silver, I would also encourage you to visit the smith's shop. We loved our visit to ONC (click here).

posted 12-07-2003 12:10 PM            

You make a valid point about the manufacture of mass produced sterling today. Gorham just recently closed their production facility in Rhode Island where silver had been produced for over 100 years. Production is now done offshore for economic reasons. Gorham has gone through much turmoil over the last few decades being bought and sold by one conglomerate after another. This is all symptomatic of the trend away from sterling by the buying public. In a shrinking market, a producer must make some difficult decisions like offshore production. But Gorham, Tuttle, Lunt, Reed & Barton, Wallace and others are still producing and for that they deserve our support.

Still, there is nothing like a fine handmade piece of silver. ONC and Erickson produce silver the old fashioned way. See our post on our tour of ONC. Handmade silver, though, can be more costly than mass produced silver for obvious reasons. If you can afford the handmade silver, you shouldn't hesitate to commission a set right now because these shops are also a dying breed. If budget constraints exist, you might consider starting out with a mass produced contemporary set and trading up in the future. Even the contemporary mass produced sterling flatware has intrinsic value and the way global economies are developing, even mass production of sterling may cease at some point. Then there is the option of buying antique silver. Although it doesn't support current producers, you can get some gorgeous silver although it could be a challenge to find a complete set of what you want, but we see this as a welcome challenge.

Whatever you decide, we applaud your interest in silver and stand ready to help in your search for the silver service that is right for you. You may want to take a look at some of the sterling flatware patterns that have and/or are still being made. Depending on where you are located, your local library may have some pattern books or you can talk to local antique dealers - another dying breed thanks to Ebay. The local dealer can provide you a chance to see and handle some silver. Sterling flatware is visual and well as tactile. A piece may look great, but when you hold it, it may be disappointingly lightweight or just uncomfortable to use. Likewise, a piece may have a very simple, unimposing look, but when you hold it, it feels so great you can't put it down.

posted 12-07-2003 01:07 PM            

The one thing we noticed with the Wallace's and Towle's we held yesterday was the weight. It just seemed really paltry in our hands. As we're still new at all this, what's the average weight of a dinner fork or spoon in sterling? What are some of the heavier brands available? Like a good writing utensil, I really enjoy holding a substantive piece of flatware during mealtime.

Also when they say hollow handle v/s solid handle, I'm assuming it's solid with silver and not something like lead? Hopefully this is correct?

And were these 2 places I mentioned pretty much all that's available in hand wrought production here in the states? hopefully not

Thanks,
Matt

posted 12-07-2003 05:50 PM            

I buy and sell silver for a living (25 years)
and if I may make a few suggestions about the sterling silver that the two of you are going to buy:

1. Buy what you like. You are going to have to live with your choice a long time so be choosy. Does the silver feel comfortable when you hold it?.. Is it easy to pick up? Do you like how it looks?

   I recommend to my clients that they purchase one or two teaspoons in a few patterns they like and use them every day. Return the ones you do not care for as much, and buy more of the set that makes you smile.

2. Having a set of silver is like owning a really nice car. It is best used every day.

3. The really wonderful thing about the two makers you are looking at is that when their silver comes up at auctions, both on and off the web, it usually brings less then half of what the retailer is asking for it.

Respectfully,
Marc Cutcher

posted 12-07-2003 06:13 PM            

A hollow handle is used on a luncheon or dinner knife (and on some other pieces) and is not solid silver. That would make it way to heavy (as would lead). The hollow portion can be filled with pitch (older pieces) or with a cement like substance (newer pieces).

Substantial silver and "handling" are very important as you say. You may want to look at
all of the older (pre 1950) pieces made by Tiffany, and several of the European and English makers including George Jensen, James Robinson, and Christoffle. Each of these makers have very substantial dinner sizes and they all have excellent reputations.

If there are any Antiques show in your area, you might want to take a look and see what the venders have. Scott Martin (our fearless leader) could probably direct you to shows in your area of the country.

Happy to help,

Respectfully,

Marc Cutcher

Chances are that you will want Dinner size in any pattern, because they weigh more.

posted 12-07-2003 06:25 PM            

Thanks,
Matt

posted 12-08-2003 12:32 AM            

There is a show January 9th, 10th and 11th, at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, VA. 2 large buildings and probably 4 major silver dealers will be there. It is a good place to start. The name of the show is the "DC Big Flea". Phone # for more information is 757-430-4735

As Bob and Carol have said, the biggest silver show in your area is the "Baltimore Summer Antiques festival. This is the "silver show"
and there are at least 40 pattern matchers in the 500 dealer show and somewhere around 2000 sets of sterling silver flatware offered. The date is usually around Labor Day. You can call the promoters at 301-924-5002 and ask them when it will be this year.

Thanks again

Marc