After a month and a half in a rented house in Florida where the flatware came from the dollar store, I am glad to come home to nice flatware. When my original set was missing too many pieces I looked for a set with rounded spoons. I lean towards modern so I bought the Rondure design from Dansk. I later learned that what I was looking for was a gumbo spoon and I could have bought sterling silver for the price I paid for the Dansk set. But I do love it. The knife is shown sideways in the picture, it actually rests on the edge of the blade when set properly. During a dinner party a young friend told me he and his fiance had looked at this design when they registered for wedding gifts, but decided it was a little too cool for them. For large family gatherings I use a double set I bought at Costco, made by Langostina. It was inexpensive and it is a classic design - almost the same as the Birk's Saxon / York silverware that came from my husband's family. That is reserved for special occasions, like dinners for two or four.
The Miele dishwasher has a cutlery tray that takes very good care of your cutlery. I even wash silverware in it, as each piece is individually placed and doesn't all bash together during a wash. I thought it might be a pain to load, but it isn't.
I keep a good ice cream scoop in the cutlery drawer, and a flat head screwdriver too, just in case some philistine goes looking in the cutlery drawer for tools.

I have a huge Oneida "Twin Star" set my mother got with Betty Crocker coupons in the late 50's early 60's. (Service for 16 with completer pieces) I rounded it out with finds on Ebay. Still great after all these years. I will probably keep them forever.

I only buy 18/10 stainless steel flatware, settings for 12. I try to keep the design simple so they go with various table settings/cloths/family events. They last for years, however, when I tire of the flatware (3 different sets in 30 years), I recycle them to our camping gear, or to my adult children whose children "lose" utensils thru lunches (accidently throwing in the trash), digging in the dirt, using them to pry something open, garbage disposal, ad infinitum.

Our set of Oneida stainless dates back to 1968. Have never lost or damaged a single piece and still like the set as much as when I first got it. No plans on getting anything new.

Yes, Jack Sieber, how do you clean your sterling on a daily basis? I have been tempted to do the same as you, but wondered about clean up when we have a large group. We typically wash it by hand when we use the sterling and of course dry it immediately to prevent spots. Maybe there is a better way?

I used to do the hand washing thing, but now I figure it will still outlast me even if I put it in the dishwasher every couple of days. It comes out nice and shiny. The knife blades may need to be polished a bit when guests come. I just thought 'what am I saving this beautiful set for, anyway!' By the way, I'm Peggy, Jack's wife. Guess I need to sign up with my own e-mail!

Thank you, Peggy!

To clean silver....especially for many pieces or large items:
You need
ENAMEL baking pan
Aluminum foil....in bottom of pan
Baking Soda
Boiling water

This is so amazingly easy

Line bottom of pan with foil
Fill half way or 2/3 with water.....heat to boil, turn heat off, .....add baking soda.

A chemical reaction occurs transferring the tarnish from the silver to the aluminum which blackens. Replace fresh aluminum as needed, reheat water and continue.

The silver still needs a light buffing for sheen but....so very easy
And it does not leach away silver as acids do

You add silver to pan AFTER the baking soda dissolves

Mine are 18/10 heavyweight stainless and are well over 20 years old. Still in perfect condition. I say look around at name brands and buy a really good set that will last you forever.

For cleaning silver the method is almost the same ,a sheet of foil in the sink add Mr.Clean and soak the silver in it with warm water .

No to answer the question ,
I have had everyday flatware for over 40 years and its still good ,a good quality set will last many years.

makaloco - Those ECKO ones are what I grew up with! My mom still has them in the basement and just offered them to my oldest for when she moves out. Still going strong after all these years.

cindyguent - That's the pattern I bought in 1994 when my hubby and I bought our first house...Oneida Flight... I've bought some additional teaspoons since then (why is it only teaspoons fall into the disposal?), but we still use it daily.

Received mine as wedding present in 1967, still using it and it looks great. I would love to find the missing teaspoons though! I keep thinking of replacing it with a new set, but I guess I just like looking.

I started out with a full set and now I have bits and pieces but I don't know where they came from or where my original set disappeared. My pet peeve with with flatware is the weight. I will pick a different spoon, fork, knife because it is so lightweight.....I may be a little OCD! But I am looking for a new set and I will have to feel the weight before I purchase.

Our folks gave us their old set of plain, Danish stainless when the set was over 30 years old. Over the 25+ years we had it, guests have inadvertently scraped pieces into the trash after dinner. I finally broke down and went to Ikea when I counted only 4 forks and 5 knives in the drawer. MUCH happier now. Plus, the Ikea design is much nicer.

Never replace it. Get a good one and keep it forever and pass it down. We have an inherited set of sterling silver—Fairfax. We use it every day, and we use it for fancy dinners too. I polish it a couple of times a year, put in in the dishwasher, and it's still okay, even the old knives. It's good and heavy and sets the table beautifully. We lost a few salad/dessert forks and I found some on eBay. It looks modern. It looks traditional. It goes with everything—my husband's parents art deco wedding china, our Swedish Ostindia everyday dishes, and our own plain, but dressy wedding china . Used, these pieces are about the same cost as new good quality stainless.

RE polishing stainless flatware--I just polished a set of Oneida to pass on to my niece as a wedding gift and used a soft cloth and a paste made from water and Bar Keepers Friend. I thought they were in pretty good shape before, but the little bit of polishing really brought out the shine!

As for replacing everyday flatware? I am on about my 3rd set in 40 years--I like to get fairly good quality and use it until I'm tired of it...then off it goes to a charity for someone else to love for another 15 or 20 years...I don't have a garbage disposal, so no short spoons get lost down the drain.

We have been married almost 50 years. About 20 years ago, a friend told me that no one was more important than my family, and I should use my sterling all the time. By then it had been discontinued, but I had 8 place settings from wedding gifts. I sold my fine china and crystal, which I NEVER used, to Replacements, and used the money to buy sterling. All along I have bought more on EBay, etc., and now have 36 of everything, plus serving items. I bought 12 more silver plate settings in the nearest pattern, so now have 48 for family, church, friends, etc. gatherings. Now with just the 2 of us every day, I keep a mug of soapy water in the sink, and wash the few dirty pieces by hand at night. I keep the sterling in the kitchen drawer, and it never tarnishes...well, occasionally the tines of a fork from egg, but Wright's Silver Cream takes care of that. Use and enjoy!

Love my Oneida Dover stainless, have had it since I was married 23 year ago - still looks wonderful, have a set of 14. We have a backup set of "other" stainless for when we have really large groups. My grandma used to have the same pattern and it was always beautiful. My best friend also has Oneida Dover, her grandma had it too - we are both sentimental. My mom has not had stainless since my brother and I hit our teens, she uses her sterling set daily - Tiffany Hampton, she received the set for her wedding in 1957 it is still fabulous.

I replace them when I notice they start missing

Nowadays the people start using the spoons made from wood rather than a steel and other material. Generally I prefer to use soup spoons and knives made from steel material because they are more durable and long lasting. The people who like wooden spoons and knives can see the wooden cutlery here http://www.justartifacts.net/woodencutlery.html

As to stljoie's instructions about how to clean silver—it's okay if the silver has no indentations or decorations you want to highlight. When you polish by hand, you cannot get into crevices. This is good because the tarnish in the crevices makes the decoration stand out.

pagerobertson- Excellent point! I have my grandmother's sterling from 1916 and have added to it for about 24 place settings. While we don't use it on a daily basis, we do use it everytime we host a family or friends meal. When you use it regularly, it doesn't need to be polished except for spots. And it just feels and looks lovely to use...

Was told that stainless and sterling pieces shouldn't be in contact in the dishwasher, so takes an extra moment to separate at either end of the cutlery basket. Also, have always washed the sterling knives by hand - the ornate handles are glued to the blade, so won't stand up to the heat in the dw (esp. if you use the dry cycle...) Old wives tales? 40+years later, both sets look great, no pitting, and only 1 knife has a slight wobble in the handle.

I know I am supposed to use the silver. Don't... too much trouble. Have three Oneida heavy stainless sets from sam's club a few years ago. I throw them in the dishwasher. I do confess to being addicted to table linens, though. (Oh, and fresh flowers and an interesting centerpiece.)

I was given a set for a wedding gift in the 1970s. It wasn't a pattern/style I had chosen. Anyway, it was still going strong but I replaced it about 10 years ago with something I liked much better. I'm glad I did!

Replace when too many are gone or too scratched to look presentable on a table for friends!

Don't remember when I bought my last set, but I do need to replace. I also have some rust spots showing up on a couple of knives. And I have no idea where some teaspoons and forks have gone...did the dish run away with the spoon???

LOL. Seriously, a matching set of everyday flatware? I tried that once in my house. It lasted two weeks.

We have gnomes or something and stuff goes missing all the time (ie hubby takes stuff to work or breaks it but doesn't want to fess up). It is worse than unmatched socks.

Plus we seem to use certain utensils more than others (teaspoons and dinner forks are popular, but try as I might I can't seem to lose my over abundance of knives).

I've taken to hitting thrift stores and flea markets to find pieces with a nice feel and weight. I've gone for a variety of patterns to really embrace the diversity. I've even found some pretty hefty table spoons that stand up to the hardest of ice-cream because, despite having two heavy duty scoops, hubby always uses the table spoons to dish stuff out.

i have changed my flatware 2 x in 10 years ... now i got extras in case gnomes get it hehehe

Just have kids you will be replacing them every few months. We have so many mismatches and styles I can't keep up. We also have a bunch of glass styles that it's almost a shame. Lol

Once in a four year gap I usually replace my flatware. I like to give an additional charm to my dining that’s why I often replace them. But it doesn’t mean I have never used older ones anymore. On a regular basis I use them too. Today there is no need to get dependent on anything as shops like http://www.thelatable.com/glimmerware-serving-spoon-fork-combo-2-pack/ etc. are jam packed with good flatware options at very affordable prices. So don’t need to rely on one thing, you can regularly change your flatware without spending too much.

I like a pretty table, even for hot dogs, but I want it serviceable, comfortable to use, sturdy AND dw safe. When we had a cottage, the "undesirable" went there, or goodwill, etc. Research the quality of various ss sets or buy them at a thrift shop. Here's my 12 year old favorite Svc for 12 Wallace, still available....

Have bought 3 to 4 sets of matching Oneida service for 12 over past 15 years due to misuse / loss by grandchildren. Irritating, but my darlings are older now and problem is lessening. Subject reminded me of the fun I had as a child deciding which flatware piece to use at my grandparents' summer cottage. Was built in 1920's and had odds and ends of pieces given away at movies (Mary Pickford name and picture on handle, for example), World's Fair or Expo give-aways, airline ware and many odd pieces from a variety of sets.

Hi, this is pagerobertson again. You folks who are using the foil, etc. soak. PLEASE be aware that if you put your sterling in that solution, it will take away ALL the tarnish. The beautiful patina/tarnish that has built up in the crevices of the handle that makes the pattern beautiful, will be gone and take years to build back up again. It may be too late for those who have found out the hard way, but again, good old Wright's Silver Cream with the sponge in the jar to polish, a hot soapy water wash, and dry and rub to buff to a sheen. If you use all the time, it will be years before you have to do again, except for the tines of the forks from eggs, mayo. Use and enjoy!

Correction My Oneida (above) is actually Mikasa!

I've been wanting to get myself a new set of stainless flatware for several years, since I'm still using the remnants of the set my mother started with 65 years ago. Many pieces are missing, but since it's just me now, there's no shortage of flatware to use, I'm just bored with the pattern. It's Gailstyn Stainless 18/8, and it's never rusted or stained, but it's not very shiny either. I wanted a rooster pattern (on the handles) that I saw in a mail order catalog a few years ago, but by the time I went to order it, it was discontinued and no longer in stock. I've been looking for something like it ever since.

Meanwhile, there's still my mother's silver-plated flatware sitting in the closet, which I could use, but I'm not excited about that pattern either. As a gift, I had bought my mother some place settings and extra pieces from her mother's pattern, Charter Oak by International Silver, which I like very much, but tend to save for holidays. Finally, I have a gold trimmed Christmas set (4 place settings) that I usually use at Christmas time. It's not like I need more flatware, but I'd just like something new, for a change!

i remarried 8 years ago. at that time i still had my flatware set from first hubby. i didnt want anything around to remind me of him (long story), so i bought a new flatware set...yamazaki. i love it! 18/10 stainless steel. once in a while the knives get spots, i think from dish washer detergent interacting with maybe lemon juice or vinegar on knife, i just use barkeepers friend to get the spots out. perfect once again.

I have several 18/10 stainless steel continental size flatware collections. I have one service for 12 we use daily, one that is service for 24 for family meals and gatherings and two that are service for 48 that are used for parties ..

Each is different each comes with the array of serving pieces. The Daily is kept in the kitchen drawer the others are kept in flatware chests in the pantry.

Had sterling hated cleaning and sold the whole bunch wasn't worth the effort each time it was used they had to be hand washed .. and then polished.

I do also have a collection of spoons for when the grandkids come over. Seems they have inherited their parents penchant for using spoons for everything like digging in the backyard ,playing with play dough etc. so when i see spoons at the thrift store i pick up a few each time so they can continue the "use a spoon for everything" tradition without losing Grandmas spoons!

I asked how often you should replace utensils/cutlery. The comments all had reference to missing or outdated silverware. I was wondering if anyone knows if after the shine wears off the "silver" exposes contaminants to the mouth.

Sort of like replacing sheets and pillowcases because the body sheds an entire layer of dead skin cells every month.

No Henny Penny, but I am considering whether that may lead to tooth decay? Don't know yet. But that would make "antique" silverware display art and not usable utensils.

Sterling silver can't have anything "wear off" since it is silver all the way through. Silver plate can be "re-plated," I believe. You ask a good question, though, about what is the metal underneath that plating. I would guess that it might depend on when it was made. I have been using my Reed and Barton stainless since I got it as a bridal gift in 1982 and it still looks like the day I got it. I have bought a few replacement pieces over the years to fill in gaps for pieces that have gone missing. They cost a fortune, but I figure it's cheaper than buying a whole new set of something that I don't like as well. My silver is still going strong. Mine is mixed in with my mom's. Same pattern. Can't tell the difference - 1982 and 1947.

When I used to buy the cheapy flatware (Target, Walmart, Kmart), seems like I was replacing my flatware all the time (within 5 years). Almost 20 years ago, I decided to splurge and purchased a set of Reed and Barton Stainless Steel Flatware. Best move I ever made. It's indestructible. All these years later, it still looks great, I still love the pattern because it's simple and it goes with my everyday dishes as well as well as my mother's china. Love it! If for some reason I ever have to replace it, I will go with Reed and Barton, again.

I use my grandmothers silver as my everyday

Here's what I think; if you are ready to change, you should. You shouldn't wait until the disposal has taken bites. If you can afford it, and you find something you like better, you should treat yourself to a new pattern. If it was a shirt or coat that you no longer liked, you'd probably stop wearing it and buy something you liked more. Life is too short to not enjoy the little things, so if this little thing will make you happier, why not?

Get what you love but remember--you get what you pay for. Been using our wedding stainless from International for almost 50 years. I keep my mom's and grandmom's for picnic usage or large gatherings. Go with substantial and quality.

Even though they said dishwasher safe flatware soaking cause discoloration. So its better to handwash and dry them quicky if you want to use for few years in good conditions.

Have mismatched stainless bought from TJX years ago. It looks fine. Have 12 place settings of Tiffany Shell and Thread from wedding in 67. Very classic and heavy. Looks great. Best of all is silver from great grandparents, well over 100 years old. Puts the Tiffany newer set to shame. Love and use them all

My original basic stainless flatware is 53 years old and looks almost new in spite of everyday use. I have had a second set of stainless flatware for 12 for dinner parties for over 30 years, also like new. Good quality lasts.

I left my good stainless steel with my ex. I've been using some mix and match silver plate mom found at a yard sale for almost 20 years. The plate is worn off in places and the edge of the knife blades are rusty. ick!

I found a very tarnished set of silver plate in otherwise perfect condition and paid $35 for 71 pieces. A steal! And that will now be my new everyday cutlery. (See pic)

My question is, what do I do with the old set? It's really not fit for humans at this point, so the thrift store isn't the answer.