{"title":"FLATWARE","description":"\u003cp\u003eAs a means to engrave our knives we purchased a fiber laser engraver several years ago.  While the engraver obviously suits our needs in regards to our knives we also began exploring engraving on other items and one of those was flatware.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe flatware we initially engraved started for our own personal use and then evolved into gifts for others and finally we started exploring the idea of offering it as a product in addition to our handmade knives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo be completely clear, the knives engraved in this section are not made by our hands.  We explored the idea of having a line of knives made for us but on a certain level that just felt disingenuous so we have chosen to be fully transparent about who manufactures the knives and you can read about each supplier in the listing. For vintage flatware this may not always be readily available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"copy-of-our-daily-bread-the-lords-prayer-stainless-steel-black-pvd-flatware","title":"Custom Family Name Flatware - Stainless Steel Black PVD Flatware","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis flatware set has a very clean, classic design that can be dressed up for special meals or alternately used every day.  It is versatile enough to do both which is why this pattern appealed to us so much.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur contribution to this this product is the engraving, which can be customized to show your family name on the knife.  At your request, we can also gladly add a year or date under your family name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen you order make sure the email you use under the order is valid as we will email you within 2 days to confirm the spelling of the name or word you would like on your set.  Once confirmed we will send a proof of the font as it will appear on your knife and once you OK the proof we will process the order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e*Please know that these are engraved to order so please allow 1-2 weeks to process before the order ships. If you have a specific date that you need your flatware by, then let us know via email at info@noraknives.mom and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFOR MORE INFO, READ ON...\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eHOW IS THE WEIGHT ON THESE?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a perfect world I would love for this set to be just a bit heavier.  The knives have a good weight to them but the fork and spoon feel on the lighter side and my preference is a heavier flatware set.  Weight is a personal preference however so this may be a perfect fit for someone that likes their flatware to feel a bit more nimble.  I would overall place this square in the mid-weight category.  If you want a really hefty feel to the set though this may not be your ideal fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWHAT ABOUT THE SIZE OF THESE?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe spoon is larger than most on the market.  I feel it is a perfect soup size.  It will also be appreciated by the men in the house.  It may be a bit over sized for most children.  The fork is mid-range and feels neither too big or too small.  Likewise, the knife feels not too big, not too small although the entire set will be better suited to adult hands as compared to smaller children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eHOW DO THEY GET THAT BLACK FINISH?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe black finish on this flatware is the result of a process called PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition.) \u003cspan\u003ePVD is a thin vaporized coating, such as a metal or oxide coating (usually titanium), that manufacturers adhere to flatware in a controlled sealed vacuum chamber. In general, PVD provides a much more uniform coating than any other technology and is generally recognized to form coatings that are stronger and better bonded to the substrate material.  This is in contrast to many electroplated flatware sets that may look similar but will have a much less durable finish and show scratches quickly. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWHO MAKES THIS SET?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis set is manufactured by the Dutch flatware company, Amefa. Amefa has been in business since 1931 and is a large player in the European flatware market. We chose to use Amefa's products after purchasing a variety of other sets on the market and testing them.  Amefa was a good combination of quality and price and we felt comfortable known their cutlery was consistently the same throughout testing.  We couldn't say the same for many other brands we tried who seemed to have mixed results.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSIDE NOTE: Ideally, we would love to source a US manufacturer for this product but, alas, there is only 1 (one!) flatware manufacturer in the US and they do not currently produce any black colored flatware.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWHAT IS THE STEEL MADE OF?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e18\/0 (Fork \u0026amp; Spoon)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e18\/0 indicates the percentage of Chromium, which is 18%. Nickel is not added to this set which is why the second number is \"0\". The presence of Nickel gives a flatware pattern a superior shine, which is intended to mimic new silver flatware.  In this case, because the flatware is being coated with a PVD finish, the nickel is not necessary which is likely why it is not used in this product.  The nickel does add weight, however, which is a factor for many people when choosing a flatware set.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e13\/0 (Knife)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e13\/0 indicates the percentage of Chromium, which is 13%. Nickel is not added (still with good corrosion resistance). This steel is basically what is used on virtually every flatware knife out there. The knives use a different steel from the forks and spoons because they generally require a higher hardness and, as such, this steel has a slightly higher carbon content. This type of steel can be hardened and re-shaped when needed. An advantage that ensures the sharpness and durability of the knife blades for a longer period of time. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eIS THE KNIFE SHARP?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a hard one for us to answer as flatware knives are painfully dull in comparison to what we are used to on our knives.  The short answer is that the knives are generally sharp enough to cut most food items but we would (of course) love for them to be sharper. These will not work for a tougher steak or those food items that are generally better suited to steak knives. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith that said, the sharpness on this set seems somewhat par for the course and there are few that we have found that are much sharper.  (On the plus side, no one is going to get injured at Thanksgiving dinner.)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eHOW DO I CARE FOR THESE KNIVES?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cutlery featured is made of 18% (18\/0) quality stainless steel and safe for contact with food. This cutlery is dishwasher safe when taking into account Amefa's instructions:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFirst, a note on handwashing...\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHandwashing remains preferable and is advised to maintain the shine. Avoid scouring pads, bleach detergents and the use of sodium. Rinse food residue promptly or wash your cutlery directly after using, prolonged exposure to salts and food acids causes damage. Don’t leave your cutlery soaking. After washing, dry straightaway with a soft cloth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDishwashing...\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDishwashing is fine when taking into account the following instructions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e When using the dishwasher, avoid aggressive detergents as these will damage your cutlery, use gentle detergents with a phosphate level below 3% and avoid sodium. We recommend using dishwashing programs with a low temperature of 40ºC or less. Check if your dishwasher features an eco-friendly program, most of these programs offer a low temperature of 40ºC or less. Rinse food residue promptly before putting the pieces in the dishwasher, prolonged exposure to salts and food acids (e.g. mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard) causes damage. Do not wash your cutlery in contact with cutlery, knives or utensils of a lower steel quality as chemical reactions will mark the steel. Remove the pieces from the dishwasher when the cycle is finished and towel dry your cutlery to prevent spotting. Don’t leave your cutlery to cool. Remove any water spots with a soft cloth to keep its shine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso, carefully hand wash your cutlery before first use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eSO WAIT...CAN I OR CAN'T I WASH THESE IN THE DISHWASHER?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYou can wash these in the dishwasher.\u003c\/strong\u003e Samples of this set have survived 70+ wash cycles here at our own house with no sign of staining, rust or discoloration. We used both the standard cycles and the high heat sanitize cycles and had no issues with either one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease note, though, that these knives don't play well with others.  What we have noticed is that if you have older, vintage sets they themselves may discolor.  This was the case with a vintage bronze set of flatware that we have. When we washed it with the black PVD it actually tended to discolor the bronze.  No issues with the Amefa set at all but something we wanted to note.  As mentioned in the care instructions above, which are taken directly from Amefa, it appears the PVD coating may react with certain other metals so its best to wash this set with modern flatware if possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eEVERYONE KNOWS THAT WITH A FORMAL PLACE SETTING THE KNIFE BLADE SHOULD FACE TOWARDS THE PLATE.  SO WHY IS THE ENGRAVING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE???\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe're rebels that's why.  Why not get a little crazy and break the rules sometimes? \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso, the \"AMEFA\" brand logo is located on the other side and that's just not as pretty to look at.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nora Knives","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":31841304903785,"sku":"","price":120.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0344\/0381\/products\/20200129-130653-compress58.jpg?v=1580336232"},{"product_id":"blade-bloom-custom-flatware-stainless-steel-black-pvd-flatware","title":"Custom Flatware 'Blade \u0026 Bloom' Sweetheart Set - Stainless Steel Black PVD Flatware","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis flatware set has a very clean, classic design that can be dressed up for special meals or alternately used every day.  It is versatile enough to do both which is why this pattern appealed to us so much.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur contribution to this this product is the engraving, which was made to be used as a \"Sweetheart Set\" for meals with that special someone in your life.  The logo on this combines a Rose and Knife and it is meant to symbolize both the masculine and the feminine. (But note that both items are a bit \"prickly\" at times...we are realists over here.) \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWe customize each set with two letters of your choice.\u003c\/strong\u003e  One for you and one for your partner.  We think these are great for newlyweds, anniversaries and Valentine's Day Dinners. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen you order, make sure the email you use under the order form is valid. We will email you within 2 days to confirm the letters you would like on your set. Once confirmed we will send a proof of the image as it will appear on your knife and once you \"OK\" the proof, we will process the order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff2a00;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e*Please know that these are engraved to order so please allow 1-2 weeks to process before the order ships. If you have a specific date that you need your flatware by, then let us know via email at info@noraknives.mom and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. As of 02.05.20, due to a large amount of orders received, we can not guarantee Valentine's Day Delivery but we will do our best!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFOR MORE INFO, READ ON...\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eHOW IS THE WEIGHT ON THESE?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a perfect world I would love for this set to be just a bit heavier.  The knives have a good weight to them but the fork and spoon feel on the lighter side and my preference is a heavier flatware set.  Weight is a personal preference however so this may be a perfect fit for someone that likes their flatware to feel a bit more nimble.  I would overall place this square in the mid-weight category.  If you want a really hefty feel to the set though this may not be your ideal fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWHAT ABOUT THE SIZE OF THESE?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe spoon is larger than most on the market.  I feel it is a perfect soup size.  It will also be appreciated by the men in the house.  It may be a bit over sized for most children.  The fork is mid-range and feels neither too big or too small.  Likewise, the knife feels not too big, not too small although the entire set will be better suited to adult hands as compared to smaller children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eHOW DO THEY GET THAT BLACK FINISH?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe black finish on this flatware is the result of a process called PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition.) \u003cspan\u003ePVD is a thin vaporized coating, such as a metal or oxide coating (usually titanium), that manufacturers adhere to flatware in a controlled sealed vacuum chamber. In general, PVD provides a much more uniform coating than any other technology and is generally recognized to form coatings that are stronger and better bonded to the substrate material.  This is in contrast to many electroplated flatware sets that may look similar but will have a much less durable finish and show scratches quickly. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWHO MAKES THIS SET?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis set is manufactured by the Dutch flatware company, Amefa. Amefa has been in business since 1931 and is a large player in the European flatware market. We chose to use Amefa's products after purchasing a variety of other sets on the market and testing them.  Amefa was a good combination of quality and price and we felt comfortable known their cutlery was consistently the same throughout testing.  We couldn't say the same for many other brands we tried who seemed to have mixed results.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSIDE NOTE: Ideally, we would love to source a US manufacturer for this product but, alas, there is only 1 (one!) flatware manufacturer in the US and they do not currently produce any black colored flatware.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWHAT IS THE STEEL MADE OF?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e18\/0 (Fork \u0026amp; Spoon)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e18\/0 indicates the percentage of Chromium, which is 18%. Nickel is not added to this set which is why the second number is \"0\". The presence of Nickel gives a flatware pattern a superior shine, which is intended to mimic new silver flatware.  In this case, because the flatware is being coated with a PVD finish, the nickel is not necessary which is likely why it is not used in this product.  The nickel does add weight, however, which is a factor for many people when choosing a flatware set.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e13\/0 (Knife)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e13\/0 indicates the percentage of Chromium, which is 13%. Nickel is not added (still with good corrosion resistance). This steel is basically what is used on virtually every flatware knife out there. The knives use a different steel from the forks and spoons because they generally require a higher hardness and, as such, this steel has a slightly higher carbon content. This type of steel can be hardened and re-shaped when needed. An advantage that ensures the sharpness and durability of the knife blades for a longer period of time. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eIS THE KNIFE SHARP?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a hard one for us to answer as flatware knives are painfully dull in comparison to what we are used to on our knives.  The short answer is that the knives are generally sharp enough to cut most food items but we would (of course) love for them to be sharper. These will not work for a tougher steak or those food items that are generally better suited to steak knives. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith that said, the sharpness on this set seems somewhat par for the course and there are few that we have found that are much sharper.  (On the plus side, no one is going to get injured at Thanksgiving dinner.)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eHOW DO I CARE FOR THESE KNIVES?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cutlery featured is made of 18% (18\/0) quality stainless steel and safe for contact with food. This cutlery is dishwasher safe when taking into account Amefa's instructions:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFirst, a note on handwashing...\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHandwashing remains preferable and is advised to maintain the shine. Avoid scouring pads, bleach detergents and the use of sodium. Rinse food residue promptly or wash your cutlery directly after using, prolonged exposure to salts and food acids causes damage. Don’t leave your cutlery soaking. After washing, dry straightaway with a soft cloth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDishwashing...\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDishwashing is fine when taking into account the following instructions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e When using the dishwasher, avoid aggressive detergents as these will damage your cutlery, use gentle detergents with a phosphate level below 3% and avoid sodium. We recommend using dishwashing programs with a low temperature of 40ºC or less. Check if your dishwasher features an eco-friendly program, most of these programs offer a low temperature of 40ºC or less. Rinse food residue promptly before putting the pieces in the dishwasher, prolonged exposure to salts and food acids (e.g. mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard) causes damage. Do not wash your cutlery in contact with cutlery, knives or utensils of a lower steel quality as chemical reactions will mark the steel. Remove the pieces from the dishwasher when the cycle is finished and towel dry your cutlery to prevent spotting. Don’t leave your cutlery to cool. Remove any water spots with a soft cloth to keep its shine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso, carefully hand wash your cutlery before first use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eSO WAIT...CAN I OR CAN'T I WASH THESE IN THE DISHWASHER?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYou can wash these in the dishwasher.\u003c\/strong\u003e Samples of this set have survived 70+ wash cycles here at our own house with no sign of staining, rust or discoloration. We used both the standard cycles and the high heat sanitize cycles and had no issues with either one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease note, though, that these knives don't play well with others.  What we have noticed is that if you have older, vintage sets they themselves may discolor.  This was the case with a vintage bronze set of flatware that we have. When we washed it with the black PVD it actually tended to discolor the bronze.  No issues with the Amefa set at all but something we wanted to note.  As mentioned in the care instructions above, which are taken directly from Amefa, it appears the PVD coating may react with certain other metals so its best to wash this set with modern flatware if possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eEVERYONE KNOWS THAT WITH A FORMAL PLACE SETTING THE KNIFE BLADE SHOULD FACE TOWARDS THE PLATE.  SO WHY IS THE ENGRAVING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE???\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe're rebels that's why.  Why not get a little crazy and break the rules sometimes? \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso, the \"AMEFA\" brand logo is located on the other side and that's just not as pretty to look at.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nora Knives","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":31841635631209,"sku":"","price":65.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0344\/0381\/products\/20200128-123103-02_7d19edf1-0710-4ba9-92b1-689f7a268170.jpg?v=1580442344"},{"product_id":"lapland-sun-flatware-stainless-steel-black-pvd-flatware","title":"'Lapland Forest' Flatware - Stainless Steel Black PVD Flatware","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis flatware set has a very clean, classic design that can be dressed up for special meals or alternately used every day.  It is versatile enough to do both which is why this pattern appealed to us so much.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur contribution to this this product is the engraving, which was our lighthearted take on the folk art of Scandinavia, and particularly Finland which has a special spot in our heart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e*Please know that these are engraved to order so please allow 1-2 weeks to process before the order ships. If you have a specific date that you need your flatware by, then let us know via email at info@noraknives.mom and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFOR MORE INFO, READ ON...\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eHOW IS THE WEIGHT ON THESE?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a perfect world I would love for this set to be just a bit heavier.  The knives have a good weight to them but the fork and spoon feel on the lighter side and my preference is a heavier flatware set.  Weight is a personal preference however so this may be a perfect fit for someone that likes their flatware to feel a bit more nimble.  I would overall place this square in the mid-weight category.  If you want a really hefty feel to the set though this may not be your ideal fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWHAT ABOUT THE SIZE OF THESE?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe spoon is larger than most on the market.  I feel it is a perfect soup size.  It will also be appreciated by the men in the house.  It may be a bit over sized for most children.  The fork is mid-range and feels neither too big or too small.  Likewise, the knife feels not too big, not too small although the entire set will be better suited to adult hands as compared to smaller children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eHOW DO THEY GET THAT BLACK FINISH?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe black finish on this flatware is the result of a process called PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition.) \u003cspan\u003ePVD is a thin vaporized coating, such as a metal or oxide coating (usually titanium), that manufacturers adhere to flatware in a controlled sealed vacuum chamber. In general, PVD provides a much more uniform coating than any other technology and is generally recognized to form coatings that are stronger and better bonded to the substrate material.  This is in contrast to many electroplated flatware sets that may look similar but will have a much less durable finish and show scratches quickly. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWHO MAKES THIS SET?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis set is manufactured by the Dutch flatware company, Amefa. Amefa has been in business since 1931 and is a large player in the European flatware market. We chose to use Amefa's products after purchasing a variety of other sets on the market and testing them.  Amefa was a good combination of quality and price and we felt comfortable known their cutlery was consistently the same throughout testing.  We couldn't say the same for many other brands we tried who seemed to have mixed results.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSIDE NOTE: Ideally, we would love to source a US manufacturer for this product but, alas, there is only 1 (one!) flatware manufacturer in the US and they do not currently produce any black colored flatware.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWHAT IS THE STEEL MADE OF?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e18\/0 (Fork \u0026amp; Spoon)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e18\/0 indicates the percentage of Chromium, which is 18%. Nickel is not added to this set which is why the second number is \"0\". The presence of Nickel gives a flatware pattern a superior shine, which is intended to mimic new silver flatware.  In this case, because the flatware is being coated with a PVD finish, the nickel is not necessary which is likely why it is not used in this product.  The nickel does add weight, however, which is a factor for many people when choosing a flatware set.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e13\/0 (Knife)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e13\/0 indicates the percentage of Chromium, which is 13%. Nickel is not added (still with good corrosion resistance). This steel is basically what is used on virtually every flatware knife out there. The knives use a different steel from the forks and spoons because they generally require a higher hardness and, as such, this steel has a slightly higher carbon content. This type of steel can be hardened and re-shaped when needed. An advantage that ensures the sharpness and durability of the knife blades for a longer period of time. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eIS THE KNIFE SHARP?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a hard one for us to answer as flatware knives are painfully dull in comparison to what we are used to on our knives.  The short answer is that the knives are generally sharp enough to cut most food items but we would (of course) love for them to be sharper. These will not work for a tougher steak or those food items that are generally better suited to steak knives. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith that said, the sharpness on this set seems somewhat par for the course and there are few that we have found that are much sharper.  On the plus side, no one is going to get injured at Thanksgiving dinner.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eHOW DO I CARE FOR THESE KNIVES?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cutlery featured is made of 18% (18\/0) quality stainless steel and safe for contact with food. This cutlery is dishwasher safe when taking into account Amefa's instructions:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFirst, a note on handwashing...\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHandwashing remains preferable and is advised to maintain the shine. Avoid scouring pads, bleach detergents and the use of sodium. Rinse food residue promptly or wash your cutlery directly after using, prolonged exposure to salts and food acids causes damage. Don’t leave your cutlery soaking. After washing, dry straightaway with a soft cloth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDishwashing...\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDishwashing is fine when taking into account the following instructions: When using the dishwasher, avoid aggressive detergents as these will damage your cutlery, use gentle detergents with a phosphate level below 3% and avoid sodium. We recommend using dishwashing programs with a low temperature of 40ºC or less. Check if your dishwasher features an eco-friendly program, most of these programs offer a low temperature of 40ºC or less. Rinse food residue promptly before putting the pieces in the dishwasher, prolonged exposure to salts and food acids (e.g. mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard) causes damage. Do not wash your cutlery in contact with cutlery, knives or utensils of a lower steel quality as chemical reactions will mark the steel. Remove the pieces from the dishwasher when the cycle is finished and towel dry your cutlery to prevent spotting. Don’t leave your cutlery to cool. Remove any water spots with a soft cloth to keep its shine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso, carefully hand wash your cutlery before first use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eSO WAIT...CAN I OR CAN'T I WASH THESE IN THE DISHWASHER?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can wash these in the dishwasher. Samples of this set have survived 70+ wash cycles here at our own house with no sign of staining, rust or discoloration. We used both the standard cycles and the high heat sanitize cycles and had no issues with either one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease note, though, that these knives don't play well with others.  What we have noticed is that if you have older, vintage sets they themselves may discolor.  This was the case with a vintage bronze set of flatware that we have. When we washed it with the black PVD it actually tended to discolor the bronze.  No issues with the Amefa set at all but something we wanted to note.  As mentioned in the care instructions above, which are taken directly from Amefa, it appears the PVD coating may react with certain other metals so its best to wash this set with modern flatware if possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eEVERYONE KNOWS THAT WITH A FORMAL PLACE SETTING THE KNIFE BLADE SHOULD FACE TOWARDS THE PLATE.  SO WHY IS THE ENGRAVING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE???\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe're rebels that's why.  Why not get a little crazy and break the rules sometimes? \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso, the \"AMEFA\" brand logo is located on the other side and that's just not as pretty to look at.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nora Knives","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":31842454831209,"sku":"","price":134.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0344\/0381\/products\/20200128-122131-compress70_dfffee84-ed6f-4c7c-93fa-5162812b66b9.jpg?v=1580441885"},{"product_id":"custom-engraved-full-moons-flatware-silver-plated","title":"Custom Engraved 'Full Moons' Vintage Flatware Set - Silver Plated","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis flatware set is a 22 piece vintage set that was made by the German Flatware Manufacturer: Wenz. The set contains 6 knives, 6 forks and 6 spoons along with 2 spreaders and one 2 pronged fork that is perfect for spearing pickles (among other things.  Our family is big into pickle spears!)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe engraved this set with the theme of the full moon and, more generally, the lunar cycle.  Did you know that each month has its own full moon and each moon is named?  The Harvest Moon (in September) is perhaps the most well known of the full moons but did you know there are others including a Buck Moon (July), a Flower Moon (May), and even an Egg Moon (April)?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe took the 6 knives in this set and each was engraved with a design that reflects on of the 12 full moons.  In a perfect world, we would have had all 12 moons represented ( and even a few more for those Blue and Blood moons) but since we only had six knives we chose the following moons: The Egg Moon (April), The Strawberry Moon (June), the Harvest Moon (September), The Buck Moon (July), The Flower Moon (May) and finally the Hunter's Moon (October.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe forks and spoons coordinate with the lunar theme.  Each fork features a small trio of starbursts and each spoon has a shimmering half-moon that appears to be rising over the water.  On each piece at the base of the handle is an art-deco inspired hawk flying into the moonlight.  There is a lot of love put into this set and we hope it finds a happy home with one of you that is a kindred spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFOR MORE INFO, READ ON...\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eHOW IS THE WEIGHT ON THESE?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an elegant set that is large in stature and each piece has a nice, hefty weight to them.   To be precise, the spoons weighs 64 grams each, the forks weighs 42 grams a piece and each knife weighs 110 grams.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWHAT ABOUT THE SIZE OF THESE?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe entire set will be better suited to adult hands as compared to smaller children.  It is a larger set and both the fork and spoon have a nice, long length.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe length of each piece is as follows:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpoon: 8.25 inches, Fork: 8.5 inches and the Knife is 9.75 inches\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are several spreaders included in this set and smaller forks which are all roughly 8 inches and under.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWHO MAKES THIS SET?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis flatware set is a 22 piece vintage set that was made by the German Flatware Manufacturer: Wenz.  Based on my research, it seems likely this set was made in the 1950's and it is stamped \"WENZ 90\" on each piece which signifies that this set was silver plated with 90 grams of fine silver.  This was a common marking for flatware in Germany to signify the exact amount of silver used. (If companies wanted to produce more affordable options they would plate with less silver and, as such, use smaller numbers on the stamping such as \"60,\" \"40\" or even \"20.\")\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe knives in this set are composed of two pieces and the cutting blade is stamped with \"Rostfrei.\" \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis German word simply means ‘rust-free’ when translated to English. However, it also refers to ‘stainless steel’ when engraved on the blade and other cutlery items. When stamped with ‘Rostfrei’, the knife or cutlery typically comes from Germany or a German-speaking nation such as Switzerland, which aligns with the idea that this set likely was produced and sold in Germany.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWHAT IS THE STEEL MADE OF?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is a vintage set and it is fairly clear that it has been silver plated but the base steel\/metal is unknown.  Likewise, we do not know the steel used on the actual knife blades.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWHAT IS THE CONDITION OF THIS SET?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis set is in generally good condition.  There is light wear and tear in some areas including very light pitting on some pieces. A handful of pieces also show some of the silver is beginning to degrade and show the base metal below.  The large majority of the set is in great shape though.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe only item that I feel must be mentioned is that the Buck Moon knife has a small crack in the base of the knife that is generally cosmetic in nature and will not affect the function of the knife. (see pictures) However, at this point, it does represent a weakness in that knife's blade so if excessive stress is placed on the knife or it is dropped, there is a chance it would break along with pre-existing crack.  If this worries or bothers you immensely, please consider buying a set that is perhaps without flaws.  For us, personally, we like the patina and wear that comes with a vintage set but we don't ever want to assume that is what everyone likes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eIS THE KNIFE SHARP?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a hard one for us to answer as flatware knives are painfully dull in comparison to what we are used to on our knives.  The short answer is that the knives are generally sharp enough to cut most food items but we would (of course) love for them to be sharper. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith that said, the sharpness on this set seems somewhat par for the course and it will cut through 90% of whatever is on your plate.  We did do a very light sharpening on each of the blades to give them just a bit of a \"toothy\" edge.  Please be aware to not cut yourself!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eHOW DO I CARE FOR THESE KNIVES?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis set will do best if hand washed with a mild detergent after each meal. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith that said, we know that some of you *cough* will still feel compelled to throw them in the dishwasher.  We aren't judging but if you must place them in the dishwasher, make sure to n\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eever wash silver-plated flatware with stainless-steel flatware in the same dishwasher load. The silver and stainless steel chemically react in the presence of automatic dish-washing detergent, causing silver ions to disassociate from the silver plate and transfer to the stainless steel. This leaves pits on the silver plate and may cause spotting of the stainless steel, especially if the metals are touching each other.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eEVERYONE KNOWS THAT WITH A FORMAL PLACE SETTING THE KNIFE BLADE SHOULD FACE TOWARDS THE PLATE.  SO WHY IS THE ENGRAVING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE???\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe're rebels that's why.  Why not get a little crazy and break the rules sometimes? \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlso, the \"ROSTFREI\" stamp is located on the other side and that's just not as pretty to look at.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nora Knives","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39496294301801,"sku":"","price":285.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0344\/0381\/products\/20210615_085700_compress79_3c2c7e8a-61e6-4259-acdd-2862cbd6a79a.jpg?v=1623793395"},{"product_id":"vintage-spoon-he-who-sups-with-the-devil","title":"Vintage Spoon - He who sups with the devil...","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eI came upon 3 of these spoons at an antique store and I loved them immediately.  They have a great weight and feel and look quite elegant.  I was also intrigued by the fairly elaborate markings on the back. (Read more below)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThey came engraved with an \"H\" already on the front and based on that I decided to add a proverb that I had read which goes as follows:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"He who sups with the devil should have a long spoon\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAppropriately, this is a long spoon.  So for those of you who choose to keep dangerous company (chefs, we are looking at you) we got you covered.  \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEach of these is slightly different.  One of the spoons actually has an engraving in the base of the bowl but it's rather hard to see so I opted to not use that engraving on the other two.  Each spoon has its own font and each has a tiny little devil tail worked into the proverb just for good measure. Enjoy!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFOR MORE INFO, READ ON...\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eHOW IS THE WEIGHT ON THESE?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExcellent if you like your spoons a bit heftier!  The weight for each spoon comes in at 104 grams (3.7 oz). \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWHAT ABOUT THE SIZE OF THESE?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese spoons are on the longer side (appropriately) coming in at 9 inches.  The spoon has a nice, deep bowl and is a lovely oval shape that comes to a nice rounded point at the top.  I believe these were likely serving spoons when originally made.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWHO MAKES THIS SET?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese spoons bear the markings of British-based flatware company Walker \u0026amp; Hall.  Based on the \u003ca title=\"Walker and Hall Identifying Marks\" href=\"http:\/\/www.silvercollection.it\/ENGLAWALKER\u0026amp;HALLDATE.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003emarkings on the back of each spoon\u003c\/a\u003e, these were produced between 1885-1905.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWHAT IS THE STEEL MADE OF?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a vintage piece and it is fairly clear that it has been silver plated but the base steel\/metal is unknown.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eWHAT IS THE CONDITION OF THESE SPOONS?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis set is in generally good condition.  There is light wear and tear in some areas including very light pitting on some pieces. A handful of pieces also show some of the silver is beginning to degrade and show the base metal below.  For the most part, however, these spoons are in excellent shape given their age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eHOW DO I CARE FOR THIS SPOON?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis spoon will do best if hand washed with a mild detergent after each meal\/prep period. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith that said, we know that some of you *cough* will still feel compelled to throw them in the dishwasher.  We aren't judging but if you must place them in the dishwasher, make sure to n\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eever wash silver-plated flatware with stainless-steel flatware in the same dishwasher load. The silver and stainless steel chemically react in the presence of automatic dish-washing detergent, causing silver ions to disassociate from the silver plate and transfer to the stainless steel. This leaves pits on the silver plate and may cause spotting of the stainless steel, especially if the metals are touching each other.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nora Knives","offers":[{"title":"Spoon 1: Skull Image and Saying","offer_id":39496545697897,"sku":"","price":16.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Spoon 2: Old English Font","offer_id":39496545730665,"sku":"","price":16.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Spoon 3: Vintage Newspaper Type","offer_id":39496545763433,"sku":"","price":16.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0344\/0381\/products\/20210614_183353_compress2.jpg?v=1623793078"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0344\/0381\/collections\/fLATWARE.jpg?v=1575328231","url":"https:\/\/noraknives.mom\/collections\/flatware.oembed","provider":"Nora Knives","version":"1.0","type":"link"}