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Stainless steel and sterling handle

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Author	Topic: Stainless steel and sterling handle
Janet1 Posts: 46 Registered: Oct 2017	posted 11-11-2017 05:20 PM Hello All, So I picked up some mismatched (somewhat dented) silverware today. The tips are labeled stainless steel. 3 of the handles say sterling handle. Is that a real thing, or was it done to deceive? Thank you for taking the time to read! Janet IP: Logged
taloncrest Posts: 169 Registered: Jun 2004	posted 11-12-2017 11:13 AM It's the real thing, but there is not a lot of silver there. The handle is a thin sterling shell filled with pitch or something like that, and a rod shaped extension of the blade extends into it to join them securely together. Knives in sterling flatware sets are almost always made in this way. The pattern was made by Oneida for sale by another company (Home Decorators, Inc.) who sold directly to the consumer. The trademark used was State House, and the pattern is Formality. It was introduced in about 1942, I assume because Oneida was no longer able to make silverplate for them due to the war. Thanks to Dale's old post Two More Newark NJ Silver Companies for I had forgotten the company's name! [This message has been edited by taloncrest (edited 11-12-2017).] IP: Logged
Janet1 Posts: 46 Registered: Oct 2017	posted 11-12-2017 11:33 AM Thank you for the informative response. I just thought it was odd, but being new to this I appreciate your help. I will read up on those references and companies. Thanks again, Janet IP: Logged
Kimo Posts: 1627 Registered: Mar 2003	posted 11-13-2017 01:37 AM During the war there were certain metals that were considered "strategic" in that they were in high demand to make things like weapons and ammunition and ships and planes and tanks and the like. Silver was not a strategic metal and so it was relatively not very expensive or difficult to obtain compared to "strategic" metals such as copper and iron and others. The inflation adjusted price of silver in 1942, for example, was around $5.75 per ounce. Slow downs and stoppages in production of non-war related things such as flatware was more due to the steel than the silver. All of that aside, Taloncrest has given you a good explanation about knives that were included in sterling silver flatware sets. Solid sterling silver is too soft to be used as the blade on a knife and so knives are made with steel blades and tangs set into very thin sterling handle shells and set into these shells with pitch or tar or cement or something that can be poured into the handle that will set up and hold the tang of the blade in place over the long term. Some kinds of hollowware is made in this way as well - one of the types that seems to be made this way most often are many styles of sterling candlesticks that need extra weight in them to keep them from tipping over and where making them of solid sterling silver would be an unnecessary added expense. IP: Logged
Janet1 Posts: 46 Registered: Oct 2017	posted 11-13-2017 09:42 AM Thank you Kimo and Taloncrest, most informative postings. I've been reading prior postings on the other categories and trying to get some general understanding of things. There's a lot of info for someone like me to absorb. Thanks again, Janet IP: Logged
agphile Posts: 798 Registered: Apr 2008	posted 11-13-2017 11:29 AM Perhaps worth mentioning that knives of this type should not be put through a dishwasher - the heat of the water can melt the filling in the handle, loosening or detaching the blade. IP: Logged
Janet1 Posts: 46 Registered: Oct 2017	posted 11-14-2017 09:00 AM Thank you for that tip! IP: Logged
Janet1 Posts: 46 Registered: Oct 2017	posted 11-14-2017 12:50 PM Thank you for that tip! IP: Logged

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