Talk:Cutlery

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Can someone inform an ignorant Brit - how much is the term "cutlery" used in the US? I have done this article as "cutlery also silverware" rather than the reverse, because I think that "cutlery" is understood everywhere, while "silverware" certainly isn't. I just have this feeling that people can't possibly refer to "plastic silverware" - though stranger things have happened. seglea 05:18, 13 Dec 2003 (UTC)

I doubt if you asked random Americans, half of them would not have any idea of what cutlery is. ebeisher. I always thought cutlery refered to cutting things such as knives and such. Anyway, most people say silverware, or to the undereducated, sporks :-). Anyway, check out http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=plastic+silverware - ebeisher

Egad, you're right! On the other hand, a Google on plastic cutlery throws up a good number of US sites (as well as UK ones), whereas there's no UK usage of "silverware" at all... so I think it is probably the right way round. However, I can detect a tendency for "cutlery" in the US to also mean specifically cutting instruments (probably another case where US usage preserves an older English usage, actually - cutlers were specialists in knives, as the name suggests). I'll try to add something to the article to identify that.

Thanks for the spork reference, that's a great article, and I've linked it. seglea 05:37, 13 Dec 2003 (UTC)

Well, being from Canada I am aware of both terms, as well as "flatware". Flatware appears to apply to eating utensils whereas cutlery refers more specifically to knives and scissors; as apparent in some product websites: http://www.cutlery.com/t11t20.shtml.fluffybob

I would like to find a reference to the types of plastics used in the manufacturing of cutlery. (Judging from the picture, polyester is one of the chemicals.) I find that some plastic knives will react to the chemicals in an orange rine and become so soft that the resultant plastic goo can be removed with a fingernail. (Quite evident if the plastic is black in color.) Maybe I could then, with the help of a chemist, track down the reaction and chemical byproducts. (whaug) 17:48, 060118

Well, I'm from Toronto, Ontario, Canada and here, cutlery means forks, knives and spoons. I have never heard someone call scissors cutlery, nor have I heard the term flatware in my life. Silverware is said sometimes, but is uncommon. -- Anyquestions 16:13, 19 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Globalise?

Some one was tagged this article "globalise", complaining that it is all about western tableware. I seriously wonder how useful it would be to do that. It is my understnading that the Far East uses chopsticks (which are not cutlery, as they do not cut). Other regions use their fingers, sometimes with the assistance of a knife, but that would be better dealt with in an aricle on knives. An alternative might be to change the title to reflect its content better. Suggestions please. Peterkingiron 11:39, 25 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I agree on a relative irrelevance of that (ugly) tag, and share exactly your thoughts regarding chopsticks (for example). I'm not specialized on the topic, but inhowfar "cutlery" is used to refer to something else than that of the "western world" the article is about? It does not pretend to be about something else than "cutlery". I strongly encourage the next person who also shares this opinion to remove that "worldwide" tag.— MFH:Talk 21:31, 28 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

PS: finally, I did remove it already now, and added "in the western world" to the 1st phrase. It had already been there and then deleted earlier, if I understand well the history.

However, the chopstick would deserve a little phrase + link somewhere in the article, I think. — MFH:Talk 21:51, 28 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Odd Photo

Am I alone in finding the "used cutlery" photo rather an odd, not to see mildly revolting, choice? Also, the caption could be read as implying that plates and drinking glasses are classed as cutlery. Mutt Lunker 22:05, 7 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

agree on both issues: I removed that pic and moved up again the "modern" image. — MFH:Talk 21:51, 28 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

A notable Cutler ?

Should mention be made to the profession and notable professionals in the field of Cutlery / Knife Making. I am refering especially to Jody Samson [1]. He has made several swords for notable films. (eg. Conan the Barbarian, First Knight, The Mask of Zorro, Blade, Blind Fury, Batman & Robin, Batman Forever). His apprentice specifically calls herself a cutler [2] while Jody only refers to the profession of Cutlery. Exit2DOS2000^•T•C• 19:07, 23 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I would suggest the fact that Jody does not have an article is a good reason for not adding a link. Furthermore, the production of swords or knives for use on film sets is hardly a major aspect of cutlery production. Peterkingiron (talk) 21:46, 28 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Portugese

Some one has properly reverted the statement that the Portugese introduced cutlery to England. This is certainly wrong for the knife and the spoon, but who did introduce the fork? Peterkingiron (talk) 21:45, 11 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]