Why this table knive earns its place
This is the main-course knife from Lockhart's economy cutlery — polished 18/0 stainless steel, silver finish, Plain handle with no bead or decoration. It lays on the right of every cover and works against the fork through the principal dish, which makes it the piece guests judge a table on: a table knife that flexes, spots or sits badly in the hand is noticed long before anyone looks at the plate.
The grade is what makes an economy pattern possible. The figures in 18/0 are the chromium and nickel content, so this is chromium stainless with no nickel — harder and brighter than nickel-bearing steel, and cheaper per piece by a wide margin. In return it wants sensible handling: knives should not sit in a soak bin, and they should come out of the wash and be dried rather than left standing wet, which is what puts water spotting and dulling on nickel-free steel in hard-water areas.
One practical point at the point of order. This is a bladed product, so sale is restricted to customers aged 18 and over and proof of age can be required on delivery — worth knowing if deliveries at your site are normally taken by whoever is nearest the door.
