Liberty Tabletop is the best. If need be you can buy it over time, they sell separates

Bought a higher end Oneida set over 30 years ago, it still looks practically new. I think it was $40 for 8 place settings that includes both kinds of forks teaspoons tablespoons dinner knives various serving spoons, sporks and forks.

They also have 15% off right now (black friday).

Get their cheapest sets and they are still great (with designs).

I have an Oneida 18/10 set that is 30 years old and still surviving 4 kids and hard use. Like they abuse the heck out of it, and it’s in the dishwasher daily. I have the “Easton” style which is simple, heavy and durable. Might meet your needs.

I like being original, but I see that Oneida has already been mentioned a couple times. It's working great in my household for 3-4 years now! Picked it up at a discount store locally, wasn't more than $10 per 4 person place setting.

I think it’s whatever you like! But, I’d recommend buying more than you need so you never have to worry that you can’t replace certain lost/damaged pieces.

If you like japanese-style minimalism, I adore the Sori Yanagi flatware. Classic design, simple but not ordinary.

i do...checking it out hopefully not too expensive....house is japandi

I was at BBB and saw some flatware that didn’t bend at all for cheap. Might wanna go to the store and check it out?

I'll second Liberty Tabletop. I was ready to spend ten times as much before finding this brand, and price versus quality it's a great value. You can see how the tines are cut at the ends, and they had some polishing compound left on them, but they feel good in hand, the polish quality is good, and the pattern is great.

I'm still using my Wm. Rogers 1881 by Oneida flatware that I bought in the 1970s. Augmented with various pieces from other companies over the years.

Flatware is graded by weight. You can read about the various weights here:

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/guide/585/different-types-of-flatware.html

I like heavyweight the best.

A tip: when you're considering a set and a pattern, pay attention to the times of the forks. You will find that there are differences from pattern to pattern.

I'm responding in particular to your "affordable" parameter.

A favorite restaurant of mine uses flatware from Sam's Club that couldn't be more minimalistic and affordable. Each piece is one piece Stainless steel, so no rust, no joints to come loose or gather germs. Google "Member's Mark Stainless Steel Dinner Knife Set (36 ct.)" and similar for spoons / forks. 36 of the knives sell for $13.86 USD.

I’m a fan of Amefa Premiere. I noticed over a few years that it is what a lot of higher end restaurants in continental Europe and the UK use. Weighty, durable 18/10 stainless steel. I’ve had mine for about 8 years with no signs of wear or rust. I bought mine from a restaurant supplier.

I like it..especially the Tokyo line...wondering how I can grab a set and if it's crazy expensive

I bought 2 x 26 piece sets (12 persons plus 4 serving spoons) and it was £113 for both. Not sure how that factors in your budget, but at the time I was buying it seemed favourably priced compared to other higher end cutlery.

I bought Liberty last year, and it has been great so far.

I got an 18/10 stainless steel set from Mikasa about 2 years ago that still look brand new after daily use. I’m very happy with them. It was also super affordable.

I really like Liberty Flatware for this. One of the last US based silverware manufacturers. https://www.libertytabletop.com/

We bought an IKEA Dragon flatware set back when we started grad school ~11 years ago and it's held up great, zero issues. A couple pieces have been for a spin in the garbage disposal and haven't even rusted where they got dinged up. It's super minimalist, and, I think, pretty affordable. We recently ordered another set to replenish ours because I don't know why, I don't know how, but flatware just disappears with kids in the house.

thoughts on these?
https://lemeya.com/en-ca/products/lemeya-minimalist-flatware?variant=43320619434209

"All flatware sets are 15% off with code BF2022!"

uses BF2022 on a flatware set

"This coupon is not applicable for this flatware set!"

I'd contact them. If it says all...hey that's all.

I've definitely used codes before ordering multiple different sets.

Hey Siri; open a reminder for this in 50 years.

Are you kidding me? These days it's ALL stainless. It ain't goin' nowhere - even the cheap stuff. You need something cheap? I'd go to my local thrift shop, and sort through what's there. Just get something heavier weight. The Sam's Club idea sounds like a possible winner.

We've got some silver plate serving spoons from my Grandma. They never get used, for obvious reasons. My son, now adult, got entranced by "old stuff" somewhere along the way. He's picked up a fair supply of old silverplate - but none of it likely predates my childhood. Some has got the brass showing through. I have very clear childhood memories of having to polish the silver. Not fond memories, either. Nobody really cares about what the flatware looks like anymore.

I can't even understand why anyone would WANT a complete flatware set these days. Unless you were planning on "entertaining" - but in that case I'd worry more about the quality and presentation of the FOOD. Make that amazing, and nobody's gonna notice what the forks look like.

And as a bonus you get to tell people about the sex commune! It’s a bizarre, but 100% true story. If you haven’t heard about it it is worth a read.

This was my first response as well

[deleted]