How much actual silver is in a knife of my sterling silver flatware service? Is my sterling silver knife made of 100% solid silver?

Gorham La Scala Sterling Silver Knives

How much actual silver is in a knife of my sterling silver flatware service? Is my sterling silver knife made of 100% solid silver?

The knives in a typical sterling silver flatware service are not all 100% sterling silver. The blade is usually made of stainless steel or in some cases in of silver plate. The handle is just 2 thin shells of sterling silver that are welded together and then filled with epoxy. The knife blade is then attached and this is the basic make up of the mechanics of your sterling silver knife.

It depends on the pattern, but most knives are going to have an average content of about 1/2 of a troy ounces of total net sterling silver. Some more ornate and heavier patterns like Grande Baroque by Wallace or Francis 1 by Reed & Barton may have more closer to 1 troy ounce.

Why does this even matter do you ask? If you go to sell your sterling flatware and it is not a pattern that fetches more money than its scrap value, then knowing the weight of the knives is important in receiving a fair offer. Most dealers will estimate your knives at .40 to .50 troy ounces when evaluating your set when making an offer to purchase. The knives might actually contain more silver than this, but the cost to take apart the knives is expensive and must be accounted for when estimating. The smaller butter spreaders will usually be estimated at .25 troy ounces. All hollow handled serving pieces like pie/cake servers or wedding cake knives are usually at .50 troy ounces. Carving Sets are usually 1 ounce for the two piece set.

Conclusion: Although your knives are sterling silver, they don't contain the gross weight of between 1.5 to 2.5 troy ounces but more like a net amount .50 to 1 troy ounces each of sterling silver. Don't put your knives on the scale with the rest of your flatware when going to sell! Expect to receive even less than the net content to offset the cost of disassembling the knives which is a costly and messy procedure.

Sterling Silver Guide and Sterling Silver Buyers

is Actively Buying All Silver

We are Buyers for your Sterling Silver Collections of flatware, hollowware and jewelry as well as your scrap silver pieces.

We don't just buy for scrap value, but we always try to pay more for your items antique silver value and potential re-sale value.

We want to purchase your antique silver collections.

If your items are just worth money only for their silver value, we give a nationally competitive top dollar scrap silver rate.

Please get our offer before you sell.

 Please feel free to send us your inventory list and photos of any sterling items you'd like to sell. We typically will have an offer to you within 24-48 hours.

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Thanks,

Greg Arbutine

Sterling Silver Guide and Sterling Silver Buyers Owner

Sterling Silver Buyers and Sterling Silver Guide wants to purchase your antique silver collections of flatware and hollowware items as well as any of your scrap silver pieces! Please sell your sterling silver items to Sterling Silver Buyers and Sterling Silver Guide.