Two digits stamped on the back of flatware describe the alloy, and that alloy predicts how the piece will look after a decade of dishwashers more reliably than the price does.
What the Numbers Measure
The first figure is the percentage of chromium; the second is nickel. So 18/10 is eighteen per cent chromium and ten per cent nickel, with the remainder essentially iron.
Chromium is what makes steel stainless. It reacts with oxygen to form an invisible passive layer that protects the metal underneath and repairs itself when scratched.
Nickel does something different: it changes the crystal structure, which improves resistance to pitting and staining and gives the metal a slightly warmer, softer shine.
The Practical Differences
- 18/10: the warmest finish and the best resistance to pitting; the alloy for a set meant to last decades
- 18/8: so similar in behaviour that the two are frequently used interchangeably
- 18/0: no nickel, magnetic, cheaper, and the sensible choice where somebody reacts to nickel
- 18/0 stains more readily, so it wants drying rather than draining
- Silverplate: a silver layer over a base metal, needing polishing rather than just washing
Alloy guidance published alongside a catalogue, of the kind at oneida-us.com, is worth reading once, because the alloy is stated on the listing and it is the specification that actually predicts longevity.
Why 18/10 Costs More
Nickel is considerably more expensive than chromium and its price fluctuates. That is essentially the whole reason for the gap between 18/10 and 18/0 sets.
Whether it is worth paying depends on how long you intend to keep the set. For something bought to last thirty years, the difference is small annualised. For a first flat, 18/0 is entirely reasonable.
The Magnet Test
18/0 is magnetic and 18/10 generally is not, which gives a rough field test where nothing is stamped.
It is not conclusive, since some pieces are made from different grades in different parts, and knife blades are frequently a harder magnetic steel even in an 18/10 set. That is normal rather than a sign of a cheap set.
Type 304
The 18/10 and 18/8 grades correspond to what industry calls Type 304, the same alloy family specified for commercial kitchen equipment because of how it handles acid and salt.
That is a useful reference point: it is not a special flatware material but a well-established food-contact steel.
Nickel Sensitivity
Nickel contact allergy is common, and for anyone affected, 18/0 is the practical option since it contains none.
Anyone who suspects a reaction should discuss it with a GP or dermatologist rather than diagnosing it from a fork, since contact dermatitis has several possible causes.