Scanpan Cutlery Set: What to Expect
Scanpan is a Danish cookware brand that's earned a strong reputation in the Australian and New Zealand markets, and increasingly internationally, for their quality non-stick cookware. Their cutlery set line extends that reputation into table and kitchen cutlery. If you're looking at Scanpan cutlery, here's what you need to know.
What Scanpan Offers in Cutlery
Scanpan produces cutlery in a few formats:
Kitchen knife sets: Complete block sets and individual kitchen knives for cooking tasks, including chef's knives, santokus, bread knives, and paring knives.
Table cutlery sets: Dinner knives, forks, spoons, and dessert pieces in matching sets, typically 16-piece, 20-piece, or 24-piece configurations for 4-6 place settings.
Specialized pieces: Steak knives, carving sets, and kitchen accessories.
This guide focuses primarily on their table cutlery sets, though the kitchen knife information is also covered.
Scanpan Table Cutlery: Design and Materials
Scanpan's table cutlery is made from 18/10 stainless steel (18% chromium, 10% nickel). This is the standard specification for quality table cutlery: the chromium provides corrosion resistance and the nickel provides the bright polish and additional corrosion protection that distinguishes quality flatware from cheaper options.
The 10% nickel content is important for brightness and durability. Budget flatware often uses 18/0 stainless (no nickel), which is duller in finish and less resistant to corrosion over time. Scanpan's use of 18/10 places them in the quality tier of table cutlery.
Weight and Gauge
Scanpan table cutlery has a solid, substantial weight that feels appropriately formal and well-made. The gauge (thickness of the metal) is noticeably heavier than budget flatware, which contributes to this feel.
Quality flatware shouldn't flex when you apply normal cutting pressure. Scanpan's pieces hold their shape and feel solid in use.
Scanpan Cutlery Set Sizes
Common configurations available in the Scanpan cutlery range:
16-piece set: Covers 4 place settings with dinner knife, dinner fork, salad/dessert fork, and soup spoon per person.
20-piece set: Covers 4 place settings with 5 pieces per person (typically adds a teaspoon to the 16-piece configuration).
24-piece set: 6 complete place settings for larger households or those who regularly entertain.
Design Aesthetic
Scanpan's table cutlery reflects Danish design principles: clean lines, contemporary proportions, and restrained elegance without heavy ornamentation. This makes them versatile across different table settings, from casual to semi-formal.
The finish options typically include mirror polish (high-gloss, formal) and satin/brushed (more contemporary, hides fingerprints better). The satin finish is increasingly popular in modern kitchens because it looks intentional rather than trying-too-hard-to-be-formal.
For recommendations on how cutlery fits into a complete kitchen setup, see Best Kitchen Cutlery Set and Best Cutlery Knives.
Scanpan Kitchen Knife Line
Alongside table cutlery, Scanpan produces kitchen knife sets under their Classic and Spectrum lines. These are separate from their table cutlery but often purchased together by buyers who want coordinated kitchen tools.
The kitchen knives use German-influenced stainless steel appropriate for mid-range home kitchen use. The chef's knife, santoku, and utility knife designs are practical and well-balanced.
How Scanpan Compares to Other Cutlery Brands
At similar prices, Scanpan competes with:
Maxwell & Williams: Australian and NZ market focus, similar 18/10 stainless quality. Good value, less Danish design heritage.
Oneida: American brand with over 150 years of silversmithing heritage. Excellent quality, comparable pricing.
Villeroy & Boch: German brand, premium positioning, similar or higher price for comparable quality. More traditional European formal design.
Zwilling: Their cutlery line uses excellent quality stainless, premium positioning, higher prices.
Scanpan's advantage for Australian and New Zealand buyers is availability, local brand familiarity, and competitive pricing at their specific retailers.
Care for Scanpan Table Cutlery
18/10 stainless flatware care:
- Dishwasher safe: Yes. Scanpan table cutlery is designed for dishwasher use. Avoid high-temperature dry cycles for extended periods to prevent water spotting.
- Separation from other metals: Keep stainless cutlery separate from silver or silver-plated pieces in the dishwasher to prevent galvanic reactions.
- Dry promptly: Water spots on stainless are more visible on mirror finishes. Removing cutlery promptly from the dishwasher and drying it prevents spotting.
- Avoid prolonged contact with acidic foods: Lemon juice, vinegar-based sauces, and salt left on stainless for extended periods can cause pitting on lower-quality stainless. 18/10 handles this better than 18/0, but prompt washing is still good practice.
FAQ
Is Scanpan cutlery genuinely Danish? Scanpan is a Danish brand with design headquarters in Denmark. Their products are designed in Denmark, though manufacturing occurs at various facilities. The brand heritage and design philosophy are authentically Danish.
How does Scanpan table cutlery differ from their kitchen knife line? Table cutlery (dinner knives, forks, spoons) uses 18/10 stainless with proportions designed for dining use. Kitchen knife sets use harder stainless steel appropriate for food prep tasks. They're separate product lines that can be purchased together for a coordinated kitchen aesthetic.
Are Scanpan cutlery sets good gifts? Yes. The presentation is professional, the 16-piece and 20-piece sets are practical gift sizes for new households, weddings, and housewarmings, and the brand recognition is positive in Australia and NZ.
Where can I buy Scanpan cutlery? Kitchen Warehouse, Myer, and similar kitchen specialty retailers in Australia carry the full range. Online, the Scanpan website and major Australian online retailers stock their cutlery line. International availability is more limited.
Conclusion
Scanpan cutlery sets deliver Danish design sensibility and genuine 18/10 stainless quality at mid-range prices. They're practical for everyday dining, attractive enough for more formal occasions, and well-made enough to last for years with normal care. For buyers in Australia and New Zealand who want a complete table cutlery set from a trusted kitchen brand, they're a logical choice.