Production

From blank to finished flatware

A number of processing operations have to be undergone to produce a gleaming, well crafted item of flatware from raw stainless steel. Around thirty different process steps are required, to complete a good-quality spoon or knife.
J.A. HENCKELS INTERNATIONAL places considerable emphasis on high-quality raw material and takes special care at every stage in the production of its flatware.

1. Forks and spoons

Our flatware is usually made of high-grade 18/10 chrome-nickel steel. The principal production stages, now increasingly automated, are:

• Blanks are stamped out of metal sheets.
  
• The functional element, i.e. the wide forward section, is flattened by rolling.
  
• This end is then stamped to produce the eventual functional shape, the prongs for a fork and the bowl for a spoon.
  
• A subsequent pressing process shapes the prongs and bowls.
• The handle is then shaped.
  
• The smooth, sealed surface finish is produced by a number of finishing processes such as grinding and polishing.
  
• In the case of silver-plated cutlery only, further processing in the form of silver plating takes place.