I have Gorham Shell. It has held up for years. I like the weight and balance, which is important to me.

DD got hers about 3 years ago. It is Lenox Jewel, a simple design with good weight and balance.

My sister has Reed and Barton that looks similar to mine, but I cannot remember the pattern name. I think this is it

I know I've mentioned balance twice, but I cannot stand to pick it up a utensil only find out that it is so unbalanced you nearly drop it. I also do no like flatware that is so "cute" the knife rolls off the plate when it is put in the proper location.

Another thing to consider is choosing stainless that can be bought either per piece or, at a minimum, per place setting. If it is only sold as a set, it is difficult to replace lost pieces or to add pieces. DD's is generally sold per place setting, but I discovered I could purchase teaspoons individually at Replacements.

Good luck and let us know what you choose!

I have a set of Gorham that has a nice weight. I had Nouveau (still have it put away for extras if needed) but bought a new set that I can't remember the name of right now. I found some sets whe it had been discontiued, but really liked it so I hunted down extras and added some of the extra pieces (iced tea spoons, demitasse spoons and cocktail forks) from Replacements while they were still reasonably priced. The Gorham patterns seem to be faily consistent in weight. Not all makers are.

I bought a set of Onieda Moda for my son that I was surprised to find out is even heavier than mine -- surprisingly heavy. He is 6'3" and has large hands, so he really likes it. I bought it as a set from Macy's, but I added a few pieces and a set of steak knives from Bed Bath & Beyond 3 years later

My parents had that same Reed & Barton set. My younger son has it now.

If you find a pattern in sets, search online to find out who has it and whether you can find extra pieces. One store may only carry sets (like Macys above) and another only carry stock by the place setting or piece (BB&B in my case).

I have Yamazaki Grandin. It's heavy and the pieces are big. Some Yamazaki made for the big box stores is much less substantial so beware.

http://yamazakitableware.com/site/categories/Flatware/Stainless-Collection/Grandin/

Edit - they're making it 18/8 now.

Buy it from restaurant supply places!

This is where I get mine from:

https://store.restaurantproducts.us/cart/category/39/FlatwareCorby_Hall/1/

the Corby Hall is just one of the brands they sell. Tons to choose from. Make sure it's 18/10. If you don't meet the minimum amount required, which I didn't, at least when I bought mine, they had a $35 fee if you were below the minimum. Worth it to get a dozen of each specific item you want, serving spoons, etc.

From what I understand, it is important to buy made in America as stainless from China often is made with recycled stainless, even though it will say 18/10. and be a reputable brand. The recycled stainless eventually rusts.

I have stainless from Oneida that is 30 years old and has not had one single spot ever but the newer is not so. When I found this out, I bought many place settings on eBay made in the now closed Oneida plant

The recycled stainless eventually rusts.

FWIW, I had American-made stainless that I bought in the 70s develop rust. On the other hand, my Chinese-made Oneida never has, so you can't go just by that, I don't think.

It seems that, like many furniture brands, stainless flatware manufacturers that used to be excellent may now put out an inferior product. Very frustrating!

Check out this link for USA made.

http://libertytabletop.com/

I plan to get a set from them for my B-day.

I have Gorham Nouveau. Had it since the mid or late 70's I think, when I finally replaced some Dansk that I didn't like from early in my first marriage. I still like it although I wish I had a few more soup spoons but they are ridiculously expensive. Almost as much on Replacements as my silver. I'd buy the best you can afford and take the advice others have already given regarding balance, how it fits on your plate, etc.

outsideplaying -- that is why I got a new set -- I couldn't justify spending what it would tak to try to build my Nouveu to the larger nmber I needed when we were having 15-20 people on a pretty regular basis. I think I have 24 place settings plus extra pieces in the new pattern (Monet) that I got from Home Goods, TJ Maxx and an online source.

OMG, I just looked up Replacements prices on the Nouveu. A place setting of the Nouveu is actually more than a place setting in my mother's sterling pattern. Mine is packed in a shoe box. I kept it for one of the boys to use or just in case I needed more, but it's too feminine and I was able to buy them inexpensive sets they liked better for college. With 24 place settings in the Monet, I haven't needed it. Can't believe it has gone up so much since then.

Looked up the Monet too. Good thing I bought more when I could find it. It isn't as bad as the Nouveu, but wow!

aputernut, I have the Oneida Michaelangelo, too. Dishwashed constantly, still beautiful, and love it.

Try some antique stores. There is a lot of flat wear available at antique stores, for a reasonable cost. In addition the older sets are made a lot better than the newer sets. Good luck, happy hunting!

Lascatx - wow - I just looked at the Restoration prices for Gorham Monet - I have 3 sets (8 place settings each) of Frosted Monet that I bought for our vacation home about 10 years ago. I paid $49.00 for one set at Marshall's and $39.99 for 2 more sets at Boscov's.

Now I'm looking to replace my 25 year old Oneida at home and I'm having trouble finding anything as nice as the Gorham.

Maire

Just saw at Costco several well-known brands of 18/10 flatware-Mikasa, Gorham and several others. Felt quite sturdy and well-balanced. I bought my set in Sam's several years ago...still looks great.

Marie -- I boght mine in sets of 4 place settings and maybe some in a larger set. I felt a little silly, but the Nouveau was discontinued not that long after I got it. Seems all my picks were, so I knew I needed to go see if I could find enough quickly. I'm glad I did. I think I paid similar prices. How nice that you found enough in the frosted and I have never seen the frosted except in an online photo but found enough of the plain. I was just telling DH about this and the prices for these now. I'm torn between trying to find a few pieces of Nouveau and just selling what I have. It's crazy. Hope you can find something you like -- maybe a new Gorham pattern?

Walnutcreek and puternut, I also have Michelangelo. I love it. I think it is now made in China, when I bought mine it was still made in the USA. The newer stuff is not comparable. If I had to choose new I would go with Liberty like Rory posted.

I agree, Holly-Kay. My old Michelangelo is beautiful after many years of use. However, several months ago, I purchased some new replacement teaspoons on eBay. I was shocked at the lackluster finish and was very disappointed. Now I don't trust ordering other replacements, for example I need some more forks.

Good stainless is very pricey. Look on eBay and buy a set of sterling flatware and use it daily.