Forks, knives & spoons

by Peri Wolfman

Part of the fun in collecting is the search for new and unusual pieces, and Peri and Charley have amassed delicate coin silver tea spoons, bone-handled knives with rusted steel blades, wood-handled forks with decorative rivets, and picnic ware with bright Bakelite handles. They share the history behind the countless unusual serving pieces - baked-potato forks, bread knives, and olive spoons among them - that date to Victorian times, and they identify the 20 place setting pieces still in manufacture today. The resource section offers advice on the care, cleaning, and storage of silver, steel, Bakelite, bone and more.