knife blades

[annschweiss]

Can anyone tell me when Sterling Manufacturers in the US stopped using silverplated blades? I'm getting some conflicting information. Some sources say it was in the 1920's, others say after WWII.

[larrywseale]

Stainless steel has been around since the early 19th century but those alloys were very expensive, brittle and prone to corrosion (seen even today when a stainless blade gets black pits under certain conditions). Two men, a Brit named Harry Brearley and American Elwood Hayes, were working on the problem and both applied for patents around 1914. WWI stalled development because chromium was needed for the war effort. After the war ended, the two men learned of each other & rather that fight, joined forces. Stainless blades on flatware were introduced in 1919 and the rest is history.

[annschweiss]

I just found your response and appreciate the information! Thanks, Ann