---
title: "Sourcing Stainless Steel Cutlery (Flatware)"
summary: "18/10 vs 18/0. Understanding steel grades and polishing levels in Jieyang."
category: "guide"
date: "2026-03-09"
author: "Withyou Trip Sourcing Team"
image: "/images/blog/sourcing-cutlery-hero.png"
---
# Forks & Knives: Sourcing Flatware
Phase 2. Often next to Kitchenware.
## 1. Steel Grades (The Secret Code)
* **18/10 (304 Stainless):** Premium. Contains Nickel. Rustproof. Shinier.
* **18/0 (430 Stainless):** Standard. Magnetic. Can rust if left wet. Cheaper.
* **13/0 (410 Stainless):** Cheap. Used for knives (harder) or cafeteria cutlery.
## 2. Production Hub
* **Jieyang:** The undisputed capital of cutlery in China.
* **Strategy:** If you deal with a trading company in Guangzhou, they are likely sourcing from Jieyang. Go direct.
## 3. Polishing Levels
* **Mirror Polish:** Perfect reflection. Manual labor intensive.
* **Hand Polish:** Good, but slight blur.
* **Tumble Polish:** Industrial finish (matte/scratched look). Cheapest.
## 4. PVD Coating
* Gold/Rose Gold/Black cutlery is "PVD Coated" (Physical Vapor Deposition).
* **Durability:** It is hard but not invincible. Dishwashers can fade it over 5 years.
## Summary
Test with a magnet.
* Stick = 18/0 (Cheaper).
* No Stick = 18/10 (Premium).
This is the quickest way to check quality at the booth.