STAINLESS STEEL
BUY ONCE, BUY WELL
Stainless steel is a strong and durable material which is resistant to rust and corrosion. These qualities make it a wise choice for enduring homewares, whether in the kitchen, dining room or bathroom.
To create extraordinary designs, modern manufacturing techniques give us the freedom to sculpt both organic and geometric forms with precision. What other material can take such exact shapes, can be drawn to such extremes, without losing strength? Stainless steel lets us produce beautiful and enduring products, either traditional or contemporary pieces, all designed to be enjoyed for a lifetime.
But what makes stainless steel special to us? Why did Robert Welch begin designing cutlery and tableware in stainless steel, and how has our relationship with the material evolved in the 70 years since?
Quality 18/10 stainless steel
Your guarantee of quality and craftmanship for products designed to last a lifetime
Strength and Durability
Will withstand the rigours and demands of the modern home; in the kitchen, at the table, and in the bathroom
Resistant to rust and corrosion
No chrome plating, which can flake and age with use. High quality stainless steel keeps its finish and continues to function even in areas with high moisture
Heritage British Design
Robert Welch have been designing tableware and cutlery in stainless steel for almost 70 years
Sustainable material
Stainless steel can be used every day over many years and is 100% recyclable. No other material comes close!
Easy to clean and maintain
Just wipe with a microfibre cloth to return to a high polish finish. Most kitchen products are dishwasher safe, giving you more time to enjoy preparing and dining
AT HOME IN ALL CORNERS OF YOUR HOUSE
What makes stainless steel a good material for the home? Solid 18/10 stainless steel guarantees quality. Working with a material that lasts means that we focus on designing timeless pieces that both look great and function well, as, when things work as well as they possibly can, they become something people want to have around for as long as possible. Therefore we don’t want the look of our designs to date.
Stainless steel is an uncoated material, and therefore much more resistant to corrosion and rust than chrome-plated materials. Chrome plate can be used as a finish to make lower quality materials look good, but the costly plating won’t necessarily withstand the rigours of daily use. With Stainless steel, there is no need for plating to maintain the lustre and durability – it stands up to wear and tear all on its own.
The reliability of the material is demonstrated by the popularity of our bathroom ranges, Burford and Oblique. Stainless steel is an ideal material for the bathroom environment as, because it doesn't rust or corrode, it can be maintained easily with warm water and a microfibre cloth. This ensures that these products will help your bathroom to look immaculate for years to come. We make sure of this by manufacturing our Bathroom fixtures, fittings and accessories in as few pieces as possible, thereby increasing each product’s life.
Many of the shapes of the pieces we have designed since the 1950s have iconic profiles that stand as small sculptures in their own right.
AT HOME IN ALL CORNERS OF YOUR HOUSE
What makes stainless steel a good material for the home? Solid 18/10 stainless steel guarantees quality. Working with a material that lasts means that we focus on designing timeless pieces that both look great and function well, as, when things work as well as they possibly can, they become something people want to have around for as long as possible. Therefore we don’t want the look of our designs to date.
Many of the shapes of the pieces we have designed since the 1950s have iconic profiles that stand as small sculptures in their own right.
Stainless steel is an uncoated material, and therefore much more resistant to corrosion and rust than chrome-plated materials. Chrome plate can be used as a finish to make lower quality materials look good, but the costly plating won’t necessarily withstand the rigours of daily use. With Stainless steel, there is no need for plating to maintain the lustre and durability – it stands up to wear and tear all on its own.
The reliability of the material is demonstrated by the popularity of our bathroom ranges, Burford and Oblique. Stainless steel is an ideal material for the bathroom environment as, because it doesn't rust or corrode, it can be maintained easily with warm water and a microfibre cloth. This ensures that these products will help your bathroom to look immaculate for years to come. We make sure of this by manufacturing our Bathroom fixtures, fittings and accessories in as few pieces as possible, thereby increasing each product’s life.
IS STAINLESS STEEL A SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL?
Stainless steel is 100% recyclable! Stainless steel can be re-used multiple times as it does not degrade when reprocessed. The sustainability of stainless steel is unmatched compared to other metals.
Stainless steel is easy to care for and keep clean, which makes this durable material the obvious choice for creating long-lasting and quality cutlery. Now the norm, this wasn’t always the case. In the early 1950s whilst still a student of silversmithing at the Royal College of Art, Robert Welch, inspired by Scandinavian imports, influenced the popular use of stainless steel for the manufacture of cutlery. Stainless steel cutlery was first made from it around 1914 but following wartime factory requisitions in Britain, Sheffield-made stainless steel cutlery had become associated with rather poor quality.
All our cutlery is made from the finest quality 18/10 stainless steel. 18/10 grade stainless steel has the highest resistance to rust and stains because included in the stainless steel alloy is the highest percentage of chromium content (18%) combined with a high percentage of nickel (10%). The chromium enhances rust resistance, whilst the nickel adds lustre and shine.
WHEN WAS STAINLESS STEEL FIRST MADE?
It is hard to think of a world without stainless steel. As a material it has become ubiquitous with modern life. It is a metal that has revolutionised many areas of our lives over the last century and outperformed its competitors – carbon steel, copper and aluminium – so it is difficult to believe that stainless steel is a relatively new innovation, having only first been produced in 1913.
There is some debate about its origins; experiments were being carried out as early as the 1820s into the resistance of iron-chromium alloys to certain acids, but the correct proportions of chromium to carbon content had yet to be fully understood. Experiments with different applications were taking place in America, England, France and Germany, amongst others, to create an alloy with a resistance to corrosion.
In England, in 1913, Harry Brearley of Sheffield discovered what he called ‘rustless’ steel, which had a 12.8% chromium content. It was soon after rechristened ‘stainless’. Brearly instigated Sheffield manufacturers to find novel applications for the new alloy.
1955, Macro photograph of stainless steel. Cover of Robert Welch's student thesis
WHEN WAS STAINLESS STEEL FIRST MADE?
It is hard to think of a world without stainless steel. As a material it has become ubiquitous with modern life. It is a metal that has revolutionised many areas of our lives over the last century and outperformed its competitors – carbon steel, copper and aluminium – so it is difficult to believe that stainless steel is a relatively new innovation, having only first been produced in 1913.
1955, Macro photograph of stainless steel. Cover of Robert Welch's student thesis
There is some debate about its origins; experiments were being carried out as early as the 1820s into the resistance of iron-chromium alloys to certain acids, but the correct proportions of chromium to carbon content had yet to be fully understood. Experiments with different applications were taking place in America, England, France and Germany, amongst others, to create an alloy with a resistance to corrosion.
In England, in 1913, Harry Brearley of Sheffield discovered what he called ‘rustless’ steel, which had a 12.8% chromium content. It was soon after rechristened ‘stainless’. Brearly instigated Sheffield manufacturers to find novel applications for the new alloy.
Stainless steel is a corrosion-resistant alloy, made up of iron, chromium and other component metals. Its resilience as a metal comes from the addition of the alloying element chromium which protects the surface of the metal.
We believe in enhancing the everyday with impactful, long-lasting design for the home, and we have been doing so since 1955. Beauty and functionality go hand in hand, whether designing practical objects for the bathroom, a centrepiece candelabra or cutlery on the dining table, kitchen knives, or a useful tool in the kitchen.
Durable, versatile and hygienic, stainless steel has been our wonder material for 70 years. Our pieces are designed to last a lifetime, with many destined to become collectors’ items.