Carving Sets

Your guide to Carving Sets

Two pieces or three?

A two-piece set is the carving knife and fork. A three-piece adds a steel. The steel doesn’t sharpen the knife in the sense of grinding metal away — it realigns an edge that has rolled over with use, and a few passes before you start will keep a good knife cutting cleanly through a joint rather than tearing at it. If you already keep a steel or a sharpener in the kitchen, the two-piece set is the sensible buy. If this is a gift, the three-piece looks and feels like the complete thing.

What “guarded” means

A guarded carving fork has a pivoting bar beside the tines that swings out while you carve. If the knife slips off the bone, the guard stops it reaching your hand. It’s the traditional British pattern and worth having if you carve often — or if you’re buying for someone who does.

Choosing a material

Sterling silver is the heirloom choice and the one to pick if you’re matching a sterling canteen. Silver plate gives the same look at a fraction of the price and is the most popular choice for a carving set that comes out at Christmas and Easter. Stainless steel is the everyday option — hard-wearing, no polishing. Cream handle sets have the look of the old bone-handled carvers, made to last in a way the originals never quite did.

Matching the cutlery you already own

This is the part most shops can’t help with. Our carving sets are made in the same patterns as our cutlery ranges — Old English, Rattail, Kings, Bead, Grecian, Harley, Dubarry, Baguette and more — so if you have a canteen, there is very likely a carving set to go with it. If you’re not certain which pattern you own, send us a photograph and we’ll identify it.Handled sets are generally best washed by hand.

Free UK delivery on orders over £50.