I just received my order of flatware. I ordered one 20-piece set, as I wasn't sure if I would like it and figured paying for return shipment on one set would be cheaper than multiple sets.
I love the weight and feel of the flatware. I specifically researched heavier, casual flatware. (I found a website that sells flatware and had a specific page listing the heaviest sets out there Gingko Firenze was listed. They were selling the 20 piece set for more than Amazon, though.)
The price here on Amazon, I think, is an awesome deal!
I gave 4 stars, and not 5, for this reason: the knife handles. Another reviewer seemed bothered about hollow-handled knives that came with this set. In my research, it seems that (for stainless flatware) hollow-handled knives are of better quality than solid knives. The maker can use hollow handles and insert higher-quality knife blades, rather than stamping the whole solid knife out of one piece of metal.
In fact, looking at Ginkgo's own site (where they sell Firenze, but again, at a higher cost than here on Amazon,) they sell both solid knives and hollow-handled knives. The hollow-handled knives are more expensive.
So in my limited, internet-researched opinion, one would WANT hollow-handled knives.
I was looking forward to getting my 20-piece set with hollow-handled knives, but my set seems to have solid knives. Oh well it's still a great price, and really, the knives are the least used pieces of our flatware.
So for getting solid knives instead of hollow-handled, I gave the 4 stars instead of 5.
As for other reviewers' comments on the balance of the flatware and having them fall off of dishes I don't know. My flatware is usually on the table, and if I'm walking around or clearing the table, I tend to make sure the flatware is fully on the plate.
Overall great price, great look and feel, very happy! I just ordered a few more 20-piece sets!
I was having quite a time replacing my silverware. I wanted service for 12, 18/10 stainless, heavy, and minimal design. I also had a very modest budget. This flatware has been great; it fit all of my requirements and then some. And with the four for three promotion, I was able to get service for 16! The knives are very sharp without being serrated, and they feel great in the hand. I personally feel that the larger spoon is a little too large, but it certainly isn't an issue.
Overall, I am very happy with my purchase. As I've only had this flatware for a couple of months, I can't really attest to their wear. I will try and update in 6 months to a year.
UPDATE 1/15/12:
I've had this flatware for about 6 months now, and it's really holding up. Really, my only issue is that there are these little spots on them. It could be the flatware itself, or it could be my terrible terrible dishwasher/city water/detergent. Using barkeeper's friend, though, the spots come right off.
Buy Ginkgo Firenze 20-Piece Stainless Steel Flatware Set, Service for 4 Now
This flatware is very heavy, which is why we chose it. The knife blades are sharper than typical and not serrated. We noticed two issues though: the knife handles are hollow and don't feel like the rest of the set. A couple of handles had minor but noticeable rough spots on the ends.
After using the flatware for quite a while now, we've decided that such heavy handles are a hassle. If you leave a handle hanging over the edge of a bowl or plate the additional weight causes it to tip sometimes. That happens surprisingly often. That's not a criticism of this flatware, just an observation.
Read Best Reviews of Ginkgo Firenze 20-Piece Stainless Steel Flatware Set, Service for 4 Here
It's absolutely perfect in every way. I bought 3 sets because I loved it so much. Simple yet stylish.
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I've been using my Ginko Firenze flatware for almost a year now and am very pleased with my purchase. When it came time to finally retire my inherited, lower end flatware I looked and many, many patterns for weeks on end to find some I liked. After trying several other patterns from various makers none really completely satisfied me until I received the this set. The flatware is the most comfortable to hold of any I have ever used. The wide, smooth handle makes this pattern a joy to eat with (not something I really thought about until I started shopping for flatware). The pattern is quite heavy which I really like. Not the heaviest I tried but still much more substantial than most and a perfect weight for me.
I guess I lucked out on my order because I received the higher end hollow handle knives, not the solid handle knives the other reviewer received. Also, my set if very well finished with no rough spots anywhere on any of the pieces. I found the pattern to be better looking in person than in the pictures.
I only have a couple of minor quibbles. I wouldn't mind the soup spoon being a little longer. Also, as mentioned in another review, since there is a lot of weight in the handles there is a tendency to fall off the plate if you hang the handle over the edge of the plate. I don't find this to be an issue at all since I know it will happen and just don't hang the handles over the edge when walking to the kitchen.
I think this Ginko set is very good bargain when comparing it to the $60/set patterns I tried before settling on the Firenze.
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I'm quite upset about this product, considering I bought it from a local hardware store and paid a premium for it, with misplaced confidence in the brand name. It lasted about 6 months (light home use) before the cheap plastic nut holding on the disc broke. (It's actually a small metal nut embedded in the larger plastic thumb-screw.)
