Oneida Flight, Lincoln, Mercer Modern Stainless Steel Flatware Review

Many of Oneida Modern flatware collections appear as direct antescedents of the brand's Classic department – and not incidentally so. The main reason for the similarity lies in contemporary aesthetic tastes: unobtrusive, even modest designs ideas that combine classic details from eastern and western cultures have gradually penetrated into contemporary way of thinking.

This is especially evident especially in tableware and other kitchen related products have evolved into a kind of fluid eclecticism that strives to combine various geometric and stylistic elements as effortlessly and as naturally as possible. Indeed, nature emerges as a particularly significant influence – perhaps a sign to recent trends of eating more consciously, locally, and ecologically.

In this review we focus on three flatware lines: Flight, a design that calls up the simplicity of Paul Revere and Colonial Boston; Lincoln, featuring a complex, multi-layered handle ornament echoing Garnet; and Mercer, a two-tone (polished and satin) finish reminiscent of Easton and Pearl.

Let's take a closer look:

• Flight demonstrates the difference between Oneida Decorative and Modern divisions. Aquarius, a silverware collection in the former, exhibits a powerful slanting line that seems to mould the steel into a braid, or a rope. Flight carries a similar line, but in a very subtle mode, one lending the handles a textured and sophisticated appearance without any dramatic effects. A clean and assured layout.

• Lincoln is a rare Oneida in that it actually relishes contrast: the reversed triangle at the tip of the handles seems to clash with a similar, elongated geometrical shape, producing an imbalanced visual composition. Despite relying on a simple decorative pattern, we think it's one of the brand's most aesthetically engaging and interesting flatware collections.

• Mercer continues the entertaining note struck by Lincoln, but employs a two-tone finish to contrast the tip with the rest of the cutlery piece. The broad, strong architecture provides an alternative to the slender Easton, at the same time revealing some understated industrial sensibilities.