Store Reopening Information
Our Discontinued Cutlery guide will help you discover similar alternatives to each range, selected by our Robert Welch experts. We have specialised in cutlery design for over 70 years, and in that time designs have inevitably had to be improved or retired.
If you don’t remember the name of your cutlery or are unable to find your cutlery on our website, this guide will help you to identify and date your vintage, old or current cutlery design.
Once you have found your cutlery, this guide can help you to find alternative additions in our current cutlery ranges to complement your design or help you to search for second-hand pieces to match your historic cutlery patterns.
If you are unable to find your cutlery design after looking at this guide please contact the Customer Care Team for further help.
Campden
Campden cutlery was Robert Welch's first cutlery design, 1956, designed in conjunction with David Mellor (whose version was named ‘Spring’). Both were only produced in a Satin finish. Dawn Bright, a later version of the design, was made in Sheffield in the 1990s. Unfortunately, there are no alternatives to this vintage pattern but it can be bought second hand. Explore our timeless Cutlery Collection.
Alveston
Alveston cutlery, made in Sheffield for Old Hall Tableware, launched in 1963. It became known as RWI in the 1990s, and was later redesigned as RW2. RW2 is a good alternative, however it is heavier (both versions of Alveston & RWI had hollow handles) and the individual pieces measure a little larger, the fork tines are longer and soup bowls wider. Explore RW2 Cutlery.
Bistro
Bistro cutlery was designed in the 1960s in conjunction with Harrison Fisher, Sheffield, and Old Hall Tableware sold it from 1963. Bistro originally had riveted rosewood handles, it was modified in the 1970s to have riveted plastic handles. Today’s version of this pattern, Trattoria features handles which are moulded straight onto the tang. Explore our Master Cutlery Collection.
Premier
Premier was originally part of the Courtier cutlery collection, for Villeroy & Boch Tableware. It was available in stainless steel, silver plate or sterling silver, the latter hallmarked RW Sheffield. Premier, originally hollow handled, was redesigned as a monobloc pattern in 2003 and named Radford after Robert Welch's middle name. Radford won’t provide a perfect match for Premier, but it is the closest equivalent design. Explore Radford Cutlery.
RWI
RWI was made in Sheffield in the 1990s and was the first pattern to feature an early version of the Robert Welch signature. RWI was based on an earlier pattern, Alveston, designed 1961. (See Alveston). RW2 is a good alternative, however it is heavier (both versions of Alveston & RWI had hollow handles) and the individual pieces measure a little larger, the fork tines are longer and soup bowls wider. Explore RW2 Cutlery.
Merit
Merit was originally part of the Courtier cutlery collection, for Villeroy & Boch Tableware. Merit became known as New Merit or Svenska in the late 1990s for the US market. Avon, a larger version of Merit, became known as Foster when it was licensed to Crate and Barrel in the USA. Avon has also since been retired, however there is limited stock available which could be added to a set of Merit. Explore our timeless Cutlery Collection.
Meridian
Meridian Bright/Satin was a pattern created during a very productive period for new cutlery designs, during the early 1990s. A good alternative for this range is Norton Bright. It is not a perfect match, the fork heads are narrower, knife blades differ slightly in design and the handles are narrower. Explore our timeless Cutlery Collection.
Comet
Comet was launched in 1999 and was a popular pattern. Bourton Bright is a good alternative however it is slightly lighter and the spoon bowl is shallower. Explore our timeless Cutlery Collection.
Seadrift
Seadrift was launched in 1997 and two versions were made, one flat and one with hollow handles. Molton has a similar handle profile, exaggeratedly curvaceous. Molton has also been retired, however there is limited stock available which could be added to a set of Seadrift. Explore our timeless Cutlery Collection.
Campden
Campden cutlery was Robert Welch's first cutlery design, 1956, designed in conjunction with David Mellor (whose version was named ‘Spring’). Both were only produced in a Satin finish. Dawn Bright, a later version of the design, was made in Sheffield in the 1990s. Unfortunately, there are no alternatives to this vintage pattern but it can be bought second hand. Explore our timeless Cutlery Collection.
Alveston
Alveston cutlery, made in Sheffield for Old Hall Tableware, launched in 1963. It was became known as RWI in the 1990s, and was later redesigned as RW2. RW2 is a good alternative, however it is heavier (both versions of Alveston & RWI had hollow handles) and the individual pieces measure a little larger, the fork tines are longer and soup bowls wider. Explore RW2 Cutlery.
Bistro
Bistro cutlery was designed in the 1960s in conjunction with Harrison Fisher, Sheffield, and Old Hall Tableware sold it from 1963. Bistro originally had riveted rosewood handles, it was modified in the 1970s to have riveted plastic handles. Today’s version of this pattern, Trattoria features handles which are moulded straight onto the tang. Explore our Master Cutlery Collection.
Premier
Premier was originally part of the Courtier cutlery collection, for Villeroy & Boch Tableware. It was available in stainless steel, silver plate or sterling silver, the latter hallmarked RW Sheffield. Premier, originally hollow handled, was redesigned as a monobloc pattern in 2003 and named Radford after Robert Welch's middle name. Radford won’t provide a perfect match for Premier, but it is the closest equivalent design. Explore Radford Cutlery.
RW1
RWI was made in Sheffield in the 1990s and was the first pattern to feature an early version of the Robert Welch signature. RWI was based on an earlier pattern, Alveston, designed 1961. (See Alveston). RW2 is a good alternative, however it is heavier (both versions of Alveston & RWI had hollow handles) and the individual pieces measure a little larger, the fork tines are longer and soup bowls wider. Explore RW2 Cutlery.
Merit
Merit was originally part of the Courtier cutlery collection, for Villeroy & Boch Tableware. Merit became known as New Merit or Svenska in the late 1990s for the US market. Avon, a larger version of Merit, became known as Foster when it was licensed to Crate and Barrel in the USA. Avon has also since been retired, however there is limited stock available which could be added to a set of Merit. Explore our timeless Cutlery Collection.
Meridian
Meridian Bright/Satin was a pattern created during a very productive period for new cutlery designs, during the early 1990s. A good alternative for this range is Norton Bright. It is not a perfect match, the fork heads are narrower, knife blades differ slightly in design and the handles are narrower. Explore our timeless Cutlery Collection.
Comet
Comet was launched in 1999 and was a popular pattern. Bourton Bright is a good alternative however it is slightly lighter and the spoon bowl is shallower. Explore our timeless Cutlery Collection.
Seadrift
Seadrift was launched in 1997 and two versions were made, one flat and one with hollow handles. Molton has a similar handle profile, exaggeratedly curvaceous. Molton has also been retired, however there is limited stock available which could be added to a set of Seadrift. Explore our timeless Cutlery Collection.
Please note - The recommended alternatives are intended as suggestions only as they will be similar to the cutlery set but will not be a direct replica. If you want to discuss finding a perfect match for your cutlery set please contact us.