Medieval cutlery
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Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
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Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
-
Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
-
Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
- Available
-
Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
Cutlery in the Middle Ages: What history tells us
The medieval table knife was the most important eating utensil of its time – across all social classes. Those who could afford it always carried their knife with them, as metal was valuable and costly to produce. No host provided cutlery for their guests: anyone invited to a meal brought their own knife. Food was served whole on the table, and everyone cut their own portion.
The spoon is also well documented historically. As porridge, gruel and stew were staple items on the medieval menu, it was indispensable. Carved from wood, horn or bone, or more rarely cast from metal or pewter – the choice of material depended on social status and available resources. The wooden spoon was the most common type, whilst pewter spoons were regarded as status symbols from the late Middle Ages onwards.
The fork, on the other hand, was largely absent from medieval cutlery. It only became established in German households in the 18th century – whether you’re portraying a Viking, a Germanic tribesman or a late medieval citizen: the fork simply wasn’t part of everyday life yet. Nevertheless, it is often included in modern cutlery sets, adapted to today’s eating habits and stylistically aligned with the Middle Ages.
Materials at a glance: from pewter to stainless steel
| Material | Suitability | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Iron / Carbon steel | Historical | Blades, table knives |
| Wood | Historical | Spoons, handles |
| Horn & bone | Historical | Handles, spoons |
| Pewter | Historical | Spoons from the Late Middle Ages (status symbol) |
| Stainless steel | LARP / Market | Blades, sets – hygienic, easy to clean |
| Carbon steel | Reenactment | More historically accurate than stainless steel, but requires more maintenance |
Stainless steel is not historically documented, but offers hygienic advantages and is well suited for daily use at markets and LARP events. Carbon steel is closer to the historical model, but requires a little more care after each use. Horn and wooden handles are more authentic handle materials – combined with a stainless steel blade, they offer a good compromise between appearance and practicality for everyday use.
Late Medieval Pewter Spoons: Historical Replicas from the 15th Century
Among the spoons of the Late Middle Ages, two forms stand out in particular: the pewter spoon with a pyramid-shaped head and the one with an acorn-shaped head. Both variants are well documented archaeologically and date from the 15th century. Pewter was a status symbol at the time – those who could afford it dipped their spoon into their soup not from a wooden handle, but from a single cast piece.
The pewter spoons in our range – the Late Medieval Pewter Spoon 1400 with a pyramid-shaped head and the Late Medieval Pewter Spoon with an acorn-shaped head – are faithful replicas of these historical originals. They are equally suitable for late medieval re-enactments and as decorative display pieces.
Care instructions: Pewter is not dishwasher-safe. Hand washing with warm water and occasional polishing with a soft cloth will keep the surface looking beautiful for years to come. Abrasive scourers or harsh cleaning agents should be avoided at all costs.
Wearing cutlery on your belt: Sets with leather sheaths
In the Middle Ages, people always carried their cutlery with them – attached to the belt, it was safely stored and immediately to hand. The double leather sheath for knives and awls is a well-documented method of carrying them, which has stood the test of time at medieval markets and in LARP to this day. Archaeological finds of awls have frequently been discovered in the immediate vicinity of knives, suggesting they were used together – whether as a dining skewer, an all-purpose tool, or both cannot be said with certainty.
Important to know: The leather sheath is intended for active use, not for long-term storage. Leather absorbs moisture from the ambient air – if the metal is left in it permanently, this promotes corrosion. For longer storage, for example over the winter, the cutlery should be removed from the sheath and stored separately.
Caring for the sheath: Rub it with leather grease once a quarter – this keeps the leather supple and prevents it from cracking. Anyone wishing to preserve their accessories for medieval knives and cutlery in the long term would be well advised to follow this simple routine.
Choose cutlery by era and historical period
For a Viking-era or early medieval re-enactment, a simple knife with a wooden or horn handle and a wooden or horn spoon will suffice. An awl is optional – not historically verifiable, but conceivable as an all-purpose tool and eating skewer. Sets with a leather sheath for the belt are also the most practical choice here. Anyone wishing to delve deeper into the Nordic world will find further suitable accessories in the Viking Shop.
In the High Middle Ages, the craftsmanship of iron knives became increasingly sophisticated. The first cast metal parts appeared, and handles were crafted with greater attention to detail. Spoons made of wood and horn remained common, whilst metal versions became more widespread. For a High Middle Ages reenactment, knives with iron blades and natural handles made of horn or wood are recommended.
The Late Middle Ages mark the heyday of the pewter spoon – the pyramid and acorn shapes are the best known. Knife handles are crafted with greater attention to detail, and leather cases for entire sets become widespread. Our Late Middle Ages pewter spoons faithfully reflect this development and are suitable for re-enactments of the 14th and 15th centuries.
For LARP events and markets, functionality and appearance are paramount. Stainless steel sets with leather sheaths for the belt are ideal here: easy to clean, robust enough for use over several days, and visually suited to the medieval setting. Those wishing to immerse themselves further in the role-playing experience will find additional accessories for an authentic medieval camp kitchen in our medieval camp supplies range.
Caring for your medieval cutlery
- Clean thoroughly before first use
- Stainless steel without natural material handles may be dishwasher-safe
- Hand wash only for wooden or horn handles
- Clean pewter only with a soft cloth and warm water
- No abrasive cleaners, no dishwasher for pewter
- Dry immediately after each use
- Lightly oil to prevent rust
- Do not store in a damp leather sheath
- Condition the sheath with leather grease every three months
- Remove cutlery from the sheath during winter storage
The individual parts of medieval cutlery
Table knife
Blade made of iron or steel, handle made of horn, wood or bone. Everyone carried their own knife – it was both a personal possession and an indispensable all-purpose tool.
Spoon
Indispensable for porridge, gruel and stew. Wooden and horn spoons were widespread; pewter spoons with pyramid-shaped or acorn-shaped heads were regarded as status symbols from the 15th century onwards.
Awl / dining fork
Often found alongside knives. Whether a dining skewer, an all-purpose tool or the precursor to the fork – its exact use is not clearly established. Now very popular as a belt set with a knife and double-bladed sheath.
Fork
The fork only became established in German households in the 18th century. Nevertheless, it is often included in modern sets – stylistically adapted to the Middle Ages and practical for today’s dining habits.
Whether you want to dine authentically at the next medieval market, complete your re-enactment camp, or gain a better understanding of the tableware of centuries past – our range includes medieval cutlery and pewter spoons for various eras and requirements. Browse the subcategories Cutlery Sets, Spoons, and Forks and Awls to discover our full range of medieval camp supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most important eating utensil in the Middle Ages was the knife – it was part of every person’s personal belongings and was always brought along, as no host provided cutlery for their guests. In addition, there was the spoon, made of wood, horn or pewter, for porridge and gruel. The fork was not common in the Middle Ages and only became established in German households in the 18th century.
Medieval knives had blades made of iron or carbon steel and handles made of horn, wood or bone. Spoons were carved from wood or horn, and in the late Middle Ages were also cast from pewter – well-known shapes include the pyramid-headed and acorn-headed spoons. Sets were often carried in double sheaths on the belt.
The awl is a tapered tool that has frequently been found archaeologically alongside knives. Its exact function is not clearly established – it may have been used as a skewer, an all-purpose tool, or both. In modern cutlery sets, it is offered as a historically plausible companion to the table knife and worn on the belt in a double-leather sheath.
In addition to cutlery made of iron, wood, horn and pewter, people in the Middle Ages dined from wooden plates, ceramic bowls and flatbread used as an edible base. Metal tableware was expensive and was reserved for the wealthier classes. Drinking vessels ranged from simple wooden cups and ceramic jugs to drinking horns among the Northmen.
Yes, medieval cutlery is ideal for LARP. Sets with leather sheaths can be carried comfortably on a belt and contribute to the overall authentic look. For events lasting several days, stainless steel blades are recommended due to their ease of cleaning; however, cutlery with wooden or horn handles should always be washed by hand.