Why do crests and arms not face the user of the implement?

[SilverK]

I'd like to put a question out there that I have long pondered over and never had a satisfactory answer. Maybe someone on the forum could help.

Every spoon and fork I've ever seen with a crest or coat of arms has the device facing away from the user. Why is this?

If the owner wanted to show off, then surely it would face the user. Given that others opposite our diner would usually be too far away to see such a small engraving and whose view would probably be blocked by centrepieces etc, that can't be the answer. So why?

Has anyone any thoughts on this?

[dognose]

Hi SilverK,

I think traditionally engraved British crests on flatware face away from the user, but continental ones face towards the user, as per this French example:



Trev.

[JLDoggett]

Here in the US monograms (closest we have to family crests) are typically up-side-down to the user. Odd indeed.