Falcon Housewares vs Falcon Enamelware: What's the Difference?
It's one of the questions we're asked most often.
"Why doesn't this Falcon milk pan have the Falcon logo on the bottom?"
Or...
"What's the difference between Falcon Housewares and Falcon Enamelware?"
The short answer is that they're two separate companies, but from everything we've seen over many years of selling both brands, their enamelware is made in the same factory. Many equivalent products are extremely similar, although there can be differences in specification, finish, branding, colours and packaging.
At a glance
| Feature | Falcon Housewares | Falcon Enamelware |
|---|---|---|
| Company | Nimbus Products (Sheffield) | Falcon Enamelware (London) |
| Manufacturing | Same factory | Same factory |
| Main focus | Traditional kitchen essentials | Design-led enamelware and contemporary colours |
| Colours | Classic colours | Wider range of modern colours |
| Product range | Milk pans, pie dishes, colanders, bakeware and everyday kitchenware | Classic pieces plus exclusive bowls, tumblers and newer designs |
| Logo on base | Usually no | Usually yes |
| Packaging | Simple labels | Premium branded packaging |
| Typical price | Usually lower | Usually higher |
A little history
The original Falcon brand dates back to the 1920s and became one of Britain's best-known names for enamelware.
Over time, production moved overseas and the business evolved. Today there are two separate companies that most people come across - Falcon Housewares and Falcon Enamelware.
Although they share a similar name and heritage, they are independent companies.
Falcon Housewares
Falcon Housewares is the brand many people remember from traditional hardware shops. At HEIMA - and before that at our family hardware shop - we've been selling Falcon Housewares enamelware for decades.
The range concentrates on practical everyday cookware, including:
- Milk pans
- Colanders
- Pie dishes
- Bakeware
- Mugs
- Traditional kitchen essentials
Most items come with a Falcon Housewares sticker when new but are not normally stamped into the enamel. This is completely normal and doesn't mean the product isn't genuine.
Falcon Enamelware
Falcon Enamelware launched much more recently as a separate London-based company.
Alongside classic enamelware, they've developed a broader range of products and become known for their contemporary colour palette.
Their products usually feature the Falcon Crest fired into the enamel on the base. This isn't simply a logo applied after manufacture: it requires an additional firing stage as part of the finishing process.
Are they made differently?
They are made in the same factory, but that doesn't necessarily mean every specification is identical. From our experience of selling both ranges, many equivalent products are extremely similar, although there can be differences in specification and finish.
The finished products are often remarkably similar in appearance and construction. In many cases we've compared equivalent products side-by-side and found very little obvious difference in the finished product beyond the branding, colours and packaging.
Historically, we've found that some Falcon Enamelware products were noticeably heavier than their Falcon Housewares equivalents. Based on our recent comparisons, the difference is now much less apparent, and some products appear to be very similar in weight. Falcon Enamelware has told us that they have historically used a heavier gauge of steel and that this remains the case.
Why is Falcon Enamelware usually more expensive?
There are several things that contribute to the difference in price. Falcon Enamelware invests in product development, new designs, colours, branding, packaging and collaborations. There are also differences in the way some products are finished or specified, such as the Falcon Crest being fired into the enamel and, historically, the use of heavier-gauge steel.
- They offer more contemporary colours.
- They introduce new product designs.
- They invest more heavily in branding and presentation.
- They position themselves as a design-led lifestyle brand.
As a retailer, we can't put a precise figure on how much each of these factors contributes to the final retail price, but they help explain why the two ranges can sit at different price points.
Falcon Housewares, by comparison, focuses on classic cookware at a more traditional price point.
Why we stock both
Customers sometimes ask which brand is "better". Our answer is that we don't really see it that way.
If the Falcon Housewares version meets a customer's needs and offers the features they're looking for at a lower price, we'll happily recommend it.
If Falcon Enamelware has designed something unique or offers a colour that Falcon Housewares doesn't, we're equally happy to stock that.
We choose products on their own merits rather than simply favouring one brand over the other.
Still have questions?
If you're unsure which Falcon product is right for you, or you're wondering whether a particular item should have a logo on the base, just get in touch. We're always happy to help.
