## Common ground
All options describe butter knives based on their material composition.
## Options at a glance
**3924.10 – Plastic**
- **Defining trait:** Made primarily from synthetic plastic materials.
- **Typical examples:** Disposable kitchen utensils, children’s cutlery, budget tableware.
- **Best fit when:** The knife is lightweight, non-metallic, and likely molded in one piece.
**4419 – Wood**
- **Defining trait:** Crafted from natural wood (e.g., bamboo, beech, walnut).
- **Typical examples:** Hand-carved kitchen knives, rustic or artisanal cutlery.
- **Best fit when:** The knife has a solid wooden handle and/or blade made of wood.
**6911.10 – Porcelain or China**
- **Defining trait:** Made from fired clay with a glossy, brittle finish; typically non-metallic and fragile.
- **Typical examples:** Decorative serving utensils, fine dining tableware.
- **Best fit when:** The knife is part of a porcelain dinner set and not intended for heavy use.
**6912.00 – Ceramic**
- **Defining trait:** Made from high-fired clay (e.g., stoneware or technical ceramics); hard but brittle.
- **Typical examples:** Sharp-edged kitchen knives, non-reactive cookware tools.
- **Best fit when:** The knife has a sharp, durable edge and is used for cutting food without metal.
**7114 – Jewellery/Metal Clad**
- **Defining trait:** Features precious metals (gold, silver) or gemstones; decorative rather than functional.
- **Typical examples:** Ornamental cutlery, luxury gift sets with gold-plated handles.
- **Best fit when:** The knife is primarily a decorative item with high-value materials.
**8215.99 – Base Metal**
- **Defining trait:** Made from common metals like steel, iron, or aluminum (not precious).
- **Typical examples:** Standard kitchen knives, stainless steel butter knives.
- **Best fit when:** The knife is functional, durable, and has a metal blade/handle.
## Key differences
| Option | Material Type | Durability | Primary Use | Decorative Value |
|-------|----------------|------------|--------------|-------------------|
| 3924.10 | Plastic | Low | Disposable/children’s use | Low |
| 4419 | Wood | Medium | Artisanal/rustic | Medium |
| 6911.10 | Porcelain | Very low | Decorative | High |
| 6912.00 | Ceramic | High (edge) | Functional cutting | Low |
| 7114 | Precious metal | Medium | Luxury/gift | Very high |
| 8215.99 | Base metal | High | Everyday use | Low |
## How to choose
- Is it made of plastic? → 3924.10
- Is it made of wood or natural fiber? → 4419
- Is it fragile, glossy, and non-metallic (like dinnerware)? → 6911.10
- Is it hard, sharp-edged, and made from fired clay (not porcelain)? → 6912.00
- Does it have gold, silver, or gemstones? → 7114
- Is it metal (steel, iron, aluminum), not precious? → 8215.99
## Overlaps & pitfalls
- A ceramic knife could be mistaken for porcelain; check if it’s sharp and used for cutting.
- A wooden knife with a metal blade may still fall under 4419 if the handle is wood.
- A base metal knife with gold plating might fit both 8215.99 and 7114 — prioritize **main function**: use 8215.99 for functional knives, 7114 only if decorative value dominates