## Common ground
All options describe cake slicing knives based on their material composition.
## Options at a glance
**3924.10 – Plastic**
- **Defining trait:** Made primarily from synthetic polymer materials, often lightweight and non-corrosive.
- **Typical examples:** Disposable plastic cake cutters, children’s kitchen tools.
- **Best fit when:** The knife is lightweight, flexible, or intended for single-use or casual use.
**4419 – Wood**
- **Defining trait:** Crafted from natural wood, often with a traditional or artisanal appearance.
- **Typical examples:** Wooden-handled knives with metal blades, chef’s knives with wooden grips.
- **Best fit when:** The knife has a wooden handle or body, especially in non-metallic, rustic designs.
**6911.10 – Porcelain or China**
- **Defining trait:** Made from fired clay with a glazed, brittle surface; typically decorative or fragile.
- **Typical examples:** Decorative cake servers, porcelain dessert knives.
- **Best fit when:** The blade or entire knife is made of ceramic-like material, often used for serving rather than cutting.
**6912.00 – Ceramic**
- **Defining trait:** Made from advanced non-metallic materials (e.g., zirconia), extremely sharp and durable but brittle.
- **Typical examples:** High-performance kitchen knives with ceramic blades.
- **Best fit when:** The blade is fully ceramic, known for edge retention and non-reactivity.
**7114 – Jewellery or precious metal**
- **Defining trait:** Features gemstones, gold, silver, or other precious materials as design elements.
- **Typical examples:** Luxury cake knives with gold inlays or diamond accents.
- **Best fit when:** The knife includes visible precious metals or stones for aesthetic value.
**8215.99 – Base metal**
- **Defining trait:** Made from common metals like steel, iron, or aluminum; typically functional and durable.
- **Typical examples:** Standard stainless steel cake knives, kitchen cutlery.
- **Best fit when:** The knife is primarily made of steel or other non-precious metal.
## Key differences
| Option | Material Type | Durability | Sharpness | Aesthetic Use |
|--------|---------------------|------------|-----------|----------------|
| 3924.10 | Plastic | Low | Moderate | Low |
| 4419 | Wood | Medium | Medium | High (artisanal)|
| 6911.10 | Porcelain/China | Very Low | High | High (decorative)|
| 6912.00 | Ceramic | Low | Very High | Medium |
| 7114 | Precious metal | Medium | Medium | Very High |
| 8215.99 | Base metal | High | High | Low |
## How to choose
- Is the knife made of plastic? → 3924.10
- Does it have a wooden handle or body? → 4419
- Is the blade or entire knife made of porcelain or china? → 6911.10
- Is the blade fully ceramic (non-metal, sharp, brittle)? → 6912.00
- Does it feature gold, silver, or gemstones? → 7114
- Is it made of steel, iron, or aluminum? → 8215.99
## Overlaps & pitfalls
- A knife with a ceramic blade and metal handle may fit both 6912.00 and 8215.99; prioritize the blade material if cutting is the main function.
- Porcelain (6911.10) and ceramic (6912.00) are similar but differ in composition: porcelain is glazed clay, ceramic is advanced sintered material.
- "Precious metal" (7114) applies only if the metal is used decoratively; functional gold-plated knives still fall under base metal unless the precious metal is a key feature.
- If unsure, choose based on the **main functional material**—especially for blades