Electric versions of these tools classify in the electrical machinery chapter as electrically operated personal-care appliances, not here. This heading covers only non-electric, manually operated cutlery-type articles.

Paper knives and letter openers are designed for slitting paper or envelopes and typically have a dull or blunt edge rather than a true cutting blade. They are explicitly placed in 821410 as desk or office-type cutlery articles, separate from the sharp-bladed knives of heading 8211.