A ceramic composition is provided having an alumina based matrix with silicon carbide whiskers and titanium carbide phase dispersed therein. The composition includes about 1.0 to less than 30 volume percent silicon carbide whiskers, about 5 to about 40 volume percent titanium carbide phase. The sum of the volume percents of silicon carbide whiskers and titanium carbide phase is less than about 60 volume percent. This composition is for use as a cutting. The cutting insert (10) has a rake face (30), a flank face (50) and a cutting edge (70) at the junction of the rake and flank faces.