A regular knife block only lets you store a certain number and a certain type of knife. The Kapoosh Universal Knife Block let's you store up to 20 different knives and utensils amongst its tightly packed set of polypropylene rods, which frees you from the old style slots. It's a good idea especially if you have a collection of different types of knives and utensils that you want to keep organized and sanitary. Also everyone will probably ask you where you got it.