If you do not, for whatever reason, enjoy or have time, to sharpen your knives, then this block is perfect. The slots have a mechanism that gently sharpens when you take the knives out or put them back in. This means no more dull knives, which are actually dangerous to use. The serrated knives do not need sharpening and do not have the built-in sharpener. Great knife made with German steel and made in Spain. These will be favorites for years to come.