I love the versatility of this and that I'm not restricted to predetermined slots. Since I don't have an entire set of knives, but a hodge podge of single knives, this was the perfect solution for me. I really wanted a magnetic strip for my knives, but with three small children, it didn't seem to be the safest way to go without a locking cabinet around it and I couldn't find anything that was within budget that was like that.

The Kapoosh is nice in that you can put any assortment of knives in varying lengths and shapes and handle styles and they all fit. I haven't run out of room in it yet, but from reading other reviews, if I ever fill it up to the point where no new knives fit, I'll break off a few rods to make room.

It's probably not possible, but it would be nice if it wasn't so extremely bulky. I can't picture how it would look if it was a bit more compact for the amount of knives it holds, but it seems like something could be done to lessen its girth a bit or at least offer more space for the overall footprint of it.

That being said, it's still a great item and far better than my old method of tossing all my knives in to one drawer, which is not exactly the safest thing to do!

This is a great alternative to the typical slotted knife block. Very versatile.

Had one of these and loved it but it got taken apart completely to clean by someone who didn't know better. Never take it completely apart. It won't go back together. This one is a fine replacement. It's actually a little looser so my knives slide in and out more easily than the first one I bought at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Love the design, I don't have to fiddle with slots and it holds more knives that a traditional one. If I have to clean it I hope it goes well with taking the bristles out and getting them back in. But had the old one for years and never had to clean it. Just make sure knives and clean and dry when putting them in.

I can't recommend this knife block enough, both for personal use and as a gift. I bought mine when these first came out and have since then given it as a gift several times, always to great acclaim.

As other reviewers will undoubtedly describe, the block itself is made out of hundreds of little black fibers that are of a thickness and consistency that to me is reminiscent of the bristles on snow brushes, only probably a little thinner. They are grouped in tightly so when you slide a knife in and out they shape themselves to the knife and hold it in place.

When it gets dirty, all you have to do is pop it into the dishwasher and it cleans up just as nicely as the day you bought it!

As I said, I have had mine for years, and it has gotten a lot of use. It still looks perfect--no bent or loose fibers, and I am not easy on products!

My one wish is that it was able to hold more knives--there is a capacity because eventually you will stick so many knives in there that the fibers will compress enough to not be able to put in more. Having said that, it holds just as many knives as a standard knife block, so that is a minor complaint.

There is no sense to get a full set of knives with a knife block when you only use 2-3 on the daily basis. Just hand pick the ones you like and roll. But how do you keep them organized? Drawer is not a good option - neighboring with all the flatware, knives get dull. Magnetic wall strip, while looks neat, also ruins knives (same thing - metal against metal). Buy a wooden block? There is no guarantee the slots will match your hand-picked knives and remaining empty slots will drive you NUTS if you have even slightest case of OCD... And keeping knives in the open is simply dangerous. My boyfriend is a living proof. He kept cutting himself until I bough THIS. Great looking clean-cut black and white. Very sturdy, with a heavy bottom. Easy to use - you don't have to aim the knife into the slot under a certain angle to make sure it goes in. There simply aren't individual slots and no angles - you can stick the knife in without even looking. And Amazon offers it for almost 40% less than Bed-Bath-Beyond where they don't even have white, only stainless steel - ewwwww... sooooo twentieth century and impossible to keep spotless!!!