Very practical and contemporary looking. For me, this is a better option than the traditional bulky knife block. It is easy to insert and take out kitchen knives and scissors (holds most sizes of knives, except for the extra, extra long knives). The block is sturdy, yet light weight and easy to move around. This is not glass, but clear acrylic with a cardboard-type insert in the black top to separate knives and hold them safely and securely. Easy to clean acrylic. It also looks great on my kitchen counter as I prefer a clean, more modern look in my kitchen.