This field grade sharpener is ideal for touching up and sharpening especially serrated and also plain edge knives. There are also grooves in the ceramic that are perfect for touching up the spear tip of a fishhook. The high quality ceramic rod a nibbed at he ends for grip! This Lansky model has all flat edges and is better suited to sharpen tight serration patters found on many imported knives. As always use with caution in a stable setting under good light. Less is more when it comes to sharpening so check your work by strumming the blade crossways (not up and down the edge!) as you go. With a light pressure strum the more it feels sticky and grabs the sharper it is. Also note that most serrations that are not damaged only need to be touched up by sharpening them on the backside of the edge (back of the knife's blade.)