thanks to all for pointing out to me that I do not have a knife buying problem. Until I found this forum I thought I may have gone to far in buying knives that started years ago. Now I know I am normal. The problem is I did not own a Becker until reading about them and had to order a BK2, thanks. One question, why does people strip the knife? Is this just cosmetic or another reason? Doesn't matter as I am sure I will be doing it soon. You have also convinced me that the piece of wood (spieces unkown) laying around in the garage would work well for the handle. Thanks