BARRY WOOD - BOB LOVELESS FOLDER

I've been collecting Barry Wood folders ever since I got my first one in 1980. Curently have over 120 of them. The one that always eluded me was one made by Barry in collaboration with Bob Loveless. In 1973 the two made 36 folders before their collaboration dissolved. The blades were ground by Steve Johnson (he worked for Loveless) and scales/frame and build was done by Barry.
I've only handled one, a few years ago at a knife show and I've only seen two others for sale online in all this time. Needless to say, it has been my "Holy Grail" of knives for a long, long time.
At the Blade Show last June, a dealer I know told me of someone that owns one but wanted to sell. I made an offer and the other day the dealer emailed me and said the seller accepted my offer.
It arrived last week. My quest is complete...



And here's a GREAT pic by a real photographer...

I've collected the Colt/Barry Wood knives for years and have a few of the various Wood models as well, but I have never seen a Wood/Loveless before. Great knife! Are there any signatures inside the handles? Thanks for sharing.

- -Buckspen

Just the serial number, etched on the inside of the handle plate, near the pivot.

I’ve got over 120 other Wood knives, lots of different models, handle materials, blade shapes.

It’s a disease...

Good get!!!

That is a SUPER NICE knife!

Yes, I had one of the Wood folders in the 1970's, but had to choose between collecting Randalls or Woods, so sold it and went with Randalls, but the Woods knives are amazing.

Pap

Great find! I've not seen the Wood/Loveless in person.

I have a decent collection of Wood/Irie folders and models including a couple salesman samples with multiple handle materials. I even have a variant in all copper frame! Fantastic knives and designs. I carry a MK 2 Classic in stag as a daily user.

If I recall, Woods had gotten a patent on his swivel handle design.

Years ago, I saw a late-1800's or early 1900's factory made knife that opened the same way, can't remember the brand.

Made me wonder how Woods might have gotten a patent for the same concept if it had been done already.

I was familiar with Woods from the time he started, but never got the bug for the knives. Foolish me since there are scattered avid collectors.

And I sort of kicked myself for not buying the knife at the gun show since it would be neat to put alongside Woods knives.

Larry

I have one Wood Mk.2 knife that is marked with a shop worker's monogram on the inside. The monogram is "BK" which, I have been told, was used by James Wood, Barry's son. BK meant "boss's kid". The monograms are common on the Colt/Barry Wood knives and some Wood Mk.1s have them too.
- Buckspen

This Wood Mk.1 is marked with the monograms of Barry Wood and Steve Gilbody, a worker in Barry's shop in the early 1970's.
- Buckspen

That Mk.2 is nice. I’ve got 3 of them in ivory Micarta. I’ve got the contact info for Steve Gilbody. Talked with him a few times. Once bought a Mk.1 1/2 from his brother.