"RARE", VINTAGE BARRY WOOD CUSTOM, "EXPERIMENTAL", VASCOWEAR MOD.A FOLDING KNIFE

Description

EVER SEEN ONE LIKE THIS..???
I realize that folks are quite liberal about their usage of the word "rare" Having said that, I have reasonable confidence that this knife is indeed rare.
Having been a knife collector for 6-decades and Barry Wood knife collector for over 4-decades ... and having had (at one time) 234 Barry Wood knives in my collection that included knives made of every material Barry ever used, and every model (including prototypes, commemorative issues, experimental knives and even Barry Wood straight knives) ... and having lived in Venice, CA and having been able to know the late Mr. Wood for decades ... only really makes me just a fan of his knives.  None of that history makes me an expert.  I'm NOT an expert and I have never been an expert.  I was often confused and had questions about his knives, even when Barry was living.  Most often, the only person who could answer my questions or could provide information and/or decipher Barry's numbering and indexing "system(?)" was his lovely late wife Tana.  She had the answers to all Wood knife questions.  I still regret not having asked enough questions.
The knife offered here is not such an enigma ... it's a true Barry Wood-created custom knife.  What is a little puzzling about it, at least for me, is the numbering ("2.2") on the blade.  That might lead me to think that Barry made two knives like this.  Perhaps he did, but I've never seen another, and I have seen way more Wood knives than I have owned.  I know the numbers of Barry Wood knife collectors isn't large, but I feel I can safely say that, throughout the years, I have probably encountered (via message or voice conversation) at least 50% of the collectors who were as fanatical about his knives as I have been.  Even brief communication with those collectors has been a persistent consolation that has helped me rationalize (though not seriously address) my own collecting disease.  I have never wanted to be cured.
Several years ago I sold my only Barry Wood "Holey Wonder" knife.  I got a fair price for it.  Nearly immediately after I sold mine, another Wood collector and dearly departed friend sold his "Holey Wonder".  Mind you, only four "Holey Wonder" knives were ever produced by Barry.  Those knives are rare.
Well, that brings me back to this knife.  I do not know how many knives with Vascowear blades were ever produced by Barry Wood.  [This is a great time for Barry Wood knife "experts" to chime in.] .... but I don't think that more than two of these were ever produced.  If that is the case, then this knife is more "rare" than a "Holey Wonder".
Okay ... the knife:
It's a Model A (alternately referred to as a Mk.10).   The blade is stamped "2.2". Hopefully, in the photos you can see the engraved marking inside one handle plate that reads" B B Wood, EXPERIMENTAL, T-1A-2, VASCOWEAR".   Questions: Is there a "T-1A-2"..?? ... I do not know.  What does the "T" part mean..???  I do not know, but on some of Barry's Titanium-handled knives, the "T" referenced Titanium.   Was there a "T-2A-2"..?? .... I do not know.  Over the years I have been able to answer many questions about Barry Wood knives, but here I am left proving that I am NOT an expert.
Barry was one of two people credited with introducing Titanium to knife making.  He was an engineer, an innovator, an experimenter and someone who liked working with materials that were, at times among knife makers, non-conventional, like Beryllium Copper, Silicon Bronze, Stellite, Titanium.  Here we have Vascowear.  I'm pretty sure Teledyne Vascowear was introduced in the mid-60s.  Though that period is too early for this particular model of Barry Wood knife, knowing Barry, you would understand him wanting to try it for a pocket knife blade.  Also, I'm sure his use predated its use by other makers or manufactures of pocket knives.  Unfortunately, I don't know the date of production ... that's more evidence of my non-expertise (ignorance).  The knife measures  6 5/16" open and 3 5/8" closed.  It's just under 1/2" thick and it weighs 106 gr. (almost 3 3/4 oz.).  The included Cordura sheath will mount vertically or horizontally on a belt.  This knife is NOT new, but it's in excellent condition.  The knife operates (opens-closes) as it should and is tight in both the "open" and "closed" positions.  The blade displays no vertical or lateral play when the knife is in the "open" position.  When a Barry Wood knife is open, it has the strength of a straight knife .. and it absolutely will not close on you until you want to close it.  The blade looks great, it has not been sharpened, it's still sharp.  Vascowear is tough and difficult to dull. (See, I do know a little.)
I was not accepting offers on this knife because it truly is "rare" ... however, it's been listed for a long time and perhaps I'll never sell it.  So, I'm adding "Make Offer" to my listing.  I will limit the offer range to eliminate the and offers.  Buyer will have to include .00 for insured, Registered, Priority Mail shipping.  I do not want to ship outside the the U.S..  Thanks for looking and for suffering through this rambling essay.. :)