Colt – Holster & Extra Blade (Very Rare)

Overall Rarity

Having the complete package—the early-style blade, the rare black leather holster (most were brown), and the Barry Wood design—places this in the top tier of 20th-century knife collecting.

These knives were only produced for a short window (1969–1978), and because the mechanism was so complex to manufacture, production was never truly “mass-scale.” Finding one today that hasn’t been “over-swung” (which can loosen the tolerance) and still possesses the original high-quality leather scabbard is incredibly uncommon. In the current market, a well-preserved Colt Wood folder with these specific “extra” features is considered a “blue-chip” investment for Colt aficionados.

The Barry Wood Colt Tuckaway

The genius of Barry Wood’s design lies in its mechanical simplicity and strength. As an engineer, Wood created a knife that could be opened with one hand by swinging the handles in a scissor-like motion. When locked open, the two handle halves join to create a grip so solid it feels like a fixed-blade knife.

Key Features of Your Specific Model

• The “Extra Hole” Blade: While most Colt folders featured a standard solid blade, certain rare runs included a hole near the tang. This was often functional (to assist in the assembly/alignment process at the shop) or a design carry-over from Barry Wood’s custom Mk. 1 prototypes.

• The Black Leather Holster: Most Colt/Wood collaborations came with a tan or dark brown “pouch” style sheath. The black leather “holster” (often made by Alfonso’s of Hollywood) is a premium accessory. These were designed to hold the knife securely on a belt, mirroring the aesthetic of Colt’s firearm holsters.

• Handle Material: These typically featured Westinghouse Micarta (usually in a “natural canvas” or maroon/mahogany color) over stainless steel frames.