[dick]

Does anyon3 know if Rich Notto is still making knives?

[Bob_in_TN]

He passed away in July of 2005. Not making knives.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I think I heard his family is carrying on the tradition?

[susieq]

Actually, no...no more Notto knives. Rich and Carol were good friends of mine and I stay in touch with Carol fairly often. Carol tried to continue the knife making after Rich died but she couldn't do it. She finally gave it up and sold off all the equipment. She gave the recipe for Notto's Gold strop dressing to a close friend and he markets it now. I don't even think she makes the leather strops anymore.

She has rented her home with option to buy, and moved in with her daughter. Rich was a terrific guy and a great knife maker. He was also the best chip carver I have ever seen and I kick myself to this day that I never asked him to teach me. I have a set of Notto knives and they are a treasure. I don't know if Carol has any of the knives left for sale or not. Probably not but if you want me to ask her the next time we talk, I would be happy to.

ps. Because he lived in the area and always set up at our show, also the Clearwater show and other shows in Florida, many carvers in our area have Notto knives and they some times turn up for sale for one reason or another. If I happen across any in my travels...yard sales and so on, I would certainly buy them. Should I be lucky that way, I can let you know.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I have his chip carving knife and have often kicked myself for not buying one of his folding carving knives. Very pleasant man to talk to on the phone...sorry I didn't get to meet him.

[Just Carving]

Before I read SusieQ's post, I searched on Rich Notto's knives, and I came up with a vendor that still sells them, according to the website.

http://www.woodcarving-supplies.com/index.cfm

Select knives under category, and search on Rich Notto, and you'll come up with 7 hits--unfortunately, no folding knives though. There are also knives made by Dave Notto being sold on the same website.

SusieQ, if you come across any Rich Notto folding knives, please let me and Hi_Ho_Sliver know. I don't know about Dave, but I've been looking for one for a while. Thank you.

Bob

[susieq]

Bob, If I come across any Notto knives, I will let you guys know. They made thousands of knives and sent them to many suppliers all over the country and it's quite possible that there are still a few in stock someplace...
Regarding Dave Notto....all I know is that Rich had a brother who tried to cash in on Rich's reputation by marketing some things after Rich died and Carol was totally disgusted with him. I don't remember the brother's name so I can't say that this Dave is him.

I will keep a lookout for some knives and talk to Carol about any possible folding knives that might still be around. It's doubtful but ya never know.
Carol gave a beautiful folder to my husband as a thank you. We helped her with her tool sales and hauled stuff away as she cleaned out her garage. She had had a bad leak under her kitchen sink and my husband replaced the rotted wood in the cupbord for her. The folder has an ebony handle with an inlay of ivory. Another carving friend put my husband's initials into the ivory inlay part. Of course, the knife will never be used......it's too special.