In 1873, Carl Friedrich Ern founded a razor factory near Solingen, Germany. He had inherited from his father a small grinding mill, driven by water. In 1879, he opened a new factory at Wittkulle near Wald, a suburb of Solingen. This factory was driven by a steam engine. After WWI, they established a scissors factory.
In 1924, Carl Friedrich Ern died, and his sons Carl Friedrich, Richard and Otto took over the business. They extended their line to include pocket knives, and hair clippers at that time. After WWII the demand for straight razors dropped, and the Ern factory added hunting knives and automatic spring knives (switchblades) to their line.
The company is still in business, now being managed by Mr. Fritz Richard Ern, the founders grandson.
(Featured photo) A 4” single blade jack marked “Friedr Ern & Co.”
c 1873-present