Maker
Gebrüder Berns (Otterwerk)
Otter-Messer — Solingen pocket-knife makers since 1840.
- City
- Solingen
- Rarity
- 4/5 · Rare
- Est. production
- 3,000
- Founded
- 1840
- Trademark
- Otter
- In the book
- Pages 59–62
- SA Group stamps
- Wm, Ho
- Types
- Early
The company was founded by the brothers Carl Wilhelm and Reinhard Berns in Oben Katternberg near Solingen on 10 April 1840. The brothers separated in 1846, and Reinhard continued Gebr. Berns alone, making pocket knives in a small factory. The otters living in the streams beside the factory gave the firm its logo and brand name, OTTER-Messer, first registered in 1847. The knives were made, ground, honed and polished by hand.
