Situated on the river Wupper 30km northeast Cologne, the town of Soling was founded in 1374. Now famed for its blade-making credentials, this town of 120,000 people has been home to the Carl Schmidt Sohn brand since 1829.
The presence of iron ore, and the proximity of the town to nearby Cologne(Germanys richest trading center) meant that Soligen quickly became established as a metalworking center. Fine quality sword blades were made here in the fourteenth century, and Soligen was contracted to seel all of its swords and edged weapons to Cologne where handles were attached and finished weapons sold.