Puma – Two Centuries of Experience

In Europe, the great cutlery centers are few: Thiers in France, Sheffield in England, Maniago in Italy, Kauhava in Finland, Eskilstuna in Sweden and Solingen in Germany, which is where Johann Lauterjung got his brand registered by the town’s Guild of Cutlers in 1769. Ever since then family members have succeeded each other in producing what has become the most prestigious German brand. The Puma name was adopted in 1860 at a time when exports were developing rapidly, not only to the whole of Europe, but also to the United States and to South America. The firm’s production, which consisted of a range of good quality but common knives and razors, took a sharp turn at he end of World War II.

Franz Lauterjung and his son-in-law Oswald Ludwigsorf, a university graduate, acquainted with the latest technology and management methods were far from discouraged by the destruction of their factory in bombing raids. They had new premises built, acquired the latest equipment and hired the best personnel, even going as far as to organize training courses since qualified labor was hard to find in war-shattered Germany. They decided to devote the new range exclusively to hunting, fishing and outdoor activities, consisting of straight knives as well as many folding ones. These two enterprising fellows, themselves keen hunters and nature aficionados, realized that with the introduction of paid vacation, leisure activities would soon become an integral part of the new Germany. With outdoor activities leading the way and the vogue for camping also starting to grow. They immediately surrounded themselves with top hunting experts to develop knives suitable for all kinds of hunting.

And so, in collaboration with Mr. Frévert, inspector general of Water and Forests and also president of the International Federation of Hunting Dogs, the famous folding knife n° 959 was born, called the “Universal Jagdemesser.” After equipping all German hunters, this model went on to conquer the world, and is still today considered as being the best of its kind. It consists of a main switchblade, a saw-tooth blade, a distended razor-blade model for disemboweling large game, a hook for gutting small poultry game, and a corkscrew. Building on its success, it was then made available in two, three and four pieces.

Mr. Frévert was also responsible for many other models, notably a hunting-spear, the most beautiful one ever made, and the superb “Waidbesteck” collection, intended for handlers of bloodhounds. In spite of its age, this knife has never become outdated and 500 of them are produced each year.

Puma has a style all of its own, even a little antiquated, and a traditional methods of manufacture. Despite high-technology tools, the hand of specialized workers is present at each stage. The word “hand-made” that appears on each knife is thus not out of place.

While Puma manufactures everything that hunter’s need in terms of knives, anglers have not been forgotten. Once again models have been designed for all kinds of fishing and for all uses, with each detail and accessory the fruit of a long study undertaken by true specialists. If you consider their unparalleled quality of steel, “razor” sharpening and top-notch finish in all areas, you begin to understand why the brand has now been in existence for two hundred and thirty five years.