Toledo is a City full of knives, both physically and historically. So during Gayle and my recent…read moretrip to Spain, this is one souvenir that I really wanted. And if you show up here with a Rick Steves' Spain Tour Guide, there's a 10% discount in it for you. The Toledo streets wind around a lot and if you keep walking, you'll eventually find Mariano behind the counter of his long and narrow shop (with his workshop behind). It's right "behind" the Ayuntamiento/City Hall in a fairly nondescript store front. Judging by what's left of Mariano's hands and a few knicks I picked up along the way, his knives are very sharp. He was also very honest about materials, quality, and use of the various grades that he sells. A few of the knives defied my immediate sense of logic on how they worked, and Mariano was very patient and helpful in explaining the mechanisms. I gave up on one of them and figured that if I couldn't safety work the thing, I wasn't going to buy it. Gayle ended up purchasing that one for one of her sons who does have that skill. I was happy with a more decorative pocket knife choice with a nice 2-tone bone inlay.

An outstanding visit to a sword making shop. The owner took time to talk to us about swords and…read moreexplain how the swords were made, the significance of the metal being used and how the swords were used in the past. Fact I learned - swords made in Europe were prized for the hardness of the steel thus the blade is dull on purpose. Highly recommended taking a look at this store and buying a blade if it strikes your fancy. The skilled craftsmanship is on display as is the patient demeanor of the owner. It made my kid's day to see this shop!