do toledo blades deserve their "mistique"?

[Gavin Nugent]

Not naming Toledo espesially but I do remember accounts of Japanese smiths learning further from Spanish smiths as far back as the year 1000. I am sure Jim will be able to come in with many historically important accounts when the times right. Whether is it be good bad or other wise it is the human attached to the blade that makes it rule supreme.
Better a hand full of iron than a pocket full of gold is one proverb I heard a while ago.
This doesn't answer specifics I know but Spanish blade of old do rate high in my eyes.
Without exact dates, I know prior to Industrial revolutions in Europe in the 1800's Spanish steel was some of the finest forged anywhere, much beter than stamped steels that followed.

Gav