European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 8, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse Where swords and craftsmanship go hand in hand swords a including Many for the . Military a have been made at this shop for More than 70 years. I k by David Tarrant staff writer a Jose de la Cruz Sanchez flexed the . Marine sword at a 45-degree Angle. A you see you can Bend it and then it will go right Back to its own shape Quot said Sanchez. Indeed when Sanchez released it the sword straightened out. Quot that s the secret Quot he said. Quot that s what makes them so famous Here Quot is the firm of Bermejo one of the world s leading sword makers located in the historical town of Toledo in South Central Spain. Tucked away in a Cobblestone Alley and distinguished Only by a Small sign outside the building Bermejo s modest appearance disguises a robust International business. The ceremonial swords made by Bermejo go to customers As varied and far Flung As the Vatican s Swiss guard and Iraq s notorious Saddam Hussein. Other buyers include the . Navy the air Force West Point and the air Force Academy. Sanchez said that of the 20,000 swords made each year by Bermejo about half go to the . Military. The firm also makes All the swords for the Spanish military As Well As for the armed forces of Many latin american countries and for some of the world s most celebrated bullfighter. % a typical military sword might Cost from $150 to $300, Sanchez said. Those with More ornate designs or expensive materials Cost about $1,500 a oils More. Most swords Are made from holds created to meet the specifications of customers who Are buying in Quantity. But it is not uncommon for the firm to make a sword completely by hand. Bermejo was founded in 1918, but it was not until the mid-1950s that the Spanish firm was discovered by the . Military. The firm first made swords for the Navy and soon word of their work spread. Quot once the other services saw the Quality they started asking for them also Quot Sanchez said. Quot the . Market has become very important to major difference Between Bermejo and its competitors Sanchez insisted is the Quot Toledo Bend Quot referring to the uniquely resilient Quality of Toledo steel. Quot we do not have an exclusive hold on the american Market. But with these other firms when you Bend the sword it stays that what gives the sword its resiliency Toledo steel is tempered for flexibility. Beyond that Sanchez said Only that the steel also contains Quot a secret the swords Are Eye catching works of Art. In a display Case in the building s second floor showroom lies a Saber for a Marine non commissioned officer. The handle is made from brass shined to a Golden finish and trimmed with leather. The polished steel of the Blade glints Sparks Fly As Jose Luis Rossel a sword craftsman polishes a Blade on an Emery wheel. The company s line includes suits of Armor that Cost up to $4,000. Stripes Magazine August 8, 1991 \
