I am starting to immerse myself in all I can find about the walking route between Valencia and Santiago and have come across repeated references to knives in Albacete. I suppose I vaguely knew that this city was Spain's "knife-making capital", but I wonder if anyone has some specific advice on knives to buy for sons-in-law who camp and hike and boulder and generally are outdoors. I got them very nice knives in Conques once when walking in France, but they are now long lost and much missed. So I thought this might be a nice gift, and not too much weight to add to my backpack.

Any specific recommendations on companies, stores, types of knives? Or am I just going to find a large selection of common knives? (not that I really know what a "special" knife is, however).

You're probably looking for something from Miguel Nieto (www.mnieto.com) or Muela (www.muelaknives.com). Both are from Albacete and have been around for years, and offer a wide selection of styles.

For a Spanish knife of a potential different style, you might want to consider http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q...POPFigKdi4CgDQ

We fo9und them in France and we really like their kitchen knife.

I think you will definitely be impressed to see so many knives in one place.. I think the shop owner can also guide you to the best knives for what you want to do. with them and the price you want to pay if you haven't found exactly what you want online.

Here's one shop

http://www.pastorcuchilleria.com/

and

http://www.navajasalbacete.com

and

http://www.jjcuchilleria.com/index.php

with that second one you can have something engraved it seems..

I think lreynold1 should be able to selecto something from the camping stype knives on Miguel Nieto's web site, order them and pick them up once her arrives. But again, there are so many options it makes your head spin... I've picked up a couple that are use for pruning fruit trees and cutting cheese, but they are not camping type knives.

Thanks for all the help. I have noted the store locations and the brands you suggested. Since I will have a short day into Albacete, my idea is to spend the afternoon poking around knife stores, since there doesn't seem to be much else to do in Albacete after the cathedral is visited. Tripadvisor rates the Paseo de Lodares and the Knife Museum as of some interest, so I'll probably head there as well.

I suppose it's wishing for too much to hope there's some great little restaurant in the old part of town?

I'll get the name of a nice restaurant from a friend who lived there for years. I ate at a nice one.. but couldn´t tell you where it was.

Do a search on Google. There are a few, but sadly, none with a Repsol Sun.

Here is just one idea that seems to get good reviews on an often-reliable Spansih-language food site. Taking a look at the menu, I wish I were going with you! I should note that I have never been to Albacete.



http://www.restauranteelcallejon.com...d=47&Itemid=59