“Aetos Dios” by Tristan Dare and Ryan Searls

Inspired by the enigmatic allure of the cosmos and the rich tapestry of ancient Greek mythology, this piece emerges from a collaboration with artist Ryan Searls, renowned for his mastery of Damascus steel and his use of gold. This creation aims to capture the majestic spirit of "Aetos Dios," or the "Eagle of Zeus." Employing ancient techniques, Ryan meticulously folded and manipulated various steels to forge a blade with intricate feather-like patterns.

This blade is adorned with a 24k gold plating that highlights the celestial beauty of the Muonionalusta meteorite, one of the earliest known meteorites, while preserving its ancient Widmanstätten patterns. Tying the idea that the transient nature of beauty inevitably yields to time, Tristan intricately carved a handle with motifs of decay, reflecting the embellishment of time with remnants of 24k gold peeking within its fissures.

The Artists

Tristan Dare
22 years old

Ryan Searls
24 years old

Ryan Searls and Tristan Dare are young craftsmens whose paths in the art of bladesmithing are marked by deep personal commitment and innovation. Ryan, founder of Soul of Creation, melds functionality with beauty, creating knives that are tools with stories forged in steel, infused with his spirit of adventure.

Tristan, delving into crafting blades at the young age of 12, was driven by a strong passion to make each piece better than the last; later mastering the use of exotic materials including Meteorite Iron and becoming an award-winning and world-renowned artist.

Both continue to hone their skills, sharing their process and passion with the world, hoping to inspire with blades that carry stories of resilience and beauty.

Ancient Greek Mythology, and the “Eagle of Zeus”

The Eagle of Zeus, also referred to as Aetos Dios, is a prominent creature in Greek mythology serving as both the symbol and animal companion of Zeus, the king of the gods. This majestic bird is depicted as carrying out the will of Zeus, notably including the retrieval of Zeus's thunderbolts. It also features in the myth of Prometheus, where it is sent to perpetuate Prometheus's punishment by consuming his liver. This eagle not only exemplifies Zeus’s divine authority but also his capacity for both mercy and retribution.

FAQs

  • “Aetos Dios” was a piece we sought to blend both functionality, and artistic vision into a singular piece. This blade is forged, and precision ground into the shape of a Yanagiba knife with a hardened damascus steel, featuring a single-edge design with a concavity on the opposite side; great for food release.

    While we wouldn’t recommend “Aetos Dios” to be used heavily (or in any way it’s not designed to be used, due to the nature of working with ancient impure alloys such as meteorite iron) can absolutely be used for any application where a clean, smooth delicate slice is needed; whether that’s slicing open beautiful steaks or sushi with friends, or preparing a dish where the finest slice truly matters.

  • Yes! We can ship worldwide, though it’s always best to check your local laws and restrictions for importing blades or kitchen utensils.

  • Everywhere you see the bright, stark 24k gold is where we meticulously plated each and every piece of Muonionalusta meteorite, which is one of the oldest meteorites ever recorded!

  • In the year of 2024, from the quaint surroundings of Kuna, Idaho, Tristan extended an invitation to Ryan to join him in his small studio to unfold an artistic collaborative piece. This union bore fruit in the form of "Aetos Dios," their first publicly available piece.

    As the year unfolded, the distinguished Homo faber art venue in Venice, Italy, sought out Tristan's works; opting to showcase this singular piece at their esteemed event.

    Following its illustrious display in Venice, "Aetos Dios" has since made its return to Idaho, poised and primed for acquisition by a discerning collector.

Now available.

Featuring a meticulously crafted blade with a feather-like pattern, plated in 24k gold that highlights the ancient Muonionalusta meteorite, complemented by a handle intricately carved to symbolize the transient nature of beauty. This exquisite creation, blending artistry with cosmic and mythological elements, is now available for sale.