The Beginning
"I began woodworking when I was roughly 11-12 years old… Long before I started metalsmithiing. It was never an initial interest of mine, until later in my life when I slowly found where I felt my creative expression felt most natural.
My interest in woodworking as a young child began with my grandfather. He was a woodworker with quite some experience and skill, and it had taken to my interest eventually when I was curious to be involved in what he was making. During the time I started making my first pieces, I began carving small sculptures and playing around here and there with different projects. At that time I didn't have any interest in working with metal. I was very interested in woodworking, in which over the course of about 2-3 years I put enough attention into it where I started doing competition woodworking up against very talented artists in Arizona.
I made countless pieces. While my interests with creating things started to pick up, so did I realize my uncle’s interests in woodworking as well, but he was more intuitive with the bladesmithing aspect and re-handling old knives he had. Very soon, I started to get myself interested in making my own chisels for woodworking. Soon enough not long after beginning my woodworking adventure, I tried my hand making my own tools a couple times, I then tried making knives. From there I got caught into it, and left woodworking to pursue my interests in bladesmithing a couple years in. When I started I had no help, no tutor, no teacher... Even to this day I have been completely self-taught. I taught myself over time what I know now through trial and error, and experimenting with new and interesting processes. After a few years of bladesmithing later, I wanted to take my skills to a professional level. I learned from others’ processes and techniques and quality by watching and studying what I could from books and resources online, and began making damascus steel and fabricating my own patterns and alloys.
Since then, I have continued to teach myself to create better quality pieces; and have pushed myself far enough that my work has now deviated into a niche of working with high-quality and rare materials from both across the world, and, out of this world...
I have grown an undying passion for this craft, I'm eternally thankful to chase this dream and I hope to do this for the rest of my life…"
~ Tristan Dare
Frequently asked questions
Are these creations forged from real meteorite?
Yes,
I work with (mainly) the Muonionalusta meteorite. One of the key components in my pieces is the preservation of the Widmanstätten patterns in the blades, with exception to some blades that have recycled offcuts or dust from cutting. This is a pattern formed by slow cooling in space that creates a crystal structure in the meteorite iron. This pattern varies in size and shape depending on the type of meteorite. To an experienced eye, this pattern is quite recognizable when it's genuine. Some crystal structures are similar in shape that are present on Earth, though meteorite is completely unique as it consists of alloys unknown to earth such as Kamacite and Taenite; with a structure in meteorites so coarse it's visible to the naked eye. Each of my blades also come with a Certificate Of Authenticity to verify all medium and material.
What makes meteorite special in a piece, does it have important properties?
Meteorite does not add additional properties that make it a better alloy in terms of usability or durability. It is a very complex and problematic alloy to work with, and while it adds no additional properties that compare it better to manufactured alloys; the intrinsic nature of an ancient alloy from another planet holds more weight in story, historical significance and owning a piece of the universe in its truest form.
Are your creations 100% meteorite?
These blades are not 100% meteorite.
The percentage of meteorite used is indicative to the budget of the customer it's being commissioned for, and the amount of preserved meteorite that can be used before the piece experiences a loss in practicality of being able to be preserved properly. Depending on construction and the piece, can be anywhere from 10% to 100% meteorite.
Does meteorite rust more than normal steel?
Some meteorite specimens has shown to rust far less quickly and less corrosive than normal carbon steel (such as 1084, o1 and 1095). This would be due to the higher nickel content within the meteorites that cause it to have a greater rust resistance. Due to my pieces being forged with high carbon steel much of the time, they do have the risk of oxidization over time like other steels do.
To work around this issue, on some pieces I have gold plated the meteorite portions in 24k gold to allow the meteorite to be protected. In other or same instances, the blade is coated in a black rust-resistant oxide that allows the blade to repel moisture and further prevent oxides from forming (a similar process used on firearms). The blade is then coated in a thin layer of food safe wax that is buffed away. This does not eliminate rust from ever forming again, but provides a greater protection to use and allows the piece to maintain functionality and preservation for long periods of time.
Can you ship worldwide?
Yes! Shipping is calculated based on your location and the items in your order. You will always know the shipping price and availability before you purchase.
Are you able to craft a custom piece for a client?
Yes,
I accept custom orders upon request. I strive to maintain full artistic control to maintain that the piece being crafted is my very best work, quality and expression.