Richard Maier

Trompeter & Ritchi

Engraver

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The poetry of engraving

Richard engraves items such as hunting guns and knives
His work is far more than a passion, it’s 'my life'
He compares the art of engraving to poetry

Richard Maier’s childhood dream was to become an engraver. At the beginning of the 1980s, he attended the engraving course at the HTBL Ferlach institute in Austria. One day the teacher told his father that he was the worst student he had ever had, and that he had better leave school... However, not only did Richard graduate and go on to have a successful career in engraving, a few years ago he was invited to teach students on a workshop at the same school. That’s why his message to young people is: “Believe in yourself and what you do!” In 1994 he started his business with German knife maker Egon Trompeter; since 2008 Maier has been the sole owner of Trompeter & Ritchi.

Interview

How would you define what you do?
I see my work as poetry, which requires knowledge of words and the making of sentences, which is akin to the art of engraving: grinding a stylus and engraving a simple line is like learning the alphabet. My engravings are poems, they tell stories.
How do tradition and innovation combine in your work?
I created my own personal engraving and scrimshaw style, which is well known as the Trompeter & Ritchi style. But in general it is a never-ending process of learning and developing new techniques and mixing them with traditional techniques. I aim for perfection.
What inspires you?
Animals, wildlife, nature, music, Africa... and the craft itself. I think I do the oldest job of mankind. The oldest known art objects are carved and engraved sculptures made on mammoth ivory. Those artefacts are more than 32,000 years old.
How many knives do you produce?
Every year only a few exhibits leave the workshop. Our knives are made entirely by hand thanks to the specialised skills of various craftsmen. We often also make bespoke knives, according to our customers’ wishes.

Richard Maier is a master artisan: he began his career in 1980 and he started teaching in 1986