Helmut Maier is the author of Kerbschnitzen, ISBN 3-7724-1677-2, ©️1993 (German and English in same book)

When you look at Helmut's chip carving, immediately you notice his precision and mastery of back-to-back grid patterns composed of swirl, Gothic-like shapes.

You'll be equally impressed when you find out that his work is carved in oak!

Oak is quite hard so a sharp knife and good technique are a must. And many of these oak carvings are not small!

The second row, first image, each piece is 48" x 8". 

Also, he chip carves by holding the knife like a pen.

He prefers this grip rather than holding the knife like we do because he says it is "easier to manage when work involves small circles, hard woods, large patterns, fine indentations and accurate inscriptions." 

I discovered Maksim on Instagram and was captured by his unique chip carvings. If you were at the September Webinar, you'll notice that the New Border we carved was inspired by Maksim's carving. (first row, second image) 

I'll let Maksim introduce himself. You can follow him on IG @makes.anatolevich.

My name is Maksim (Maxim) Anatolievich. I am 29 years old, born and raised in the city of Ufa, Russia. I have a family, wife and daughter. I do geometric wood carving and everything that has to do with wood. After by chance seeing a video about wood carving online, I was inspired by the possibility of creating beautiful elements of geometric figures. But true inspiration to do woodcarving and create something beautiful out of wood came with the birth of my daughter. But it didn't come easily, first I bought carving tools and blocks of linden wood and tried carving. Naturally, nothing came out at first, because I have never learned the craft, but in a short time I understood the technique of carving and began to carve difficult geometrical elements. Many didn't believe that I have achieved such results in such a short time. There were many comments that I was lying, but because of that I realized that I was heading in the right direction. I try to create original carving elements or change existing elements. I draw out the design on paper, sometimes directly on wood and start carving. I have learned and am continuing to learn from my own mistakes. In future I would like to create my own workshop called "Oak Branch" where I would do anything which has to do with wood. Thank you all, friends.