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Taxidermist - who's the best?
14 February 2019, 00:33
jcorryTaxidermist - who's the best?
Colin Dunton has done most of my African stuff, but now I'm hunting more specialised African animals, and might opt for a full mount.
Who do you think is the best taxidermist in Europe? Lets say a full mount Bongo or Mountain Nyala? There is not much choice in the UK...
John
14 February 2019, 15:01
Hunt InterStick with Colin, or look to Jacob Strunge in Denmark. I had some work done by him and was top class.
14 February 2019, 17:38
jcorryquote:
Originally posted by Hunt Inter:
Stick with Colin, or look to Jacob Strunge in Denmark. I had some work done by him and was top class.
Thanks - looked at Jacob’s work and it’s really impressive. Not sure how practical it is to ship/dip to Denmark then onto UK ...
John
14 February 2019, 17:46
Hunt Interquote:
Originally posted by jcorry:
quote:
Originally posted by Hunt Inter:
Stick with Colin, or look to Jacob Strunge in Denmark. I had some work done by him and was top class.
Thanks - looked at Jacob’s work and it’s really impressive. Not sure how practical it is to ship/dip to Denmark then onto UK ...
I drive it a few times a year so could help, otherwise it's easy enough to get back on a lorry or courier.
14 February 2019, 17:51
jcorryquote:
Originally posted by Hunt Inter:
quote:
Originally posted by jcorry:
quote:
Originally posted by Hunt Inter:
Stick with Colin, or look to Jacob Strunge in Denmark. I had some work done by him and was top class.
Thanks - looked at Jacob’s work and it’s really impressive. Not sure how practical it is to ship/dip to Denmark then onto UK ...
I drive it a few times a year so could help, otherwise it's easy enough to get back on a lorry or courier.
I sent Jacob a message - do you think he’s much better than Colin? Jacob’s photographer is certainly talented...
John
14 February 2019, 18:11
Hunt Interquote:
Originally posted by jcorry:
quote:
Originally posted by Hunt Inter:
quote:
Originally posted by jcorry:
quote:
Originally posted by Hunt Inter:
Stick with Colin, or look to Jacob Strunge in Denmark. I had some work done by him and was top class.
Thanks - looked at Jacob’s work and it’s really impressive. Not sure how practical it is to ship/dip to Denmark then onto UK ...
I drive it a few times a year so could help, otherwise it's easy enough to get back on a lorry or courier.
I sent Jacob a message - do you think he’s much better than Colin? Jacob’s photographer is certainly talented...
Sent you a PM.
14 February 2019, 23:16
Big Wonderful WyomingHe's ok, he doesn't really have a personality.
One of the better ones in Germany.
I personally think that Wolfgang Schenk is better, and their customer service is really good.
15 February 2019, 01:06
Charlie64.
John hi,
Tough question. Lengthy opinion.....
Without counting, I guess that my wife and I have some 60-70 taxidermy mounts inc cats, birds, fish and spread across shoulder mounts, pedestals, a few full mounts and loads of rugs and hides. Mainly Africa but a lot of Europe too.
Doesn't make me an expert but we have dealt with a number of taxidermists over the years.
I find that some guys are great on cats, others great on small mammals, some super on birds but average on other things, we know two taxidermists that are excellent on warthog and pigs and others who churn them out in battleship grey and so on and so on.
My opinion once they (the businesses) get large they loose there artistic touch and become like factories - churning out the same old same old from the same moulds. We visited a taxidermy in Namibia a while back, they had about 40 kudu on the wall and other than the horns they all looked the same - big thick rutting necks and dull faces.
We have settled on one taxidermist in RSA for our Africa stuff and I too am looking for someone in Europe / Germany, for some 2019 'critters' we hope to hunt.
I spoke at length to Martin Berndt of same name Tierpraeparation, Salzkotten, Germany, at the Dortmund show and I think I will be giving him a couple of the European trophies to mount in 2019. I liked his work, he is bespoke, listened to my ideas and 'gets it'! He asked if he can mount a puku that my wife shot in Zambia last year, but that's going to our RSA taxidermist!
Poor taxidermy can ruin the great memories of a hunt. Great taxidermy is like art and IMO a joy to look at.
My 2 cents
Charlie
.
"Up the ladders and down the snakes!"
15 February 2019, 01:52
Jason Pquote:
Originally posted by Charlie64:
.
John hi,
Tough question. Lengthy opinion.....
Without counting, I guess that my wife and I have some 60-70 taxidermy mounts inc cats, birds, fish and spread across shoulder mounts, pedestals, a few full mounts and loads of rugs and hides. Mainly Africa but a lot of Europe too.
Doesn't make me an expert but we have dealt with a number of taxidermists over the years.
I find that some guys are great on cats, others great on small mammals, some super on birds but average on other things, we know two taxidermists that are excellent on warthog and pigs and others who churn them out in battleship grey and so on and so on.
My opinion once they (the businesses) get large they loose there artistic touch and become like factories - churning out the same old same old from the same moulds. We visited a taxidermy in Namibia a while back, they had about 40 kudu on the wall and other than the horns they all looked the same - big thick rutting necks and dull faces.
We have settled on one taxidermist in RSA for our Africa stuff and I too am looking for someone in Europe / Germany, for some 2019 'critters' we hope to hunt.
I spoke at length to Martin Berndt of same name Tierpraeparation, Salzkotten, Germany, at the Dortmund show and I think I will be giving him a couple of the European trophies to mount in 2019. I liked his work, he is bespoke, listened to my ideas and 'gets it'! He asked if he can mount a puku that my wife shot in Zambia last year, but that's going to our RSA taxidermist!
Poor taxidermy can ruin the great memories of a hunt. Great taxidermy is like art and IMO a joy to look at.
My 2 cents
Charlie
.
Anyone considering any type of taxidermy work should read the above post. Its sound advice!
17 February 2019, 01:56
jcorryquote:
Originally posted by Charlie64:
.
John hi,
Tough question. Lengthy opinion.....
Without counting, I guess that my wife and I have some 60-70 taxidermy mounts inc cats, birds, fish and spread across shoulder mounts, pedestals, a few full mounts and loads of rugs and hides. Mainly Africa but a lot of Europe too.
Doesn't make me an expert but we have dealt with a number of taxidermists over the years.
I find that some guys are great on cats, others great on small mammals, some super on birds but average on other things, we know two taxidermists that are excellent on warthog and pigs and others who churn them out in battleship grey and so on and so on.
My opinion once they (the businesses) get large they loose there artistic touch and become like factories - churning out the same old same old from the same moulds. We visited a taxidermy in Namibia a while back, they had about 40 kudu on the wall and other than the horns they all looked the same - big thick rutting necks and dull faces.
We have settled on one taxidermist in RSA for our Africa stuff and I too am looking for someone in Europe / Germany, for some 2019 'critters' we hope to hunt.
I spoke at length to Martin Berndt of same name Tierpraeparation, Salzkotten, Germany, at the Dortmund show and I think I will be giving him a couple of the European trophies to mount in 2019. I liked his work, he is bespoke, listened to my ideas and 'gets it'! He asked if he can mount a puku that my wife shot in Zambia last year, but that's going to our RSA taxidermist!
Poor taxidermy can ruin the great memories of a hunt. Great taxidermy is like art and IMO a joy to look at.
My 2 cents
Charlie
.
Many thanks. I completely agree!
Full mounts (in particular the bases) are so hard to get right. I like to imagine clicking my fingers and the animal moving!
I just really hope I choose the right guy. There's nothing worse than seeing those dark/dull/oiled horns on the wall.
John
17 February 2019, 14:56
Charlie64.
John, I especially agree with you on the bases and materials used.
More and more I actually collect earth, old wood, dried grasses or twigs etc from the area I am hunting for use in the taxidermy.
These two greywing from RSA for example, I collected the vegetation (seed grasses) from the Free State where we were shooting and the taxidermist incorporated them in the mount based on my ideas. Turned out better than I had hoped!
Vegetation, wood, twigs, grasses, grit, stones and soil and the odd spent shot cartridge have all found their way into my taxidermy projects. And I like to think that the taxidermists have enjoyed working on some of my (crazy) ideas!!
Good luck!
.
"Up the ladders and down the snakes!"
18 February 2019, 00:33
CaracalMartin Berndt did my own LD Eland.
He is a very good taxidermist and puts a lot of work into details.
I was happy with his work.
18 February 2019, 11:14
Charlie64.
Well that's two votes for Martin
Nice mount Dennis.
As I said before, I'll be giving Martin my 2019 European trophies to work on.
Cheers
.
"Up the ladders and down the snakes!"
19 February 2019, 00:28
reddy375DO NOT USE
http://www.schenk-taxidermy.com/taxidermy-studio.htmlSCHENK TAXIDERMY IN GERMANY ERIC SCHENCK IS A LIAR AND CROOK. I HAVE HUGE PROBLEMS WITH HIM.
19 February 2019, 15:23
CaracalMay I ask what problems Arjun?
I have to admit there are some VERY mixed reports on him and I know a few guys that are not happy!
01 March 2019, 23:41
mboga biga bwanaquote:
Originally posted by reddy375:
DO NOT USE
http://www.schenk-taxidermy.com/taxidermy-studio.htmlSCHENK TAXIDERMY IN GERMANY ERIC SCHENCK IS A LIAR AND CROOK. I HAVE HUGE PROBLEMS WITH HIM.
When Wolfgang Schenk was running the Show sure his Company was one of the World Wide Top Taxidermists. He is retired and not so healthy now and stays a lot in South Africa nowdays.
Nec Timor Nec Temeritas
02 March 2019, 20:17
Nortonquote:
Originally posted by reddy375:
DO NOT USE
http://www.schenk-taxidermy.com/taxidermy-studio.htmlSCHENK TAXIDERMY IN GERMANY ERIC SCHENCK IS A LIAR AND CROOK. I HAVE HUGE PROBLEMS WITH HIM.
How does one drop this here without an explanation? Baseless allegations can ruin a person's life. If I ever win the lottery I'll be starting an organization that fights to severely punish people for making false allegations.