I have mounted a few W/T on these forms for customers and they were pleased with the results, my question regarding these is the brisket, It seems as if the brisket hair pattern is tough to get right on these forms, I checked the orange button an found where a few people altered the brisket area on these forms. I was wondering what type of alteration was being done or if it is just me being to particular. Any advice or info. is greatly appreciated.
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Which Rinehart forms are you referring to? The older John Rinehart or the new Dan Rinehart forms? I might be able to help you if you tall me which ones you are using.
the John Rinehart forms, Up-Right series. I don't have my catalogue here so I'm not sure if there is a series #.
I have never used John Rinehart forms... I was in a seminar with Dan at the Piedmont Show and he aligns his brisket first...but that's on his forms and not his dad's.
I have used both and no longer use either. In fact, I have been trained be two members of the Rinehart. They are decent people. I enjoy using their fish forms(both) and Dan's fish eyes. Both suppliers know the business, NOT whitetails. I tell most people that are starting out, that these forms are like training wheels. These forms are a place to get started, but not forms to be used for very long. John's briskets are extremely short and are sculpted to be used in a two piece mold. Therefor, they can't acheive the proper brisket lines. Dan's briskets are too wide. It appears to me that he took Gene Smiths forms(which he previously sold), cut off the head and attached a head from a different form. The reason i say this is because the neck juncture doesn't flow and is rather rough. Also, I get a little scepticle of "scultors" at competions that have them done and no one actually sees them sculpt it. I'm not saying this is what has happened, but I have overheard other taxidermist saying the same thing at the NTA, WTA, IGT, WTC, and this web site.
Additionally, Pre- set eyes will always crack in time. You can't put epoxy, foam, glass, and leather together and expect them to hold up when they all expand and contract at the different rates. This is simple science.
In conclussion, I will say that both companies are good companies with plusses and minusses. Unfortunately, neither of these wt forms are a form that I would use anymore. My advice would be to try as many different suppliers as possible.
Vermont Valley obviously has something againt Rineharts personally, because he obvously doesn't know squat about their products. The John Rinehart forms are not flawed and in my opinion, they produce very high quality, realistic looking mounts. As for cracking around the eyes, I've mounted tons of them and have never, never had one crack around the eyes, some are now over 10 years old too. Shame on you VV for slandering good products and Rineharts name.
I was taught by Dennis, Johns Brother at the American Institute of Taxidermy. On these forms he showed us how to build up the shoulders and it really sticks out from other mounts. Looks great. IMO these are the most realistic mounts/poses. But McKenzie mounts in my mind reach out and grab the normal guys attention(fat bulky necks). I should probably step up to these mounts but all I have expereince in is the pre set eyes. So I probably need to broaden my horizon. To much to mount so little time!
They're all junk. Why would you use a Rinhart form of any generation when there is so many other legitimate WT headforms out there that are close to correct. But, it's a free country. Just don't whine and wonder why you're having problems mounting them. And, what the hell does "building up the shoulders mean"? Body building?