OK, I started a thread a little while back on using artificial skulls for European mounts. Well I have decided that I will be doing all my European mounts using the artificial skulls form now on. I have done a couple more since the last posting and now that I some examples of Euro mounts with the artificial skulls up in my studio, the last two customers choose having their European mounts done with artificial skulls because they liked them better. I don't have any real skull European mounts displayed any more. I think it is the wave of the future using the reproductions. It saves me so much time and hassle that the extra $36 for the skull is worth it in my book. I'm charging $125 for a European mount. Here's a photo of a European mount on a wall pedestal. I charge extra for the wall pedestal. I will offer the customers the option of either a bleached white finish or a more natural ivory color.
http://www.trophyspecialist.com/europeanmount1.JPG
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I guess it all comes down to personal choice. example. Would i like to have a replica of a large non typical boone and crockett whitetail rack. Yes i would. If i had a choice of a replica booner or a real booner what would i take. Easy choice, the real. But of course the real costs more. Lets talk skulls. I definatley like the real, especially the way I do them when the skull comes out real white. Cost factor, very little difference. I can do the real thing, real skull for my customers for $85. I guess I have a hard time understanding why someone would also want to have each antler cut off to be pinned on a fake skull. Again, personal choice. What i mean by white skull have a look at my African lion skull for sale on ebay # 7217292008. Mike, as long as your customers are happy with it go for it. Skullery...Jeff
You don't have to cut the each antler off. You just cut the antler plate off as usual for a antler mount and it fits into the slot of the artificial skull. They also make them with pins for sheds, which I've used before with good results.
Do you sketch in sutures on your skulls when you fill in around the skull plate? I charge 90.00 for a large whitetail or mulie and some whine about that till they get see the finished skull. I really DO like the artificial skulls but prefer the real deal more, teeth, nasal detail, sutures. If I went to "European" or Swiss/German Alpine type Restaurant and all the decor or mounts were artificial....I might feel cheated. The artificial skull might appeal more to a "Greener" crowd(leaflickers) or non-hunting types more.
for a customer, and can't wait to try it. He had found some sheds, and didn't want to spend alot of money (buying a hide and having a mount done), so I asked him if he would be interested in something like this. He jumped on the idea. I see this as another oppurtunity to satisfy a loyal customer. JMO
Bill
I just had a customer come in yesterday. He had two old racks from past years and was originally going to get two antler mounts done. When I told him of the reproductin skull option and and showed him how they looked compared side by side, he opted for European mounts instead. I charge $50 more for a European mount over an antler mount and it actually takes me a little less time to do the Euro mount on the artificial skulls. For antler mounts I use a flocking proceedure.
Where can I obtain a good quality artificial skull?