Hi everyonne i was thinking of ordering some of the new First Honest Whitetail forms from Research Mannikins. Waht is all of your opinions on them. A fellow taxidermist has used the Joe Meder forms from McKenzie and he really likes them but they run around 38$ a piece! I still want to producxe high quality mounts but a little on the cheaper side, So are the First Honest Whitetails really as good as they are put up to be?
Oh yeah and i ahve been looking through their catalog and... what eyes do you order for deer! they only have a couple brands And i dont like any. I really like Van Dykes selection of eyes. I wish Research had more. I will jsut have to ored eyes forn Vans and forms from Research. Any Help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks David
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I've used them several times. The only complaint I have is the head to neck ratio. When I find one with the right neck measurement, the head is way too long. An average buck in our area (southern Missouri) will have a nose-to-eye of 7" and 19" right behind the ears. They are easy to mount on, though, when I've been able to find the right size.
I have also used Coombs, Fosters, McKenzie and some of Van Dyke's (some of those even come with earliners and eyes in your choice of white-rimmed or solid) with good results.
I like the pre-rotated eyes.
I tried a couple of Ben's forms and they look quite nice. Price is right too. The foam is rather soft, but unlike McKenzie's, the capes fit over the head easily.
Thanks i might go ahead and try research this time il just make shure al the measurements are right.. im from northeast Kansas, so i dont know if the forms will fit the deer from round here or not. I havent ever used these pre rotated eyes either.. what are the advantages of them over the normal whait banded ones.. easier to set..? thanks again.
Joe Meders forms too.
Mears form have to thin muzzle and head.
Research are to dante'
You may want to look at the NEW forms by Jody Green from Van Dykes
they are modeled from corn feed deer.
What language is that? Or did you mean 'Dainty?' LOL! =)
David, the pre-rotated are easier to set, if you are going to show any white on the eyes. Say the deer is looking to his left. Rotate the eye so the white is on the front of the left eye, on the back of the right eye. (Look in a mirror, or watch someone else look side to side, you'll see what I mean). Just don't make the mistake of showing too much white, ending up with 'cartoon eyes.' A sliver of white usually looks good, though.
Yep I know, so dont say it.
Though cheap, I have liked the WASCO series mannikins. They are cheap and they look great. Also seem to work better for the Northwest whitetails (washington, oregon, idaho), then some of the other mannikins.