Shark forms

Mike, I don't know of ANYONE who makes shark forms. Do you understand what you're getting into with a skin mounted shark. There's no way I'd ever offer that option to a customer. It's repro or out the door.

 

You need to charge about 50% more from repro's. In my old age, I've just got lazier (or burned out would be a better statement). I use George McGinnity because he's closeby, but I call him up and get a price on a fish "customer ready". I take that price and add 10% for shipping and handling and then add $150 and that's what price I quote the customer. Most of the larger fish simply overpower my shop and sanding, finishing and painting them entails trashing my shop for days. If the fish is too big for George to send UPS, I just drive up, get it, and call the customer. George finishes them much better than I would anyway. LOL

As for your case, I wouldn't eat it. Just be up front with your customer. Tell him after researching it, you've learned it couldn't be done and because of that, he's in a new dimension now with increased production costs. It's all true.

 

MAYBE another option, if the customer INSISTS on a skin mount and is willing TO PAY..........find a reproduction that size, skin the shark, remove the fins and place the skin over the reproduction..........never heard of this being done but it's the closest I can come to giving the customer a skin mount!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jerry

 

Mike I mounted a hammerhead{Small] once for the yellllllll of it.Looked like a prune over my carved form.Better go repro. Gene

 

They can be done. I wouldn't do one. I took one in the other day for repairs. I was awful very lumpy and heavy. I'm doing him a reproduction but using the real teeth.

 

I tried doing a sand shark one time. Big Mistake. The skin shriveled up so bad it was sickening. Take George's advice. Do a repro.