When someone walks into our workshop for the first time, one thing usually catches their eye: mounts in the drying phase, literally covered with dozens or even hundreds of pins.
It looks unusual. Sometimes even a little funny. But this is one of the most important stages of the entire process.
Every pin holds the hide exactly where it needs to be. It shapes the fine lines around the eyes, tightens the corners of the mouth, follows the muscles of the neck, and keeps the ears perfectly symmetrical.
Bit by bit, the details of the final expression begin to form — the same details the mount will carry for many years.
With large animals — bears, lions, leopards, kudu, and warthogs — the number of pins can easily reach into the hundreds.
And every single one serves one purpose: to ensure the animal looks natural and properly “dynamic” once finished, as if caught in a moment of motion.
While some foreign studios (especially our American colleagues) skip this phase and rely more on chemicals and fast-curing adhesives, we stick to the proven European standard.
It is slower and far more labour-intensive, but the results truly show. And above all — they last.
Once the mount is dry, all pins are removed. What remains is a clean line, a firm shape, and a level of detail you can’t miss on the finished trophy.
➡️ Want to see more of our work? Visit us, follow us on social media, or stop by the workshop — we’ll be happy to show you how the process looks up close.
