FAQ’s

Q: How does Ken’s Fish Sculptures compare to fish taxidermy and your typical fish reproductions?

A: The answer is quite simple…there is NO comparison!

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of having my trophy fish mounted by a taxidermist?

A: If a reputable licensed professional taxidermist mounts your fish for you it would look nice and could last for many years. However, if done improperly by omitting steps during the process or by not using the best procedures or materials it may not last long at all or even worse, become insect infested and quickly decompose. Unfortunately, a trophy specimen had to be destroyed to get less than acceptable results.

Basically, a skin mount is a chemically tanned fish skin stretched over a fish manikin. It is set out to dry for a few months. Then repairs are made and fillers are applied to restore the many shrunken areas. It is then painted to resemble the colors and pattern of that species. Many taxidermists wait until they receive several fish in their shop before they begin to work on them in a production mode. In most cases it could take up to a year if not longer before you get your fish back.

Q: What is a Typical Reproduction?

A: There is a major misconception about the words Reproduction and Replica. Manufacturers and suppliers call them fish reproductions (replicas) and rightly so because they are a replica of a real fish, just not your fish! Ken believes the word typical best describes all of these reproductions as “Typical Reproductions” because at the very best they resemble, or have the same essential characteristics (species) as your fish. Again, a fish had to be destroyed in order to create a “Typical Reproduction”.

Basically “Typical Reproductions” are made of fiberglass and/or graphite materials. In the industry these reproductions are called fish positives, blanks or castings for which are cast from a mold of at least two parts. Depending on the materials used for the mold, it is possible to cast hundreds of fish positives from a single mold. However, with each casting from a mold the detail can become less and less predominant. The quality of a “Typical Reproduction” is dependant not only on the materials used for the positives but more importantly the materials used to make the mold and how the specimen was prepared for the molding process. Other disadvantages with “Typical Reproductions” are the lack of animation, pose options, surface imperfections, body distortion, visible mold seam and most important, not the exact size and shape as your trophy fish.

Q: Why should I choose a Ken’s Fish Sculptures?

A: “Ken’s Fish Sculptures” are for the angler who absolutely demands nothing but the best “One-Of-A-Kind” replica of their trophy fish. What you want is a fish creation of exact proportions of your original fish. Any imperfections on your original fish can be applied to the sculpture or if you prefer they can be omitted for a perfect specimen replica. All of “Ken’s Fish Sculptures” feature fully animated fins along with correct body contours as if they were alive in their natural habitat. Any pose is obtainable so long as it is natural for the species. Each of Ken's Fish Sculptures are sculpted from a lightweight High Density (HD) Urethane which lends itself well to the detail of a live fish and the durability of that of a “Ken's Fish Reproduction”. They are truly a “One-Of-A-Kind” 3-Dimensional replica (of your fish) that will last a lifetime as any fine arts would. Wall displays (finished on one side) as well as pedestal displays (viewable from all angles) are available with optional habitat (recommended) which compliments the sculpture for a complete display.

Q: Is this urethane you use some sort of foam?

A: It is a type of foam but Ken doesn’t like to use the word foam because the first thing everyone thinks of is Styrofoam. Urethane and Styrofoam have two completely different characteristics. Urethane has a much tighter (denser) cell concentration and is not affected by chemicals such as lacquer paints, sealers etc.

Q: What is the difference between a reproduction and a replica?

A: Again, Ken believes that these two words are used loosely and that there are misconceptions on their definitions. See Ken's Fish Q & A above on “Typical Reproduction”. For Ken's Fish purposes only he defines “Replica” as “One-Of-A-Kind”, not something that is being reproduced over and over. As for “Reproduction”, for Ken's Fish purposes only, is something that is reproduced over and over from a single mold. Ken plans on reproducing some of Ken's Fish “Miniature Series” Sculptures in “Limited Editions”. Ken also has a source for his "Ken's Fish Reproductions" that are anything but "Typical" and are the most realistic "Reproduction" available today.

Q: What kind of wood do you use for your wood sculptures?

A: Ken uses mostly Basswood because it is abundant here in the Midwest and is an excellent wood for sculpting. All of the paired fins on Ken's Fish Wood Sculptures fish are sculpted separately from Tupelo and then inserted later.

Q: Why don’t you offer wood sculptures of larger fish?

A: It’s not that it can’t be done, Ken prefers not to for warranty issues. Wood is very dense, bulky and very heavy and awkward to handle. Larger wood sculptures are cost prohibited due to the excessive time involved in creating them. However, with that said and you still insist on a larger wood sculpture than recommended and don't mind a limited warranty, contact Ken's Fish.

Q: Why does taking a photo of a fish with it vertical more accurate?

A: Anytime you hold up a fish horizontally with two hands you distort the shape and body contours of the fish. Any bends or turns of the fish from a cameras two dimensional perspective distort its overall length. Even when you lay the fish down on a flat surface you will get distortion to a certain degree because the center line of the fish is not parallel to the flat surface. When you hold it vertically the centerline is straight. It’s still not perfect but it’s close. Use your own discretion on handling the fish and what’s best for it to survive when you release it. Just give Ken the best photos you have, he will deal with the rest of it.

Q: What makes your splashes look so real?

A: This question is what the CIA would respond with as “Classified Information” and so does Ken's Fish. However, Ken will share with you that it is a polyester resin that will not yellow over time and will not get cloudy so long as it is enclosed in a protective casing. Kens' splashes are far superior to the stretched out heated broken sheets of plastic you normally see. Go ahead; take a close look at them and you’ll even notice the water droplets on the fins.

Q: How long does it take to complete a fish replica?

A: When Ken's Fish receives an order for commissioned work with the required deposit, it is placed in sequence with existing orders. Each order is then started in that sequence. Ken never gets into a production mode as his total focus and attention is on each piece. This doesn’t mean that he won’t have a few projects going on at the same time as he too must use his time as efficiently as possible. With that in mind every thing else is dependant on the complexity and size of the order. However, when a “Ken's Fish Reproduction” is ordered, Ken places an order with his source immediately for the fish blank as it could take 4 to 8 months for him to receive it. Then when Ken receives the blank and if it’s past due in the sequence he starts working on it immediately. All in all from the time an order is placed (with deposit) with Ken's Fish, be it one of his Sculptures or his Reproductions, it could be anywhere from 3 to 10 months before it is complete and ready to ship.

Q: What kinds of fish do you do? 

A: Ken specializes in all freshwater species that he fishes for himself. That includes most coldwater and warmwater species indigenous to North America. Contact Ken's Fish on any questions pertaining to a fish you are interested in.