I SCREWED UP

The skull cleaners nightmare. I can’t believe I did the unthinkable. Rather than hide behind my mistake I figured I’d put it at the forefront and share with you how I fixed my error. The take away for me is, pay attention, own your mistakes and learn from them.

[@pupfriend]

I know it doesn't apply to this video... but let's say it together! EVERY HOLE, EVERY ORIFICE WHEREVER THERE'S MEAT MAKE IT GO AWAY

[@bbqsauce2]

Wrong, “EVERY HOLE AND EVERY ORFICE, EVERYWHERE THERES MEAT OR TISSUE, MAKE IT GO AWAY”

[@coltobrien6259]

At least he wasn’t mad

[@patrioticlove]

Dude your my hero! True story

[@nickwojieck]

I think it looks pretty solid man. As a Guy that does Euros, I think we are always our worst critics

[@TexasSmoking]

As someone who does euros as well, that is beyond true. Nothings ever perfect

[@barnyardkh4]

As my dad used to say, "Fifty feet and fifty miles an hour, you'll never know the difference!" Seriously, up on the wall amongst other mounts and, like you said, unless you know where to look, most people would never notice. I could barely tell in the final shots and and I was searching for it! Great recovery and thanks for letting us know that you're still human! LOL!!!

[@WHITEBONE]

Thank you brother.

[@van4195]

I SAW THE TITLE AND I IMMEDIATELY FELT SO BAD FOR YOU LMAO

[@DavidGrassSr]

Most people would of just said ... I'm Sorry and that's that ... You went the extra mile and fixed it ?? Looks great, and your Uncle will Love it ??? See Ya

[@MrQuack811]

You're so articulate and well spoken. You have an amazing way of describing stuff for us to understand it easily.

[@wd9581]

I think you did a very good job repairing it. You are your biggest critic.

[@joshpurdy1797]

I think this is great man. Really eye opening and problem solving. You’ve inspired me to start doing this myself. I’m doing euro and antler mounts of some things from my region as well as elsewhere. Turning a hobby into a little side money to help pay off the student loan. Recently finished a euro mount of a full moose skull with the lower jaw. Took quite a while and I learned how to do it from watching your channel. Cheers.

[@richsmith944]

We're all human! We all have made mistakes. The end product looks great. Nice job!! Stay Safe

[@ccloman5631]

Great job correcting that! You are a great man for fixing that correctly and going the extra mile to!

[@brightbkh07]

It looks great man! I didn’t know how you were going to be able to fix it but that’s awesome! Nobody is going to be able to see that unless maybe you tell them where to look. Great job on the repair!

[@MrClovvnz]

I shot my first buck this year, a beautiful 8 point. I would be pretty upset but from what I can see here, you can’t even tell so good work.

[@Rockin_P]

Love your videos, I learned a whole heck of a lot for my business from you. Thanks for always pumping out great content and informative videos!

[@David_Max]

Looks good Ryan, missing your weekly uploads! All the best for 2021 my friend

[@theageingadventurers4283]

Great recovery and thanks for sharing! Amazing work as always!

[@usskullhunter]

Well done man, I think you did the best with what you had. Deeply appreciate the kind words!

[@wyzukee]

You brought it back and it looks great! Awesome job!

[@sfowler8942]

I started doing euro mounts for all of our family hunting group last year. I really appreciate your willingness to teach your method. It is working well for us. I have a skull (dead head) that is messed up and have been considering splicing it into a different skull. I believe the method you used in this video will work pretty well. Thanks for the all help.

[@jonprue8946]

Thank you for sharing that. I love your videos. My 13 year old son shot his first deer back in October (with a bow), then was fortunate enough to tag 2 more (both with a rifle) for a total of 3. We euroed all 3 skulls using the method you show in your videos. They all came out great. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us. It is much appreciated.

[@RandallBackus]

Well done! I know it was made easier to swallow because it was family, and they understood, but I would have felt terrible too. Thanks for the honest assessment, and I think you did very well on the restoration. Love your videos. Merry Christmas!!

[@darkhillseuropeanmountsLLC]

Great job as always Ryan I've learned everything I do from you and thank you for the videos. Hopefully I never make that mistake but if I do I know how to fix it now lol. Thanks again for all your support Ryan especially on Instagram it means the world to me brother. God bless and hope all is well

[@MikeMcInroe]

I so appreciate your admitting a mistake and then am encouraged in how you proceed to show us how to make it right! I think it looks awesome Ryan and thanks for posting....miss watching you do skulls my friend! Mike in sunny Florida

[@ljgaines8170]

I was told a long time ago brother if you don't ever screw up then you are. Don't ever do anything people screw up from time to time always enjoy watching your videos and learn quite a bit out of them I hope you and your family are doing great and I hope you have a great New Year catch you later oh yeah keep your videos coming

[@KeegAnimates]

You are such a good genuinely guy! this video is so wholesome, I'm glad you where able to fix it!

[@MrFishingca]

Well, Like the saying goes Ryan, It happens to the best . Bless

[@matthewmcdaniel8846]

Missed ya bro glad ur back

[@randykopisch3578]

Hey it's good to see you back!!!! Your engineering ideas for that mule deer was awsome, I know you wernt 100% HAPPY with it, but from our view it looked great. Take care, happy New Year. Tour friend from Nebraska

[@Somerandomtileguy]

Merry Christmas and happy new year boss, always love the channel and wisdom your throwing out there cheers from MT

[@honeboys1844]

This makes me feel better. I did a father and sons elk and left in my driveway in the sun for about ten minutes and the neighbors dog came and chewed the nose off of the elk and had it half way to it house before I saw him. Sickening feeling. And a mistake I will never make again. Love the honesty!

[@WHITEBONE]

Thank you brother.

[@haileymiller7796]

Holy shit dude, what’d you do?? I gotta hear the rest the story!

[@gregggibson3109]

Thanks for sharing both your talents and uh-ohs! I enjoyed the video and learned something in the process. I wouldn’t hesitate to hang that skull on my wall.

[@roycaviness1864]

Hey buddy i just finished putting one back together today myself it happens. I think you done a fine job with the fix. I used a 2 part apoxy on mine and used the exact same paint. Keep up the good work god bless .

[@arkansasdetectorist2551]

You did a great job buddy. Good learning moment.

[@danlafleur2151]

We are only human. Cant get it right every time. Like you said. Learn from it so it counts. Awesome fix. Never would have thought to do it that way.

[@isaiahshaffer]

I’m always afraid of messing up, I’m practicing putting antlers on a skull they aren’t from right now, a doe I shot that was a buck the antlers came off early and antlers from a deer of my great grandfathers that fell off when he shot it back in the 60’s, may never use the skill again but practice never hurts, either way I’m currently trying to blend bondo just like you in this video, it came at the right time! You are truly awesome

[@jonathankube7049]

I think he did a hell of a job. He messed up and made a mistake and did amazing fixing it

[@alexpenner2841]

you should upload more on your youtube you have a great channel

[@brennancusick2390]

Great work Ryan. If you never told anyone they'd probably not eve notice! I'm sure next time you pick up a saw you'll double check though!

[@joebotti246]

Man ur an artist. Awesome video love watching ur stuff.

[@thehunterscorner2.011]

I just did my first skull based on your method a doe mule deer and it turned out great thanks for sharing your method

[@muleykilla1863]

Most of us are extremely hard critics of our own work. I have been doing euros for a few years for hundreds of people and it seems I can never make one look perfect TO ME. But 99 percent of the time it looks perfect or at least close to the customer. This skull looks awesome to me but I’m sure if I was the one that did it I would see it completely differently. You did a great job on this repair

[@WHITEBONE]

Thank you brother.

[@glennjohnston1878]

Taxidermy 30 foot rule my friend...LOOKS GREAT!!

[@WHITEBONE]

Haha I like that rule.

[@montanatreasurehunter9600]

It turned out good for what had happened. I put up alot of coyotes for myself and other people and when one for a customer gets tore or slips for some reason I feel horrible even if it wasn't my fault. I feel your pain but you recovered your mistake pretty well. Hope I never have to use this method lol. Thanks for the video!

[@willlothridge3197]

I think you did a fine job recovering from the mistake

[@camdenketchum8055]

I had this same problem, the best thing that I found was to mix super glue and white baking powder together. You have to work fast but once it’s on, wait until it’s tacky and then run a damp cloth over to make a smooth transition. After that whiten the skull, making the glue filler and bone the same color.

[@highway9ca693]

For woodwork I add sawdust in glue or in your case bone dust to the glue to match the finish. Might work in this case too. It’s never perfect but could help

[@ericalbright7000]

I use super glue and bone dust when I mess up skull carving. Fills in the oops gaps really well

[@WHITEBONE]

Love it. Thank you.

[@willkibbe2029]

I think it looks pretty damn good man

[@sean5443]

Something that might be helpful is too look at dental appliance manufacturing stone/ceramic type products. Its possible to use them to fill the gap and its designed to be bondable to other bone type materials and be extremely durable and you can make any shade, colour, tone, shine etc. Not the most inexpensive method but if done correctly no one would ever never notice it has been repaired.

[@muhammadimranurrasheed6036]

Love you sir love to see especially your skull cleaning videos from Pakistan❤🇵🇰

[@curtguru]

Well done!

[@CharlieCaldarera]

Great job! I had a taxidermist accidently cut the antlers off of a skull I wanted to do a European mount with, so he did a shoulder mount for me for free. I would rather he had done what you just did with this skull instead of mounting it.

[@lovejoy1230]

love the content keep up the great work! The repair looks great, its refreshing to see you go the extra mile to make it right. On a similar note I am looking for some advice on how you ensure you don't blow a hole in the thin bone in the back of the eye socket. I seem to blow a hole in it with the pressure washer no matter how much I try no to. Any advice to not do so?

[@dashizzle3721]

Man that is awesome fix!!! I tried to fix a few things of smaller and they never come out that good. Awesome work!!!!!

[@sorensonsavageful]

I've had some shot through skulls and pretty bad mess ups I've had to fix, epoxy sculpt does wonders. Also, take the skull to lowes and have them color match the skull on their machine, makes a great paint for the skull

[@MsRemmington]

Wow ... you can’t see your mistake . You did it beautiful 😇

[@qty87]

Not bad but I would have used a different approach, I prefer to use bone dust with Super Glue. What you have to do is to put a drop of Super Glue on the gap and then put bone dust on top of the Super glue until you fill the gap, keep doing along the gap. At the end sand it down with the dremel. With this technique you will have a nice matte finish, no paint needed. Try it!!! I really hope you like it.

[@darkhillseuropeanmountsLLC]

Heck yeah shout out to Hunter he is such a great dude!!!

[@entr3_nou5]

I deadass thought this was gonna be an apology video lmao

[@vincentmccay1955]

If you ever need to patch or repair holes in bone again, try using a gel coat repair kit or marine tex. You can color match with the repair kit. The marine tex is more durable and can be drilled.

[@Pippinm7]

It looks legit! Nice job 👍

[@toreyyoung1518]

There is a company out of Oregon that told me where to purchase the material to metalize skulls. My buddies from hydrodip.com led me to him. Primer and then you stipple brush the metal acrylic on it and bronze it, silver, or copper. Looks kick Ars's!

[@jormungandrw-7491]

You should paint it like a cool design painted in the skull

[@kjdexotics9034]

Ooopppsss. We all make mistakes it's how you can deal with it that counts. Iv just found your channel and have binge watched it for the last week. I'm far from an expert well if I'm honest I know nothing at all but you seem to be very good at what you do and 8 couldn't tell there was anything wrong with the finished example but I know what it's like to mess something up that only you can see

[@roni8644]

listen we all make mistakes, dont beat yourself up over it. it an live and learn situation and it didn't even look that bad before you painted it im not lying to you but the paint made it look as good as it was before, anyways I love your videos and be safe :)

[@BigBaitsBigFish]

Cant even tell bro u alway do amazing work no matter what 🤙

[@gogojjt]

Maybe fumed silica, poly fiber, or milled glass fiber, or industrial talc mixed with a clear epoxy and white hardener might of worked. I call it a milkshake when I use it in car audio/bodywork projects. Kind of like wood dust/glue when working with wood like other ppl have stated.

[@WHITEBONE]

Thank you.

[@MiTorito1]

I think you did great In owning the mistake and trying to make the best out of it. That speaks highly of you brother. What are your thoughts on the “hydro dipped skulls”?

[@helamantait9419]

If I have to paint I through some painters tape on the teeth to keep their natural color. They are easy to tape on the gum line. Keeps them looking natural

[@Lettuce_Artz]

might of been a mistake but you was able to effortlessly bring it to its former beauty! good on uncle to be chill about it! hope you bring out more amazing videos and have a nice day c:

[@ericbrinkley8357]

Wish you would have made this video 6 months ago lol. Been there done that. I ended up using a pinchback reproduction. I don't like using them but customer was happy. Your videos are great thanks for doing them.

[@boneheadsoutdoors6555]

great video

[@daddybuck9466]

Great job. And thanks for this video bud nice.

[@kjoutdoors5685]

I screwed up this year too. I finished a skull for my dad and my dog got to it, ate the whole front of the skull. I felt so bad

[@jamesblount4916]

I specifically ask the taxidermy shop not to paint my european mount and asked if they used flesh eating beatles. They boiled the skull way to long, painted it anyway, and plugged all the holes with bondo. I would have been better off trying to do it myself.

[@moomoo9611]

You don’t make mistakes - you make opportunities

[@johnkasziewicz405]

In the taxidermy shop i work at we use a product called magic sculpt to cover it up it seems then sand it down and paint it with a paint that's called flex they use it usually for covering up stains from mold very close to a bone color

[@DanielSturge]

Was sent here by Tom Keltesch over at Tom Keltesch and Everything out doors. Craft content. Sometimes that's just the way it goes.

[@WHITEBONE]

Welcome.

[@zBruha]

Nice job Ryan!! Glad Mr. Bean made an appearance as well!

[@rileybump]

Nice

[@franzdelrim1503]

Hey, Ryan, you might benefit from taking off the auditory bool like you do but then grind it up and mix it into some epoxy and put the epoxy in that groove there. Kinda like you do with a scrape in a table and sawdust.

[@reidhiltunen7170]

Borax and super glue on the cracks works like magic

[@victorlui5955]

Happy new year!!! ❤

[@timothymizell8631]

Looks nice, repair work...thumb 2 up. I've made the mistake of not watching my labs while skinning out heads. They destroyed three skulls in a matter of minutes as I was powerwashing others. I had to take my personal heads, cut the antlers off even with the base and put my friends antlers on my skulls. Its works, but its a pain in the backside. Have you ever done that? If so, would love to see a video.

[@calveryc1]

Dude it looks great

[@jsnyder775]

Krylon Chalky Finish classic white works for touch up.

[@alanb.5445]

In woodworking I sometimes mix sawdust with clear epoxy to fill gouges. Could you do the same with bone dust? I'm a gunsmith, not a taxidermist.

[@pierrepilarferreira2880]

hello Ryan, i'm looking at you from belgium. you inspire me a lot and your techniques are very effective! unfortunately, I can't find the products you use in our stores (oxiclean, peroxide, mop and glo). can you advise me of others? I replaced the oxiclean with oxi action washing powder and the peroxide with oxygenated water. keep it up! great job! hello from Belgium 😉

[@claym1826]

you should try to intentionally mess up one that wont matter, then use the same method of bondo.. but to get the color right, hand sand the skull to get some white skull powder, then put some super glue in the crack and put the powder on it.. sorta like wood workers do to fill in cracks.. may or may not work... but worth a try to know if it would be an option for if there is another time.. but the repair here still looks good.

[@baylorbear6566]

I had idea while when you used the Dremel. What if you were to take an extra piece of bone (like a jaw bone from the jar in the back) and make some bone dust using the Dremel. Then you could apply super glue (or another type of clear adhesive) and fill in the crack with bone dust, and then sand smooth.

[@Weatherby406]

Everybody makes mistakes in every industry.. The best people at there jobs are the ones who can hide there mistakes the best.

[@seanthomas8487]

Great video

[@kevinlaroche3886]

Could you do like us woodworkers do ! Which is use the sanding dust from the skull or bone and add glue to it to use as a filler ? That way the color is there ! Just a thought. Let me know what u think

[@baileyogburn4315]

I think it turned out awesome, the only thing I would have done differently would have been tape the teeth off to keep that natural color. It would have made a little bit more contrast when looking at the skull and not had as much of the paint look. Either way it was an incredible reconstruct and your uncle can be proud if it!

[@Hayo440]

Dude, you could have taken some other whitened bone, crush it into a power or dust. Use your dremil to take some of the bondo at the seam to create a crack the fill it with either a clear epoxy and the crushed bone or a white epoxy and crushed bone to achieve that color you were looking for.

[@BrileyWray]

ive used white wood filler to fix skulls before. my dog ate the nose end of a skull off and i was able to use a doe nose and patch it on the customers. turned out pretty good. free of charge of course

[@davyjones922]

Would it have been easier to disguise or blend if you would have cut the antlers off at the bases and attached them to another skull? Just thinking you could have blended or hid the seam up under the bases instead of spray painting the skull and covering the natural bone look. Just a thought. Great work though!!

[@lucasfennema6778]

Hey it may not be perfect but from a distance it’s looks great and escpecislly if they didn’t know it was messed up a bit it wouldn’t look bad at all good job man lover ur buds keep up the good work

[@unorec1983]

take a bit of mud or a dirt color pain and very lightly rub it on and then wipe it off works great for aging models so might work to make it look more natural

[@kennynewell85]

Learning from our mistakes is what life is all about. You could have kept this to yourself and only a few would ever have known. I commend your openness to share in success and failure. 👍🏻