Beginners Tool List
Thinking of starting taxidermy? Welcome! I am so thrilled you are joining our industry.
Below I have put together a list, with links, of the tools I feel that would be good for a beginner joining the industry. I own all of these tools below, and use them daily. If you have any questions about learning taxidermy, please don't hesitate to contact me. Alternatively, see the 'mentorship' and 'tuition' boxes 'here'.
Gloves
As a precaution, I recommend wearing gloves for all preperation of skins.
Vinyl: https://amzn.to/3D4e7g0
Latex: https://amzn.to/3N7EB4T
Pliers/Wire Cutters
Useful for cutting bone, but also for wire work.
https://amzn.to/3N5Ltzr
Fine Needles
Depending on what you are working on, a selection is useful. Go as small as you can on small birds.
https://amzn.to/3IuMLAt
Curved Syringe
Useful for the application of caulk.
https://amzn.to/3qmtZVP
Spray Bottles
Great for dousing your specimens with isopropyl or water whilst you are working on them.
https://amzn.to/3ugHqYN
Spring Scissors
Great for accuracy in both skinning and finishing.
https://amzn.to/3wjNK4j
Hairdryer with Cool Setting
Essential for drying all skins.
https://amzn.to/3wmFII2
Hot Glue Gun
For attaching wire to inside skull.
https://amzn.to/3KZHTFj
Scalpel Handles
Having an assortment of sizes will be useful for different elements of preparation.
No.3: https://amzn.to/3JrHqeK
No. 4: https://amzn.to/3uaBP64
No. 7: https://amzn.to/3CY1aUE
Tweezers
Good to have a selection of tweezers for both preparation and grooming. Try to avoid cross contamination.
https://amzn.to/3qh69Lm
https://amzn.to/36dU0Qf
Thread
Good to have an assortment of thicknesses for different strengths of skin.
https://amzn.to/36dZhaD
https://amzn.to/37MujXF
Fine Pins
In my experience I find entomology pins to be the best for the purpose of taxidermy!
https://amzn.to/3Iuijqi
Isopropyl Alcohol
For thawing fragile bird skins.
https://amzn.to/3ijKoWz
Epoxie Sculpt
For anything that requires sculpting, bird faces, repairing beak, hiding wires on branches, building up dioramas etc.
https://amzn.to/3qjXveK
Clay
For filling the skull cavity and helping to restore muscle on face.
https://amzn.to/3IoqMvi
Display Stand/Perch
You can make this from scratch if you prefer but you will need something to mount your birds to.
https://amzn.to/3KW3mz1
Scalpel Blades
Varying sizes of blades to fit the aforementioned handles.
Size 10: https://amzn.to/366ig77
Size 11: https://amzn.to/3Juqu7e
Size 26: https://amzn.to/3qmNOfU