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Real formulas. Real instruction. Real results—since the beginning.

Trusted by Generations

Real formulas. Real instruction. Real results—since the beginning.

Trusted by Generations

The Man Who Took Every Call.

A Life Built by Hand: Remembering Dale Knobloch

There are names that linger because they stamped themselves onto a product label or a business card. And then there are names like Dale Knobloch’s—etched instead into the bones of a craft, into the culture of a field.

Dale’s story began at 14, not in a boardroom, but in a garage—sparked by catching a five-pound largemouth bass with his father and bringing it to a local taxidermist. Fascinated by the craft and met with little guidance, Dale taught himself through correspondence courses, industry publications, and hands-on experimentation. By 14, he had already started his own taxidermy business and began exploring tanning techniques.

Driven to learn more, Dale moved his family from New York to Colorado in 1977 to work at Jonas Bros. of Denver—then the heart of the taxidermy industry, encompassing supply, sculpting, tanning, and furs. There, he refined his sculpting skills, worked extensively with exotic skins, and gained firsthand experience with the harsh chemicals common to tanning at the time.

When those chemicals began affecting his health, Dale didn’t walk away—he innovated. Determined to make tanning safer without sacrificing results, he began developing improved formulations that would later shape the industry. Encouraged by Joe Kish, publisher of Taxidermy Review, Dale entered a national sculpting competition and won first place with an open-mouth deer.

That same problem-solving mindset led to products like TC-9 Cream, Liqua-Tan, and ultimately Advanced Tanning Solutions. Today, Dale’s legacy lives on through safer processes, better products, and a commitment to helping others master the craft.

Dale led without performance or pretense. He answered late-night emails from first-time tanners, took calls from seasoned professionals, and shared insights no manual could offer. His gift wasn’t just chemistry—it was translation, breaking down complex variables like water, climate, timing, and technique into something anyone could understand.

After leaving Jonas Bros. due to a developing allergy to tanned skins, Dale continued working behind the scenes. In the early 1980s, he collaborated with Rocky Losasso of Rockmont Industries, repairing legacy forms and creating new molds for Jonas Supply. During this time, he also worked with master sculptor Denny Behn to develop the Signature Series of game heads—still in production today and featured on the cover of Taxidermy Review in 1981.

That same empirical mindset—test, refine, repeat—shaped his tanning formulations and the knowledge he freely shared. In 2017, Dale Knobloch was inducted into the Taxidermy Hall of Fame, honoring a career defined not by recognition, but by impact.

Kim and Gary, now the co-owners of Advanced Tanning Solutions, were shaped by that ethos. Kim grew up in Dale’s orbit—he was a father figure, a teacher, and a constant. Gary entered the family through love, but Dale drew him into the craft. Together, they carry the legacy forward—not as copyists, but as stewards. They took a garage-sized operation and built it into a full-scale facility, never forgetting that every product, every call, every tutorial was part of something deeper: the continuation of Dale’s values.

Dale Knobloch passed the way he lived—working with his hands, solving for others, quietly improving what others left untouched. He restored a historic home nail by nail, sculpted bronze and form with anatomical reverence, and raised a family as vast and vibrant as his vision. His legacy is not a brand. It’s a lineage of generosity, patience, precision, and pride. The kind of legacy that doesn't ask to be remembered—because it never really leaves.

Reflections on Dale from Industry Leaders

"Dale Knobloch and I came up in the art/craft/business of taxidermy about the same time, the 60s and 70s.  I was an early follower of Dale through Joe Kish’s Taxidermy Review magazine, and the Jonas Studio and Supply company. Our first person-to-person meeting I remember was at one of the early NTA conventions in Denver, CO.  I do not recall the year, but in the conversations we had, which were often in a group of aspiring taxidermists, most questions were directed at and answered by Dale. He was without question one of the earliest leaders in advancing and updating old taxidermy practices of the 40s, 50s and 60s into the renaissance years of taxidermy in the 70s and beyond. He was one of the first to sculpture detailed highly accurate anatomical forms in the Jonas Signature Series. He also introduced one of the early tanning creams and many other tanning chemicals for taxidermy purposes. Dale's ideas, techniques, and products had a big influence on my success and that of many others in the taxidermy industry. He was one of the pioneers that helped advance the superb quality of taxidermy of this 21st century.” 

Larry Blomquist, Professional Taxidermist and Publisher Breakthrough Magazine

“Dale, The Man, The Myth, The Legend.  Dale is a reservoir of knowledge and is honorable.  His warmth, wisdom, skill and willingness to share that knowledge, drew me to him in the 1970’s.  He was very thorough with everything he did.  From being a father, taxidermist, sculptor, chemist, husband, builder, antiquer, dog trainer, to a person who is a leader in his field.  He has created many innovations in the taxidermy industry – always striving for better results.

When Dale moved to Maine, I was beyond excited to have such a gifted and talented artist living close by.  We spent many hours analyzing the world of taxidermy in detail.  He would come to my shop and by the end of the day, one of my sculptures would be dismantled and rebuilt.  It is a privilege and honor to call Dale Knobloch my friend.”

Forest Hart, Founder of Hart Forms, and World Renowned Sculptor

"When you think of the pioneers of the taxidermy industry, Dale has to be one of the people that come to mind. His work and his products with the new line and old line is an absolute staple in today’s industry and they are some of the best products money can buy. We have been carrying his products for years and years and that will continue forever.  Can you imagine how many thousands and thousands of capes have been tanned with his tanning agents?" 

Joe Coombs, 
Joe Coombs Classics,
Taxidermy Supply Warehouse

“I enrolled in the Northwestern School of Taxidermy Correspondence course when I was 14.

I met Dale in Denver at the Taxidermy Review competition in the early 1980’s.  When some were reluctant to share their “trade secrets”, Dale was always open.  One particular time, he helped me with designing rug shells – I was halfway there, he made a diagram, “a tune up” – do this and that – we have rug shells that we still sell today.

Dale was  a big help to me in setting up our business in Canada giving us the opportunity to distribute his chemical line , which we still do to this day working with Kim at Advanced Tanning Solutions."

Peter Knapton, Taxidermist and owner of Knapton Studios, Dunchurch, ON Canada