Sorry, Marine, that no one has answered you yet, but there are too many essential tools to list. Scalpel, needles, stout ruffer, modeling tools, screwdrivers, staple guns, etc. But the one tool that will get you farther, get you more work, more money, etc is KNOWLEDGE. Not trying to be smart, but seriously, that is the one tool that you need. I can throw away all my other tools and make due with the basics, but only because I have the knowledge to do so. It's kinda like me asking you what is the essential tools to being a Marine, gun, boots, etc but the one thing that makes a Marine, a Marine, is the knowledge that goes with being a Marine. I can go out and buy all the tools that you say are essential to being a Marine, but it'll never make me a Marine. Again, I'm not trying to be a d--k, cause I know that it probably reads that way. But here's my suggestions, order books and videos, and see if this is really what you want to do. If it is, then join your state taxidermy association, they are in every state and province, they can help you get together with a taxidermist that will be willing to helpyou learn. The state asssociations put on shows every year with seminars to help "us" gain some knowledge about new product, techniques, etc. Hope it helps. Pm me if I can do anything for you and check out
www.taxidermy.net
essential tools
