Saturday's toils

[Tjones]

Here is three calls from Saturday.

First is a cocobolo cow elk call



Next was a piece I did not know what it was. This was one I rescued from the custom bow makers burn box, I went there today and he told me it was Chi-Chen, the spelling might not be correct, but here it is, it has a cow elk bite reed in it



Last up was a small piece of bocote with a Reese distress toneboard






I tried a different finish this time, not quite so shiney, but more user friendly!

[FinsnFur]

Nice, I especially like those clear tone boards.

[frshwtr]

like i said keep an eye on the burn barrel at the bow shop, the call looks sharp( well they all do but i like that one best). question though, the bite type read; could you tweak that to sound like a johnny stewart pc-3, its a predator call that does barks and yips plus some distress sounds?

[Bills Custom Calls]

Nice job on all of them 

I really think you should have them posted in the hand call store though

[HaMeR]

I agree. Those look good.

[bootmud]

I think I like em all equally.  Excellant bunch of calls for sure.

bootmud

[alscalls]

Nice!

[THO Game Calls]

Here is some info from one of my favorite tree sites on Che Chen  - or as it is more comonly known


POISON WOOD

Che Chen is one of the  most common trees found up and down the Costa Maya in undeveloped lots (Chechem in Mayan).

A member of the Anacardiaceae family of plants that include poison ivy, sumac, mangoes and cashews. This family of plants may be one of the most common causes of contact dermatitis in man. If you are sensitive to Mangos, it may be an indication that you are VERY sensitive to Che Chen

Since 50% of the US population is highly sensitive to this family of trees, it is not a good idea to touch the leaves or the sap of the tree.

Beautiful hardwood, also known as Caribbean Rosewood comes from Che Chen

Its lumber name is Poison Wood or Che Chen and is 180% as hard as red oak.

Once it is dried out it is far less dangerous, except the sawdust may cause irritation to some sensitive individuals. When finished it is often some of the most beautiful wood and you will see it made into furniture and jewelry.





Al

[Tjones]

yikes :shck:


frshwtr ,, Its will work as a predator voice,,, and its very easy to get  distress  sounds out of, I changed the mylar though which IMO made it more of an elk call

[frshwtr]

thanx for the info. i'll go aong with the others that it is time to start putting some of these calls up for sale. oh yeah as much as i would like to see more of the chen chen please be carseful and keep in mind there are other woods that look good but can caouse problems for the worker.

[Tjones]

thanks guys ,,,I just don't feel i am ready to sell any calls yet,,,If i am going to take someones hard earned money for something I have made then I want is as close to perfect as I am capable of getting it. There is so much to learn everytime I build one I can see things I would do different next time. While I know I won't ever get a call perfect, I think I can do better. I hope that all makes sense


Ohhh and I am thinking a good respirator is up next on my shopping list

[THO Game Calls]

When you stand in front of your lathe, and know that you have done the best you are capable of at that given moment, then you should have no problem offering your calls for sale with a clear conscience.  You may not get in dollars what some of the long time call makers get for their calls, but you will get every bit as much satisfaction.

On the other hand, if you spend your days trying to make the "perfect" call, you will just spend a lot of time and money chasing a dream.  A good part of call making is the journey, the learning, and the growth that comes from turning and tuning calls.  With that in mind, work for progress, not perfection.   Compete with yourself and not others.   Your calls have a nice design to them, look well finished, and most of all, it sounds like you take a great amount of pride and accomplsihment in your work.  That is the key I think.  You know that you offered the best you were capable of making at that moment.  They may never be "perfect" in your mind, but if they are the very best you are capable of, people will appreciate that.  We all learn every day.   If a day goes by that we didn't learn anything, tomorrow will probably suck because we will most likely be dead.

Al

[Tjones]

Thanks for the words of wisdom Al. It always amazes me how freely the long time call makers hand out advice. The help I have received is priceless, and sure has cut down trial and error, yet a big part of my satisfaction has came from figuring things out myself, if that at all makes sense.

The first time ya duck a blank that flies out of a set of jaws, you will remember to tighten things up :roflmao:

I am not at all worried matching dollars for calls that vetern calllers have made, they earn every dollar they make, and at some point where just starting out also. If I can enjoy making them, while covering some material costs in the future, and turning out a call that will make some hunter happy, then I  will consider it a success.

I know I can do better, and I see it in each call, and but I am still waiting for as Al put it "best you were capable of making at that moment"

Thanks again Al for the guidence in your post, I will take it to heart.

[frshwtr]

i know i'm not a call maker but there are things i have made (for gifts, for sale and just to make them) and each time i made one it got better than the first one. i also learned steps that helped. i guess what i'm trying to say is makeing anything is a challenge and thats the reason we do it; at present it seems there are others who would like to have some of your art (it is a art you know) so dont be greedy share, hey ten years from now your style might have turned and someone haveing one of your calls can compare, also first call can be come collectors. hey sorry to drag this out; glad to hear your looking at some protection. once upon a time i read a list of woods and the problems they could cause (not every person has the same reactions) mayb one of the more experienced call makers could lead you to a site like that if you asked. keep up the good work and be assured i'm one of those that would like one of your first call, especially that bite call.

[Tjones]

Frshwtr,,,thanks for the comments,,,I will build some bite reeds next and if they turn out one will be yours