Hey Callmakers - Part II

[gator]

dude, this ain't no chit..................if that's entry level work, i'm flugged

here's one of mine.....kinda "stelz" inspired w/ the elk antler band, bloowood barrel and ebony cert:



here's one of my first to make, mesquite w/ a bois d'arc band....really got lucky w/ this one and it's on my m lanyard.



not sure who woulda handed you your head.............hell, i'm still flaming my booty from a week or so ago

anyhow, like i was saying, if i don't get this damned CA finish over and done with, i'm putting the call in the garbage. i suppose, considering what i'm using, i'm just lucky to still have my eyebrows --- in the correct spot.

coco is some BAD stuff. i turned it and hacked for a week after words, and itched like hades. purdy as hell, but dangerous......i keep a well supplied stock of TB masks to turn............don't help w/ the CA fumes though.

and, like i said, if that's entry, i'm fat rucked.....good lucking stuff.

gator

[gator]

oh yeah................SHOW US A DAMNED BOW ALREADY!!!!

gator

[Roach]

Gator,
How easy was it to turn the antler?

[duckter]

You're right - Cocobolo is a toxic wood. I had a rash on my wrist and stomach for 2-3 weeks. Kind of like poison ivy, but won't go away. Have been told, some are allergic and some aren't. Rashes can develop from within from just breathing the stuff. Covering-up pretty good from now on.

Yes, my calls are my first attempt. As I have told many of my friends, it's not the "art" that concerns me, it is more the science (acoustics, etc.) that may pose a challenge. I've got the art background and the warped mind to support the cause. You know, turning a call is essentially taking away all of the wood that doesn't look like a duck call. It's called working in negative space (see afforementioned warped mind above). I guess some have it - some don't and I know many of folks that don't.

Anyway, keep at it.

[cootkiller]

Cootkiller - that won't get you a free call - but I appreciate your input!

Wouldnt dream of a free one. Maybe you could put me on your field staff though so I can tell how good they are. Ha. No really there is alot of talent in the calls you guys are making. I just dont have the patience to do it. Made a few turkey calls from cedar and some strikers, but never a duck call.

All of them look great though you fellas have alot more patience than I do. Gator the one with the antler is very cool.

[swamprooter]

Gator..it was wade carpenter.....he just didn't like a southern sense of humor. heres one of my homemade bows and a Rio and some of my homemade calls....Logo in the bow..is my Swamprooter logo....great looking calls you got there.. definitely stand out.....I have got to get a better lathe. i have almost settled on my 'jig" design to get made..i just can't leave it alone though..you probably know that deal.

[Double R 2]

True pieces of working art, each and every one pictured. Wow!

[gator]

Gator..it was wade carpenter.....he just didn't like a southern sense of humor. heres one of my homemade bows and a Rio and some of my homemade calls....Logo in the bow..is my Swamprooter logo....great looking calls you got there.. definitely stand out.....I have got to get a better lathe. i have almost settled on my 'jig" design to get made..i just can't leave it alone though..you probably know that deal.

man, that stuff is KILLER.

holy crap!!!!

i preciate ya postin that stuff, and can only imagine the sense of pride and accomplishment that comes from what you're doing.

good stuff man, real REAL good.......gator

[GordonGekko]

man those bows are sharp.....love the checkering on the grip.... you still making bows...I've been threatening to buy another recurve and you may have just tipped me over the edge....

[swamprooter]

Thanks guys for the kind words. I didn't get married till i was 38 so i had a lot of time on my hands too learn things so I believe anyone with time can do it if i could. I also have had some great friends to help me too. But at 46 with a 2 and 5 year old boys, my hobbies have changed a bit. I am trying desperately now to teach my 5 year old how to catch a baseball! Bowbuilding ,call making have been put on the shelf....maybe I'm doing this wrong.....i should be teaching him how to tune a Long Box or single reed!

[duckter]

Yeah, my son is 12 and he is eager to get in and get dirty on the lathe. For now, he is learning the fine art of finishing the calls. He's my sandman. He starts with 60 grit, then moves on to 120, 150, 180, 250, 400 and 600. Then tops it off with some denim.

[rjohnson]

Beautiful bow!!! Very very nice craftsmanship!

Gator when is the checkered pattern coming on a call???

[ntzhunter]

This is probably the best thread Ive seen on here in awhile! Thanks for sharing all the pics and info!

[gator]

Beautiful bow!!! Very very nice craftsmanship!

Gator when is the checkered pattern coming on a call???

this summer, i hope.

it takes some equipment and the understanding you're gonna make some firewood.................but, it's something i REALLY want to learn how to do.

gator

[gator]

Gator,
How easy was it to turn the antler?

roach, just saw this.....sorry.

honestly, it's hard...................and, not too hard all at once, if that makes sense.

you have to have a system and patience to take it very VERY slowly. i've had more antler fly off the lathe than i care to remember........and, it's can have "spots" in it that will flat out shatter a call if it "grabs".

i love turning it when it comes out..................i HATE THE CRAP when it doesn't.

gator