THO Game Calls Forums

The Art of Handcrafting Custom Game Calls => Handcrafting Traditional Reelfoot Duck Calls => Topic started by: LagrueCustomCalls on November 18, 2017, 06:49:30 PM

Title: First Reelfoot Call
Post by: LagrueCustomCalls on November 18, 2017, 06:49:30 PM
Built my first (and not last!) Reelfoot Metal Reed call today. With a lot of help from Benny, Ryan Roosa and some of the tutorials on this forum, I was able to build a very nice call.

This one runs very nicely. I ran my first metal reed back in the late 90's at Reelfoot. I was hooked. Made friends with a few of the makers that I met at the show each year and learned as much as I could about the construction of the calls and how to run them.

Much of my process looks like the process detailed in Benny's great tutorial. I used a Dremel to hand cut the tone channel on this call as I still need to make a good jig to hold my router. Reed is hand cut stainless. I don't figure on making enough calls yet to warrant a proper punch tool. I guess the rest of my process came from my years of making Arkansas style calls.

As for dimensions, the bore of this call is 11/16" which is the bore of an Arkansas style call I make so I can use the same custom mandrel. I think it also makes for a metal reed that blows somewhat in between an Arkansas style call and a 3/4" bore Reelfoot call. Some of my exhaust design is actually straight from my regular 5/8" bore Arkansas style call. Gambled that it would work and I nailed it.

My reamer is a chair style reamer that I made from persimmon (thanks Benny). I tested a few different grinds on the blade before I got that right.

Curly maple and African Blackwood. I'm really happy with it!

(https://preview.ibb.co/g9D0V6/20171118_170152.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mvidHm)

(https://preview.ibb.co/jTuJHm/20171118_170127.jpg) (https://ibb.co/c0NSA6)

(https://preview.ibb.co/cqj2cm/20171118_165845.jpg) (https://ibb.co/m5HNcm)

(https://preview.ibb.co/gQam3R/20171118_165806.jpg) (https://ibb.co/b0VKOR)
Title: Re: First Reelfoot Call
Post by: FDR on November 19, 2017, 08:08:26 AM
That is sure a lot nicer than my first call. Maple is one of my favorite woods. Like that you also included the jig and reamer.

Fred
Title: Re: First Reelfoot Call
Post by: ben on November 19, 2017, 11:13:13 AM
Absolutely great. I am glad that you have made one and after you make that first one you will keep making them.

A fine looking first call and I am glad that I may have had some influence on you getting started.

Always look forward to talking to you and your posts.

Happy hunting

ben
Title: Re: First Reelfoot Call
Post by: B Hoover on November 25, 2017, 09:41:14 AM
Beautiful work all the way around!
Title: Re: First Reelfoot Call
Post by: Al_at_THO Game Calls on November 26, 2017, 05:36:29 PM
Love it!  Great photography too.

AL @ THO
Title: Re: First Reelfoot Call
Post by: James Strickland on November 27, 2017, 09:58:07 AM
Very nice call!  And I really like the handmade jig and reamer.