I'm new to slate calls and I've been trying to decide what slate call to get for my first one. Seems like there's so many choices and different answers. Is there a classic store bought slate call that's been around for a longtime ? Like the reputation the lynch box call has a decent store bought call that's been around forever?
There are plenty of decent store-bought slates by folks like Primos or Knight and Hale. However, for the same money you could get a stellar slate from a maker like Nathan Taylor, Mark Cornelius or Dustin Jones with soundfiles to pick from on their facebook pages that will knock any commercial slate out of the park. Only real fly in that ointment is in the waiting time, but prompt ordering will put you in good shape for spring. I just went through the same dilemma myself this past fall/winter. If you really do like the idea of a classic commercial option, something by MAC Calls or Quaker Boy would probably fit the bill and resulted in a lot of turkey meals for my family in the last 20 years.
My suggestion is look at these custom builders and in not particular order: Mark Cornelius, Buster " Larry Halford, Nathan Taylor, Dustin Jones, John Sinclair, Val Espinoza, Clay Townsend, Chad Remenaric, Kenneth Mullins, Lon Trice, Anthony Fleenor, Chris Brumfiel, Lonnie Sneed most all of these builders are on Facebook..I'm sure people will add to the list
Paul Durham.
Quote from: Greg Massey on March 03, 2020, 01:21:59 PM
My suggestion is look at these custom builders and in not particular order: Mark Cornelius, Buster " Larry Halford, Nathan Taylor, Dustin Jones, John Sinclair, Val Espinoza, Clay Townsend, Chad Remenaric, Kenneth Mullins, Lon Trice, Anthony Fleenor, Chris Brumfiel, Lonnie Sneed most all of these builders are on Facebook..I'm sure people will add to the list
X 2
Some good choice right here :icon_thumright:
David Halloran
Hard to beat a Dawkins in a plastic pot
A slate that seems to be forgotten is a lon trice 'lonzo' birdseye maple slate
This is a former DD Adams winner and it sounds great,,very affordable I'm betting if you got hold of him he would have some. Makes all the sounds a slate call is known for.
Quote from: Greg Massey on March 03, 2020, 01:21:59 PM
My suggestion is look at these custom builders and in not particular order: Mark Cornelius, Buster " Larry Halford, Nathan Taylor, Dustin Jones, John Sinclair, Val Espinoza, Clay Townsend, Chad Remenaric, Kenneth Mullins, Lon Trice, Anthony Fleenor, Chris Brumfiel, Lonnie Sneed most all of these builders are on Facebook..I'm sure people will add to the list
Great list there I would add Paul Durham and Darrin Dawkins they make great slate calls!
Also have to add Paul Platz and Clint Corder but there next to impossible to get two of my absolute favorite slates are from them.
A lot of great suggestions here but your not gonna find any of them at a store,(other than Macks PW) and I wouldn't classify any of them as classics other than Sneed and Mabry. Id have to recommend a Cody 2 slate. Definitely a "classic"! You're gonna be hard pressed to find a better sounding slate for $40. Cody also makes the Envy slate and woodsman slate in same price range.Other than those, Woodhaven Legend slate is a great sounding call also.
Look at midwest turkey calls.
The new owners seem to be great people and easy to deal with.
If we are staying true to the topic, I would dare say the Primos Ol Betsy is one of the most popular slate calls of all time. Obviously there are much better custom calls out there, but I would imagine that most turkey hunters at one point or another had this slate call in his/her vest.
Quote from: RND1983 on March 03, 2020, 05:16:31 PM
If we are staying true to the topic, I would dare say the Primos Ol Betsy is one of the most popular slate calls of all time. Obviously there are much better custom calls out there, but I would imagine that most turkey hunters at one point or another had this slate call in his/her vest.
Believe it or not, this is my GO TO call! It has been the demise of many birds for me and has a Grand Slam to it's credit. And while we are staying true to the topic, a $15 call IMO is as Good as any $200 call. It's about what you get responses to and have CONFIDENCE in.
I have an original Cody Spec 1 from 1994. Number 168. I believe this could be one of the best slates of all time. All turkey, soft, loud, tree Yelp, cackle. I love it, would not part with it. Be safe, be well.
Another option would be to buy a Lights Out Call by Wendell Rye. You can buy them on eBay and he makes a good call. Definitely would have it before the start of the season. Good luck with your search.
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H.S.Strut Lil Deuce 2....
Quote from: 1iagobblergetter on March 03, 2020, 08:06:48 PM
H.S.Strut Lil Deuce 2....
This ^^^ killed quite a few birds with one before venturing into custom calls.
My first Slate was a Primos, think it was called the Battey Slate, this now is Old Betsy and is still one of the best selling calls (price point) and it's a good sounding call. A few years later bought my CODY World Class Slate and I have never changed off that call, sure I have bought a call here and there and a different surface/pot but that CODY is my "killer" call.
MK M GOBL
Hooks makes a slate in a plastic pot for less than $30 shipped and it is a good one, but if were going to only buy one production slate, it would be a Cody.
If we are talking about a straight brick and mortar store my suggestions would be a Woodhaven (but you could get a custom call on here in the classifieds for the same price also), Primos Power Crustal or a Zinks. I was just thinking of what I saw at Academy Sports today. But im today's world a lot of shopping is done on the internet so you could go with Halloran, Hanks or a Hooks are all great calls. Or has mentioned before Midwest Turkey Call Supply and you could have your choice of all the above. Best of luck.
Man I really like my Kaiser kalls green slate.
Quote from: captpete on March 04, 2020, 06:35:56 AM
Quote from: 1iagobblergetter on March 03, 2020, 08:06:48 PM
H.S.Strut Lil Deuce 2....
This ^^^ killed quite a few birds with one before venturing into custom calls.
I've got one of them too. Had it a long time. It's one of those easy carrying calls you forget is in your vest at times. I use to hang it around my neck.
Quote from: jordanz7935 on March 03, 2020, 05:03:41 PM
A lot of great suggestions here but your not gonna find any of them at a store,(other than Macks PW) and I wouldn't classify any of them as classics other than Sneed and Mabry. Id have to recommend a Cody 2 slate. Definitely a "classic"! You're gonna be hard pressed to find a better sounding slate for $40. Cody also makes the Envy slate and woodsman slate in same price range.Other than those, Woodhaven Legend slate is a great sounding call also.
Got to agree. Cody slates have to be some of the most popular ever with a great reputation and you can buy them in stores.
Of course the custom recommendations are all steller.
Hanks green slate..
Cane Creek Pro Custom Mahogany pot. Lot of dead birds and hunts with this call. Have one in the poplar pot to. Also the old 3 1/2" HS Strut slate in the green pot with the green plastic striker. Wish I never gave it away.
Quote from: bbcoach on March 03, 2020, 06:27:07 PM
Quote from: RND1983 on March 03, 2020, 05:16:31 PM
If we are staying true to the topic, I would dare say the Primos Ol Betsy is one of the most popular slate calls of all time. Obviously there are much better custom calls out there, but I would imagine that most turkey hunters at one point or another had this slate call in his/her vest.
Believe it or not, this is my GO TO call! It has been the demise of many birds for me and has a Grand Slam to it's credit. And while we are staying true to the topic, a $15 call IMO is as Good as any $200 call. It's about what you get responses to and have CONFIDENCE in.
I have a older primos jackpot that I bought around 6-10 years ago. I recently bought a custom slate that has won multiple awards and I could not tell much of an difference is sound. I was expecting more. The guys seems like a nice guy and it probably means more to him to sell a call than the big companies but I was wanting more.
Picked up a Halloran green slate in Zebrawood and a Gooserbat select series red slate also that both sound awesome.
Cody world class.