Chalk won’t stick to paddle

[Beards and Hooks]

Chalk seems to stick better. Were still just a couple burnish spots that I brushed again with a bit of Scotch Brite and re-chalked. Probably won't risk targeting a small area like that again.

One thing I noticed—and it might be from all the chalk that's gone through it at this point—is it no longer sings from high on the rail, when I hold the paddle really wide. I don't call that way, anyhow, since you lose so much volume and it's not how they're made to run. But I wonder if I should ever try to clean that section of rails from all the accumulation. Won't until I hear back.

Mr. Mabry's shop is quite something. I felt bad trying out a bunch of calls because it distracted me from speaking with him and hearing all his stories! Definitely the place you want to set aside a few hours to soak in when going to buy a call.


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LOL Or several hours I been three times and haven't spent less than 6 hours at Lonnies shop. He is so much fun to talk to and his stories  are great. I videoed him playing his calls and giving me tips last time, something I will Lord willing cherish and refer back to the next 30 years.

[paboxcall]

I've switched to almost exclusively using rain chalk on my wood Friction calls, I got it for scratch boxes but use on many of my box calls. I don't get build up, it seems to last longer and handle moisture better.

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[outdoors]

I've switched to almost exclusively using rain chalk on my wood Friction calls, I got it for scratch boxes but use on many of my box calls. I don't get build up, it seems to last longer and handle moisture better.

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x 3

[AppalachianHollers]

Any specific brand of rain chalk you prefer over railroad chalk?


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[packmule]

http://www.rainchalk.com/products.html

[HFultzjr]

I've switched to almost exclusively using rain chalk on my wood Friction calls, I got it for scratch boxes but use on many of my box calls. I don't get build up, it seems to last longer and handle moisture better.

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As mentioned above Rain Chalk.
I have used it on a few troublesome calls and now use all the time.

[AppalachianHollers]

Had a gobbler respond to a yelp sequence this morning from 300+ yards. Good high pitch with rasp on the right-hand side yielded it at about about 8:45-9:00.

Then like an idiot I didn't respond to take his temperature/extend an invitation.
Was on a NF road when he responded, and being worried about the long sight distance, I tried to cut the distance a bit and get onto a slight rise above the road, but it was way too thick for a good approach or shot on top. Kept moving forward on that "ridgelet" waiting for the cover to open up just a little, and that didn't really happen for 100 yards. Once I finally called again after setting up got no response.
He might have cut the distance and spooked while my repositioning took longer than expected. Or he maybe was just courtesy gobbling and never would have come in even if I yelped back in the first place. Or maybe he hadn't committed, but would have.
Should have gotten back on the road as soon as it was clear setting up wasn't working out, and set up within 30 yards inside the woods.

Anyway, goes to show dancing is a conversation, and you've got to let your partner dictate the dance as well instead of hunting an imaginary bird from a forum. Won't know how the Tom would have shaped it, but it's nonetheless encouraging to know he thought the Mabry Purpleheart over Cedar was straight turkey.


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[milertyme03]

Certain types of wood do not hold chalk as well as others.  I think the harder the wood the less it sticks.  Try running chalk at an angle instead of up and down.

[TX_Gobbler]

Chalk seems to stick better. Were still just a couple burnish spots that I brushed again with a bit of Scotch Brite and re-chalked. Probably won't risk targeting a small area like that again.

One thing I noticed—and it might be from all the chalk that's gone through it at this point—is it no longer sings from high on the rail, when I hold the paddle really wide. I don't call that way, anyhow, since you lose so much volume and it's not how they're made to run. But I wonder if I should ever try to clean that section of rails from all the accumulation. Won't until I hear back.

Mr. Mabry's shop is quite something. I felt bad trying out a bunch of calls because it distracted me from speaking with him and hearing all his stories! Definitely the place you want to set aside a few hours to soak in when going to buy a call.


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This is from you using a Green Scotchbrite pad?  Want to buy the right one and see Green, Silver, and Burgandy colored ones at my local woodworking shop. 

I have two box calls that look like your first picture where chalk won't stick anymore in certain places.  Was afraid to do anything to them as they both have a lot of sentimental value.  Thank you!

[AppalachianHollers]

This is from you using a Green Scotchbrite pad? 

I have two box calls that look like your first picture where chalk won't stick anymore in certain places.  Was afraid to do anything to them as they both have a lot of sentimental value.  Thank you!

Yep! Don't press hard. But give it several passes. I also took the advice given above to apply chalk across/perpendicular to the paddle rather than lengthwise. Seems to smear on better that way for some reason.
Call sounds good, so I know it worked for me.


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[Sir-diealot]

This is from you using a Green Scotchbrite pad? 

I have two box calls that look like your first picture where chalk won't stick anymore in certain places.  Was afraid to do anything to them as they both have a lot of sentimental value.  Thank you!

Yep! Don't press hard. But give it several passes. I also took the advice given above to apply chalk across/perpendicular to the paddle rather than lengthwise. Seems to smear on better that way for some reason.
Call sounds good, so I know it worked for me.


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I do this with my scratch boxes as well. Well I go length first then sideways with both, seems to sound better to me when I do it like that.

[TX_Gobbler]

Thank you both!  I'll give it a shot and will be very careful to not press too hard!