conditioning Pot calls

[bow4elk]

A few yrs ago, I took 2 newbies with me, and I gacve them each a pot & peg call plus showed them how to use them.  We went to an area I knew held a large amount of turks ... I laid out the best turkey music with a slate with wood striker, but no response.  One newbie started making "chalk board & fingernail screeches" on a double glass with carbide striker and "gobble, obble, obble, obble" ...  away goes the slate/wood striker and outcomes a titanium pot with carbide striker ... started playing towards the outside to get that same screech ... gobble, obble, obble, obble ... the birds were eating it up.   

I always carry 4 varied strikers along with 2 or 3 varied pots, at least 6 - 8 different mouth diaphragms, 2 different boxes, a tube call, and 2 push-pulls. If one isn't working, I'll try "fishing" with a different lure until I find out what is going to get a bite ... usually one will strike a cord and get the fired up responses I want.   

100% agree.  My vest looks like the bargain cave at Cabela's - full of options, and I make my own diaphragms as well so I can sound different than any commerical reed.  What works one day may not the next.  Everyday is like bass fishing and trying to figure out what will resonate with an old jellyhead gobbler.  All this coming from a guy who's called in a mess of birds and NEVER tagged one...yet 

[Jekemi]

bow4elk: I'd like to learn more about how you make your own mouth calls. Do you have a pamphlet, such as "Diaphram calls for Dumies?" I'd like to get a few tips from you.

newcordia@comcast.net

[teal101]

I found the primos call conditioner has a pretty useful conditioning stone on it, well worth the $7.  I use that and finish with some 60 grit paper.  I use a scotch brite pad to rough up my strikers.  Works real well on my slate class.