A little coco

[Ken Hill]

Latest Distress call, Cocobolo and Maple Burl

http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Calls/DSC4540/848394792_K8pW5-L.jpg

Crow call, Maple Burl and Osage

http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Calls/DSC4538/848394980_ci3nx-L.jpg

Thats a big piece of Burl the calls are sitting on, hope to dive into it this week

[John Keeton]

Another beauty, Ken. It appears the endgrain of the Cocobolo is glued to the burl on more of a long grain. Does this ever present a problem for you, and what glue do you use?

[Ken Hill]

I cant break it off there haha!

Titebond 2 is what im using. Whatever scraps are around get utilized.

[John Keeton]

I think the Titebond II has enough creep to make a good bond - probably as good as you could get in that situation. But, it ain't like you are using it as a hammer!!:D Unless, of course, the hunt doesn't go as planned.;)

[Ken Hill]

Amen on that:D

The calls can get beat on, sat on,stepped on dropped etc so they need to be as durable as possible but there has to be a practical limit. Ive tried breaking the bond and cant so I am pretty satisfied with it. I think the biggest issue would be the wood changing with the conditions. Even concrete comes apart LOL!

[David E Keller]

Two more nice calls and nice photos

[Allen Neighbors]

Beeeooootifull work! Love the finishes, too!! You have an eye for the photos, also. Good stuff!

[John Hart]

Very nice work!! Love your composition in the pictures too.

[John Keeton]

Ken, in an earlier thread, you commented "Most of the natural wood gets a BLO soak, then dewaxed shellac then a Spar dip (60/40)" Can you be more specific on brand of Spar dip, and is the 60/40 varnish/ms?

[Ken Hill]

Helsman Spar and yes, 60/40 with MS

The Coco got teak oil sanded in to warm the color, then a wash of MS, then dewaxed shellac , then dipped twice.

[Brian Effinger]

That coco & maple call is beautiful. Really nice combination of woods, the quality of the work is outstanding.

[Ken Hill]

Just finished this one today

http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Calls/DSC4583/848783339_gTtbQ-L.jpg

[John Keeton]

Thanks, Ken, for the clarification on the dip. That last call is a beauty, too - did you do the acrylic and the guts on that one?

[Ken Hill]

No, thats a commercial insert. I got sick a few years back and my fine dextarity is pretty bad so I dont trust myself working with the saw needed to cut the toneboard out so im regulated to using my favorites, Echo.

[Ken Hill]

One more....the rest are drying haha!

http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Calls/DSC4613/848881986_8237V-L.jpg

[John Keeton]

Sweet! I just love the look of that deep finish on them - really brings out the wood color. And, as always, great photo setup.

[Aaron Wingert]

Ken you do get a really nice finish on your calls. Nothing wrong with the Echo inserts. They're really the standard against which a lot of people judge their homemade inserts' sound.

[Ken Hill]

Oh I wish I could make my own, but I kind of like the 10 fingers God gave me LOL!

[Ken Hill]

Aaron, took the plung today. This is the second one, first one is the same except I didnt make any mustakes on this one haha! (well none that I cant live with!)

http://kenhill.smugmug.com/Other/Calls/DSC4620/848969637_D6DFW-L.jpg

[Bernie Weishapl]

Really beautiful pieces Ken. Really like the coco.

[Baxter Smith]

Beautiful wood on all and the finish brings it out!

[Toney Robertson]

Well done Ken.

The calls are beautiful and the pictures are great.

Toney