For turkey hunters who enjoy making their own custom calls, finding high-quality slate to use as the call’s sounding board is an essential first step. Slate produces a realistic, raspy sound that’s perfect for imitating a hen turkey. But not all slate is created equal. The characteristics and source of the slate impact the tone and durability of your finished call. Here’s a look at the top suppliers for purchasing high-grade slate for crafting top-notch turkey calls.
What Type of Slate Works Best?
Slate is a fine-grained metamorphic rock that splits into thin sheets. For turkey calls, the optimal slate has these attributes:
- Fine, smooth grain without pits or grooves
- Thickness between .060″ to .120″
- Density provides crisp sound
- Consistent depth for even resonance
- Absorbs sufficient chalk or carbon for call surface
Slate mined in the northeastern United States, especially Pennsylvania and Vermont, offers superior quality and performance for turkey call making
Key Slate Suppliers for Turkey Call Makers
Several reputable suppliers provide slate purpose-cut for crafting turkey calls. They offer a range of thicknesses, sizes, and slate types to suit every calling need. Here are some top sources to buy slate for your next custom turkey call project:
Brookside Game Calls
Brookside is a leading supplier of premium slate from Pennsylvania and Vermont mines. They stock various sizes like 3.5″, 4″ squares, and rectangular strips. Thicknesses range from .090″ to .120″. Options include:
- Pennsylvania black slate
- Vermont green, purple, and red slate
- Printed slate with camo and flag patterns
- Ceramic and crystal calling surfaces
They also sell striker rods, chalk, adhesives, and other call making supplies.
Grassy Creek Calls
Grassy Creek provides excellent quality slate cut specifically for turkey friction calls. They carry both Pennsylvania black slate and vibrant Vermont slate in green, red, and purple. Available dimensions are 3″ or 3.5″ squares cut .080″ thick.
Their slate is uniform in thickness smooth and free of pits or cracks. Prices are also very reasonable making this a great slate source for call makers.
Penn Valley Game Calls
Penn Valley offers Pennsylvania slate cut precisely for turkey call building. Their 3.5″ squares come in .090″ and .125″ thickness options. According to customers, their slate sounds sweet with no tweaking required.
They also sell striker blocks, nuts, and rods plus chalk, adhesives, and accessories for assembling custom turkey calls.
Best Calls
This Pennsylvania company provides a wide selection of quality slate for call makers. Dimensions range from 1.5″ to 4″ squares, rectangles, circles, and striker blocks. Thicknesses vary from .062 to .125″.
Their dense, fine-grained slate is cleanly cut and precisely pierced for peg installation. Custom engraving is also available. Kits with pre-cut slate and components simplify beginner call building.
Preston’s Calls
Based in Tennessee, Preston’s sells top grade Pennsylvania slate, precision cut for handcrafting turkey calls. Size options include 1.75″, 2″, and 3″ squares from .090″ to .250″ thick.
Their darker slate has beautiful contrasting black, grays, and occasional quartz streaks. Customers report excellent sound and ease of use. Strikers, chalk, and accessories also available.
Buying Tips for Turkey Call Slate
Following some key tips will help ensure you purchase quality slate:
- Review seller’s detailed slate descriptions and product images.
- Verify the slate’s source and grade. Domestic sources like Pennsylvania and Vermont offer durability.
- Select fine, smooth slate without pits or imperfections. Consistent color is ideal.
- Choose thickness between .060″ – .120″ for best sound.
- Expect to pay $3 to $10 for a 3″ or 4″ square slab.
- Consider buying sample packs to test different slate types.
- Check return policy in case the slate doesn’t meet expectations.
Time to Start Crafting Custom Turkey Calls
With top-grade slate in hand, you can begin producing awesome sounding turkey calls. Take your time and refine your skills for making sturdy, reliable game calls. With practice, you’ll be hooked on this rewarding hobby that combines artistry and outdoor passion. And come spring turkey season, you’ll be ready to hit the woods with confidence wielding your own homemade slate call. Happy crafting and good luck calling in those gobblers!
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Turkey Slate Call 101 | Easy Beginners Instructional
FAQ
What is the best wood for turkey slate call?
What sand paper to use for turkey call?
How do I make a turkey call?
Like the FFA classes have done with our box call kits or use your logo to make your own turkey calls. Simply, finish the wood, assemble the insert, and slate top, let the sealer dry overnight, tune the call surface with the included sanding pad and you are ready to talk turkey. A striker is not included in this kit.
Do you need a slate call for turkey hunting?
Every turkey hunter needs a good slate call. This is an excellent call and I would recommend it to any hunter who is serious about turkey hunting. David, just another example of your outstanding turkey calls ! Thank you I just got the cherry slate call.
What is a slate turkey?
The Slate turkey is a breed of domestic turkey from United States. It is also known as Blue Slate and Lavender turkey and is known for the slate gray color of it’s plumage. Exact origin place of this breed is unknown, and there are speculations on how it was developed.
What THK do you use for a turkey call?
3″ Copper .062 thk. 3-1/2″ Glass .080 thk. 3″ Glass .080 thk. 3-1/2″ Copper “Fryin’ Pan” .062 thk. We cater to the custom call maker by offering most any parts and supplies needed to build a turkey call, duck call, grunt call, owl hooter, crow call, goose call or coyote howler.