Friction Calls, Which type is better?

[Mr. Mossy Oak]

Can anyone tell me which type of friction call is better and the easiest reproduce the sounds? Also, how much do the different surfaces of friction calls make different sounds?

[WildmanWilson]

The easiest may be the push pull. You can take it out of the package without any practice and call a bird.

I don't think there is a "best" call, just one that you like the best. I like slate calls the best but others like box calls. They are all pretty easy to learn so give them all a try and see what you like.

On slate calls, the slate will be lower in tone where glass is higher and the metal the highest. The same with box calls, the harder the wood the higher the pitch most times.

[Thunder Head]

For me a plain slate call is the easiest to learn. The friconite surfaces like the ole yeller and freak calls are easy to learn too.
Next would be the box call. It is probably the easiest to learn to yelp on, but other sounds take some practice.
For a beginner:
I personely recomend the little duece by H.S. strut or the Ole Yeller by Knight and Hale, for slate calls. I like the mad calls cherry bomb for a box call.
These are inexpensive but solid calls for you to start with.

[RutNBuck]

in ideal conditions the push -pull style would be the way to go HOWEVER as we all know not every hunt is going to be ideal..so therefore i would perfer the slate since they are made in anything from slate,glass,plexiglass and aluminum......the slate in hands of a master will fool anyone and any tom in the woods...

[MENIFEE BUCK]

I personely recomend the little duece by H.S. strut or the Ole Yeller by Knight and Hale, for slate calls. I like the mad calls cherry bomb for a box call.
These are inexpensive but solid calls for you to start with.

I AGREE 100%. THE OLE YELLER IS MY PERSONAL FAVORITE.:D

[skin_dog1]

I disagree on the push pull. I guess they are easy to make sounds with, but rarely do they stay tuned and make realistic sounds. Tehy also don't have that claasic 2 note yelp and to me a box call or slate is real easy to master. It usually only takes a few minutes to teach someone to use either and have them making much better sounds than any push buitton I've heard. As far as calling surfaces go, everything about a call makes it sound different. The surface, the wood, the striker, striker tip, soundboard size, soundboard material. You change any of these and you have a completely different call. I prefer slate for a calling surface. Seems I always get more consistent sounds. From there the options are limitless.

[Big R]

Can anyone tell me which type of friction call is better and the easiest reproduce the sounds? Also, how much do the different surfaces of friction calls make different sounds?


I dont think there is a best,they all have their place.
The key is to sound as much like a turkey as you can and use what your most comfortable with.

I know some really great turkey hunters that use a push/pull type call day in day out.

[WoodsWhisperer]

For me a plain slate call is the easiest to learn. The friconite surfaces like the ole yeller and freak calls are easy to learn too.
Next would be the box call. It is probably the easiest to learn to yelp on, but other sounds take some practice.
For a beginner:
I personely recomend the little duece by H.S. strut or the Ole Yeller by Knight and Hale, for slate calls. I like the mad calls cherry bomb for a box call.
These are inexpensive but solid calls for you to start with.
I agree anything in the lil' deuce line is awsome. The biggest turkey I've called in was with the lil' deuce 2, great calls, and you can't beat the price.

[wrangler95]

I have many friction calls in boxes and slate and they all sound good but I like my Power Crystal slate by Primos the best of all!!!

[Xi Bowhunter]

For me a plain slate call is the easiest to learn. The friconite surfaces like the ole yeller and freak calls are easy to learn too.
Next would be the box call. It is probably the easiest to learn to yelp on, but other sounds take some practice.
For a beginner:
I personely recomend the little duece by H.S. strut or the Ole Yeller by Knight and Hale, for slate calls. I like the mad calls cherry bomb for a box call.
These are inexpensive but solid calls for you to start with.

The primos "freak" is my slate of choice, I have called in many-a-bird with that call

[silentgate]

You can't go wrong with the Knight & Hale Ol' Yeller Sla-Tek friction call. Easy to use. If you're looking for a good push-pull call try the Tom Coffin.

[cliner]

I own over 50 turkey calls not including mouth calls and all make different sounds..I picked up the Primos Jackpot today and is prolly the best sounding friction call i got.. It is amazing..alot of times a different striker will make a different tone as well..its all in what the tom wants to hear