Let’s Talk About Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls Cherry Classic Crystal Friction Call
The Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls Cherry Classic Crystal Friction Call isn’t just another turkey call; it’s a meticulously crafted instrument designed to mimic the seductive sounds of a hen, drawing gobblers from the deepest woods. Made by Woodhaven Calls, a name synonymous with quality in the turkey hunting world, this friction call boasts a cherry wood pot paired with a crystal surface, promising a unique blend of high-pitched clarity and raspy realism. It’s a call that claims to be versatile enough for soft calling in close quarters and loud yelping to reach distant birds.
My own turkey hunting journey has seen its share of frustrating silence, often attributed to subpar calls that spook more birds than they attract. I needed a call that could consistently produce realistic sounds, a call that would work when the pressure was on and that’s what drove me to search for a quality product. The allure of the Cherry Classic’s reputation for versatility and realistic sound production drew me in.
Unboxing the call, I was immediately struck by its substantial feel and the rich, dark color of the cherry wood. The crystal surface gleamed, promising a crisp, clean sound. The fit and finish were excellent, suggesting a high level of craftsmanship.
Compared to my older slate call and a mass-produced glass call, the Woodhaven felt like a significant step up. The mass-produced call sounded tinny and lacked the nuanced tones of a real hen. My slate call was good, but lacked the volume for longer distances. This one felt more balanced and the sound, even with initial experimentation, was promising.
My initial impression was excitement mixed with a healthy dose of anticipation. Could this call really live up to the hype? The potential for a successful spring season rested on the answer.
Real-World Testing: Putting Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls Cherry Classic Crystal Friction Call to the Test
First Use Experience
I tested the Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls Cherry Classic Crystal Friction Call during the opening week of turkey season in the oak and hickory forests of southern Missouri. I experienced a range of weather conditions, from a crisp, dry morning to a damp, drizzly afternoon. The call performed remarkably well in both, with the crystal surface maintaining consistent sound even with slight moisture.
The learning curve was minimal; within an hour of practice, I was producing convincing yelps, clucks, and purrs. The call’s design made it easy to maintain consistent pressure and create realistic tones. The heavy ridge system allowed a light touch, preventing the harsh, artificial sounds that spook wary gobblers.
The only initial issue was overzealousness, initially applying too much pressure and creating a high-pitched squeak. A lighter touch solved this quickly, showcasing the call’s sensitivity.
Extended Use & Reliability
After a full season of use, the Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls Cherry Classic Crystal Friction Call has become my go-to call. It has consistently performed well, holding up to the rigors of the hunt. There are no signs of significant wear and tear.
Maintenance is simple: a light sanding of the crystal surface with the included conditioning kit keeps it performing like new. This outshines my previous friction calls in both sound quality and consistency. It exceeded expectations in terms of durability and ease of use.
Breaking Down the Features of Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls Cherry Classic Crystal Friction Call
Specifications
- Type: Mechanical. This friction call relies on the physical interaction between the striker and the crystal surface to produce sound.
- Material: Cherry/crystal. The combination of cherry wood and a crystal surface provides a unique tonal quality, blending warmth and clarity.
- Color: Cherry wood/crystal. The natural wood grain of the cherry pot and the clear crystal surface create an aesthetically pleasing call.
- Other features: Most versatile of cherry classic line, easy to use, highest and sweetest notes on the front to raspy, absolute drop off across the shelf. This is what allows one to create so many sounds to call in a gobbler.
- Other features2: The hard biting two note yelps and cutts are remarkable on this call, includes surface conditioning kit, 2 hand matched strikers & surface lid. The extras are needed to care for and to customize your calling.
- Dimension: 1.40 x 6.75 x 10.65. This refers to the packaging dimension.
- Height: 1.4000. This refers to the packaging height.
- Width: 6.7500. This refers to the packaging width.
- Length: 10.6500. This refers to the packaging length.
These specifications are important because they directly impact the call’s sound quality, durability, and ease of use. The cherry and crystal combination provides a balanced sound, while the included conditioning kit ensures long-term performance.
Performance & Functionality
The Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls Cherry Classic Crystal Friction Call excels at mimicking the sounds of a hen turkey, from soft clucks and purrs to loud yelps and cutts. Its ability to produce a wide range of tones and volumes makes it extremely versatile. This versatility allows hunters to adapt their calling to different situations and turkey behaviors.
The call’s strengths lie in its realistic sound, ease of use, and ability to project sound over long distances. One slight weakness might be sensitivity of the crystal surface, which requires a gentle touch to avoid unwanted sounds. It exceeded my expectations and improved my calling success.
Design & Ergonomics
The Cherry Classic boasts excellent build quality. The cherry wood pot is smooth and comfortable to hold, while the crystal surface is securely mounted. The concave bottom fits nicely in the hand creating a balanced feel.
The call is designed with the user in mind, evident in its ease of use and comfortable grip. The ridge system on the crystal surface assists with maintaining consistent contact. There is practically no learning curve to produce convincing sounds.
Durability & Maintenance
The Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls Cherry Classic Crystal Friction Call is built to last, with high-quality materials and solid construction. With proper care and maintenance, the call should provide years of reliable service. The included conditioning kit makes maintenance easy, ensuring consistent performance.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls Cherry Classic Crystal Friction Call comes with a surface conditioning kit and two hand-matched strikers. The included surface lid keeps unwanted debris from damaging the crystal surface. There aren’t many customization options for this type of call beyond experimenting with different strikers to fine-tune the sound.
Pros and Cons of Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls Cherry Classic Crystal Friction Call
Pros
- Incredibly realistic sound. The combination of cherry wood and crystal produces authentic hen sounds that fool even the wariest gobblers.
- Versatile range of tones. The call can produce soft clucks and purrs for close-range calling as well as loud yelps and cutts for reaching distant birds.
- Easy to use. The call is designed for ease of use, even for beginners, allowing for quick mastery of basic turkey calling techniques.
- Durable construction. The high-quality materials and solid construction ensure long-lasting performance.
- Includes essential accessories. The included conditioning kit and strikers provide everything needed to maintain and use the call effectively.
Cons
- Crystal surface sensitivity. The crystal surface requires a delicate touch to avoid unwanted squeaks or scratches.
- Price. At $89.99, it’s more expensive than some other friction calls on the market, although the quality justifies the cost.
Who Should Buy Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls Cherry Classic Crystal Friction Call?
The Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls Cherry Classic Crystal Friction Call is perfect for both experienced turkey hunters seeking a high-quality, versatile call and beginners looking for an easy-to-use and effective option. Those who appreciate craftsmanship and realistic sound reproduction will find this call particularly appealing. Experienced hunters looking for the best sounds will certainly benefit.
Hunters who prefer simpler, less nuanced calls or those on a very tight budget might want to explore other options. A beginner on a budget might find the crystal surface sensitive.
A quality diaphragm call would complement this friction call, offering additional versatility in calling styles. Proper storage in a protective case will help prolong the life of the crystal surface.
Conclusion on Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls Cherry Classic Crystal Friction Call
The Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls Cherry Classic Crystal Friction Call is an outstanding turkey call that delivers on its promise of realistic sound and versatile performance. While the price may be higher than some alternatives, the quality of materials, construction, and sound reproduction justify the investment. It is a value for money when one factors in a successful hunt.
I wholeheartedly recommend this call to anyone serious about turkey hunting. It has significantly improved my calling success and has become an indispensable part of my hunting gear. Invest in the Woodhaven Cherry Classic Crystal Friction Call and experience the thrill of calling in that longbeard you have been chasing.