Let’s Talk About Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls The Ninja Hammer Mouth Call
The Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls The Ninja Hammer Mouth Call is a unique offering from the Woodhaven Calls brand, designed by Jerry Smothers of Smothers Calls. This mouth call aims to provide ease of use and versatility, promising everything from hard and loud yelps to soft and mellow clucks. It’s designed to be a go-to call, whether you’re practicing in your backyard or deep in the turkey woods.
My quest for the perfect mouth call has been ongoing, seeking one that offers both realistic sound and ease of use. I’ve often struggled with calls that either require too much air pressure or are too difficult to consistently produce the desired sounds. The promise of the Ninja Hammer being easy to use, yet powerful, immediately piqued my interest.
The call arrived in a simple, protective package. My initial impression was that the craftsmanship looked decent; the tape was applied neatly, and the latex seemed of good quality. The black, yellow, and pale yellow colors of the latex reeds were visually appealing.
Compared to my tried-and-true diaphragm calls from Primos and Quaker Boy, the Ninja Hammer intrigued me with its unique reed configuration. While my other calls typically feature two or three reeds of the same thickness, the Ninja Hammer’s use of varied latex colors and thicknesses seemed designed for a different sound profile. I was hoping for a call that could produce both the high-pitched kee-kees and the raspy yelps of an old hen.
My first impression was cautiously optimistic. The design looked promising, and I was eager to see if it lived up to the claims of being both easy to use and highly versatile. Only time and a trip to the turkey woods would tell.
Real-World Testing: Putting Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls The Ninja Hammer Mouth Call to the Test
First Use Experience
I tested the Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls The Ninja Hammer Mouth Call during a scouting trip in early spring in the Appalachian foothills of Pennsylvania. The weather was cool and damp, a typical spring day in the region, with temperatures hovering around 45 degrees and a light drizzle falling. The goal was to locate roosting areas and gauge turkey activity before the season officially opened.
The call performed reasonably well in the damp conditions; the latex didn’t seem overly affected by the moisture. However, achieving consistent, clear calls required a bit of a learning curve. The “hammer” design took some getting used to, as it demanded a different tongue placement and air pressure than my traditional diaphragm calls.
My initial attempts produced more squeaks and squawks than convincing turkey sounds. It definitely took some practice to find the sweet spot for generating yelps, clucks, and purrs.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several weeks of practice and multiple scouting trips, the Ninja Hammer has proven to be more durable than I initially anticipated. There are no visible signs of wear and tear on the tape or latex, despite being subjected to constant use and varying weather conditions. The call cleans up easily with just a quick rinse under lukewarm water.
However, the learning curve remains a factor. While I can now produce a wider range of sounds with greater consistency, it still requires more focus and control than my preferred diaphragm calls. The Ninja Hammer excels at producing loud, cutting yelps, but struggles to achieve the subtle, seductive purrs and clucks that often seal the deal with a wary gobbler.
Compared to my experiences with other mouth calls, the Ninja Hammer falls somewhere in the middle. It outperforms cheaper, mass-produced calls in terms of sound quality and durability, but it doesn’t quite reach the performance level of custom-made diaphragm calls from brands like H.S. Strut or Lynch.
Breaking Down the Features of Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls The Ninja Hammer Mouth Call
Specifications
- Type: Mouth Call
- Material: Soft black tape/latex
- Color: Black/yellow/pale yellow
- Other Features: Yellow latex and a third layer of black latex provide a unique sound, described as a “hornet on steroids,” capable of both loud and soft calls, specifically great clucks.
- Other Features2: Set by hand, pressed and cut to shape, kept cool until shipping, uses premium reed materials and best latex for great performance.
- Dimension: 1.05 x 2.80 x 3.90
- Height: 1.0500
- Width: 2.8000
- Length: 3.9000
These specifications translate to a call designed for versatility and durability. The use of premium latex and the meticulous manufacturing process aim to ensure consistent sound and longevity. The unique reed configuration, with its multiple layers and varying thicknesses, is specifically designed to produce a wide range of turkey vocalizations.
Performance & Functionality
The Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls The Ninja Hammer Mouth Call performs adequately, but with caveats. It excels at producing loud, aggressive yelps that can cut through wind and distance, making it effective for locating distant gobblers. However, mastering the subtle nuances required for close-range calling takes considerable practice.
The call’s strength lies in its volume and carrying power. The layered latex construction allows for a distinct rasp that many hunters find effective. Its weakness is the difficulty in producing consistent, realistic soft calls.
The Ninja Hammer meets expectations for volume and cutting power, but falls short in terms of ease of use and subtle sound reproduction.
Design & Ergonomics
The build quality is decent; the tape is applied evenly, and the latex feels durable. The size is standard for a mouth call, fitting comfortably in the mouth.
The call is relatively user-friendly, but requires a dedicated practice period to master. The “hammer” design necessitates a specific tongue placement and air pressure that may not be intuitive for all users.
Durability & Maintenance
The materials appear to be of good quality, and the construction seems solid. The call should last for at least a season or two with proper care.
Maintenance is simple: just rinse with lukewarm water and allow to air dry. Avoid storing it in direct sunlight or extreme temperatures.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls The Ninja Hammer Mouth Call does not come with any accessories. Customization is limited to adjusting the call’s shape and reed tension to suit individual preferences, but this requires specialized knowledge and tools.
The call is not specifically designed to be compatible with accessories from other brands.
Pros and Cons of Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls The Ninja Hammer Mouth Call
Pros
- Excellent volume and carrying power for long-distance calling.
- Unique reed configuration provides a distinct rasp.
- Durable construction with quality materials.
- Relatively easy to clean and maintain.
- Affordable price point.
Cons
- Steep learning curve for producing subtle, realistic sounds.
- Requires precise tongue placement and air pressure.
- May not be suitable for beginners.
Who Should Buy Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls The Ninja Hammer Mouth Call?
The Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls The Ninja Hammer Mouth Call is perfect for experienced turkey hunters who prioritize volume and carrying power over subtle sound reproduction. It’s also a good option for hunters who are looking for a durable and affordable mouth call to add to their arsenal.
This product isn’t ideal for beginners or hunters who struggle with tongue control and air pressure. Those who rely heavily on subtle purrs and clucks for close-range calling may also want to consider other options.
A call maintenance kit with cleaning solution and a protective case would be a must-have accessory to prolong the life of the Ninja Hammer.
Conclusion on Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls The Ninja Hammer Mouth Call
The Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls The Ninja Hammer Mouth Call is a decent, affordable option for turkey hunters seeking a loud, raspy call for long-distance communication. While it requires a dedicated practice period to master, it offers good value for the price. The Manufacturer, Woodhaven Calls, designed a product that will fill a void for some hunters but may not be an all-in-one solution for every turkey hunting scenario.
The price is justified for the quality of materials and construction. The Ninja Hammer is a worthwhile investment for experienced hunters willing to put in the time to learn its nuances.
I would recommend it to experienced turkey hunters looking for a loud, cutting call to complement their existing arsenal. Give the Woodhaven Calls Woodhaven Custom Calls The Ninja Hammer Mouth Call a try, and let its unique sound cut through the woods this turkey season.