I keep my elk call diaphragms in a box in the basement or in the fridge. Over time they slowly loose their elasticity and ability to make those subtle sounds they once did. What is the best way to store calling diaphragms and how long should they last for an occasional user, average user and a frequent user? Should I order new diaphragms shortly before the season opener or is anytime of year fine?
The Life Of A Diaphragm
- Thread starter Swede
- Start date
Buglemaster
New member
- Aug 25, 2017
- 334
I dunno the correct answer Sweede, but I have reed calls that are 3 years old that still do their stuff. I keep mine in one of those rubber coin pouches in my archery accessory box. I watch them for signs of deterioration of the latex & dispose of them when I see they are starting to break down. Cant complain on their durability at all & I have one in my mouth constantly when hunting.
Same as Bunglemaster here. Little rubber/plastic change purse in a dark place like a closed drawer of my desk. Also have some in the fridge. I think the key is a darker environment. I can usually go into my third year with them and I use them quite a bit during the season.
I would imagine the climate (wet vs dry) has a lot to do with it. Keeping them in a dark (no UV rays) dry place would help ...
but I also suspect two more things:
1. They\'re more fragile than we often suspect
2. Even if you order them in August, they may have been sitting in non-climate-controlled warehouse in Missouri for the last 5 months.
(Come to think of it, this may apply to other latex products!)
I\'m sure a better question (not to question your questions, Swede :angle: ) would be \"What do I do that ruins diaphragms quickly?\" so that we can avoid those things.
I bet that list would include \"Don\'t keep them on the dashboard of your vehicle\" and \"Don\'t wad up a couple spit-soaked calls in a non-breathable container and leave them that way\" and \"Avoid prolonged exposure to UV light\".
but I also suspect two more things:
1. They\'re more fragile than we often suspect
2. Even if you order them in August, they may have been sitting in non-climate-controlled warehouse in Missouri for the last 5 months.
(Come to think of it, this may apply to other latex products!)
I\'m sure a better question (not to question your questions, Swede :angle: ) would be \"What do I do that ruins diaphragms quickly?\" so that we can avoid those things.
I bet that list would include \"Don\'t keep them on the dashboard of your vehicle\" and \"Don\'t wad up a couple spit-soaked calls in a non-breathable container and leave them that way\" and \"Avoid prolonged exposure to UV light\".
Buglemaster
New member
- Aug 25, 2017
- 334
Addition to Johns list: do not leave in pocket & run through warm water laundry cycle... :shifty:
Regarding Tick\'s thoughts, I believe that pressure on the latex when calling impacts life expectancy too, even if we don\'t blow them out.
WW: Does opening the refrigerator door frequently, diving for popsicles cause deterioration in the latex?
After Joshua killed off all of the elk in Canaan, his grandkids inherited his old diaphragms. Well they sat around awhile and were just taking up space until granddad picked them up real cheap in a garage sale when he vacationed down there one winter. Well he got back home, and called in and shot the last of the elk in his hunting area in Sweden. Later he handed them on down to dad.
Grandpa was going to give his diaphragms to his nephew Leif, but Leif got lost at sea and ended up landing in America. When he finally got back, he sold the boat and went into logging. That is too long a story for this post, but he had no elk left to hunt in his neck of the woods, and stayed close to home. Now I have inherited them but they are a little tight. They are about as stiff as grandpa was when he woke up in the morning. Now I am wondering when it will be time to retire those old reeds. cnelk and I both hate to waste anything. Ya think I should send some of the old reeds to cnelk so they can enjoy one more hunt, or is he just too hard on things? I guess I could send Jacuomo a couple too. It would give him something to blow on while he is sulking about the garbage I pitched him on the questions thread. Lou: You do not have to read the whole Obama care document in order to get your annual health check-up. Just go see Tick. :lol:
WW: Does opening the refrigerator door frequently, diving for popsicles cause deterioration in the latex?
After Joshua killed off all of the elk in Canaan, his grandkids inherited his old diaphragms. Well they sat around awhile and were just taking up space until granddad picked them up real cheap in a garage sale when he vacationed down there one winter. Well he got back home, and called in and shot the last of the elk in his hunting area in Sweden. Later he handed them on down to dad.
Grandpa was going to give his diaphragms to his nephew Leif, but Leif got lost at sea and ended up landing in America. When he finally got back, he sold the boat and went into logging. That is too long a story for this post, but he had no elk left to hunt in his neck of the woods, and stayed close to home. Now I have inherited them but they are a little tight. They are about as stiff as grandpa was when he woke up in the morning. Now I am wondering when it will be time to retire those old reeds. cnelk and I both hate to waste anything. Ya think I should send some of the old reeds to cnelk so they can enjoy one more hunt, or is he just too hard on things? I guess I could send Jacuomo a couple too. It would give him something to blow on while he is sulking about the garbage I pitched him on the questions thread. Lou: You do not have to read the whole Obama care document in order to get your annual health check-up. Just go see Tick. :lol:
elkmtngear
New member
- Aug 9, 2017
- 1,152
They all seem to dry out no matter what I do, but the fridge helps.
I just re-hydrate them with spit
I just re-hydrate them with spit
Several years ago, Don Labauch from E.L.K. Inc. sent me a Power Bugle. It had a rubber cap to place over the latex power band to protect it. After blowing the call several times, I replaced the cap. A few days later I decided to use the call again and found that the latex was stuck to the plastic on the mouth piece and needed to be replaced. I cut and air hole in the rubber cap so the latex could dry out. Problem solved! Don has since started putting vent holes in the caps he now sells. And I highly recommend the Power Bugle for anyone that can\'t make a diaphragm work.
But the purpose of this post is to say that you do need to let your diaphragms dry out as well as keep them out of direct sun light.
But the purpose of this post is to say that you do need to let your diaphragms dry out as well as keep them out of direct sun light.
G
Guest
Guest
I really wish there was an easy answer but honestly guys there isn\'t.
We all call differently and use different amounts of air and tongue pressure. That is what weakens the latex and the nicer you are to the latex while calling with it the longer it will last.
Having said that once a reed starts to get harder to make and hold notes with then it\'s time to replace it. There is just no sense in trying to make a worn out reed do what it can no longer achieve.
Now This is just my opinion on reeds and latex as I\'ve used them all and they all wear out sooner or later !! I\'m not on here to say order from me or anything like that just trying to state some facts that people are looking for.
Now some people have the misconception that a reed should last forever. Well that simply is not true. Reeds are made from latex which is basically the same as condom materials and there are many different kinds of latex !! Some latex is better than others but is also depends on who is using the reed and that latex.
I would say use your reeds for as long as you can and replace them before elk season. There is nothing worse than trying to call an elk in with a reed that is giving erratic tones !! If you buy one your there so pick up a couple and save your self a trip down the road. That is what I do and believe me just because I make my own reeds doesn\'t mean I don\'t buy other manufactures reeds because I do all the time !!
We spend more on a coffee and bran muffin in the morning than a reed costs and that is gone in ten minutes !! So for a few bucks get some extra reeds and enjoy using them !!
Trav
We all call differently and use different amounts of air and tongue pressure. That is what weakens the latex and the nicer you are to the latex while calling with it the longer it will last.
Having said that once a reed starts to get harder to make and hold notes with then it\'s time to replace it. There is just no sense in trying to make a worn out reed do what it can no longer achieve.
Now This is just my opinion on reeds and latex as I\'ve used them all and they all wear out sooner or later !! I\'m not on here to say order from me or anything like that just trying to state some facts that people are looking for.
Now some people have the misconception that a reed should last forever. Well that simply is not true. Reeds are made from latex which is basically the same as condom materials and there are many different kinds of latex !! Some latex is better than others but is also depends on who is using the reed and that latex.
I would say use your reeds for as long as you can and replace them before elk season. There is nothing worse than trying to call an elk in with a reed that is giving erratic tones !! If you buy one your there so pick up a couple and save your self a trip down the road. That is what I do and believe me just because I make my own reeds doesn\'t mean I don\'t buy other manufactures reeds because I do all the time !!
We spend more on a coffee and bran muffin in the morning than a reed costs and that is gone in ten minutes !! So for a few bucks get some extra reeds and enjoy using them !!
Trav
