I want to get a new simple system keyless flute in D. I’ve narrowed it down to either a Hammy Hamilton, a Marcus Hernon or a George Ormiston, but now I’m stuck. Can I get some opinions from players of any of these flutes 
Stuck record here: Hammy. I’m very happy with my 6-key, and have met other players happy with their keyless models.
I’ve played an Ormiston, but not one of Marcus Hernon’s flutes (not sure how I’d feel about the large embouchure hole).
Kevin Krell
I tried Hammy and Ormiston when I was looking for a keyless - and the Hammy won out by quite a long way. Hammy’s are hugely popular flutes, and for very good reason! (Listen to Paul McGrattan for a great Hammy advert!)
I haven’t tried a Hernon, but I did hear his sound clips and it sounded like a mighty powerful flute - but that just opens up the old “is it the player or the flute” argument.
You might consider putting Eamonn Cotter on your list. I know a couple of really good players who would put a Cotter above a Hammy. I’ve played a Cotter and certainly thought it was in the same league.
With a Hammy at 700 Euros, (£467) and an Ormiston at £540 (800 Euros), the Hammy is by far the better deal. Second hand values on Ormistons are very poor (this may not, however, be a consideration from your point of view but I think it tells its own story!)
With the Hernon at 480 Euros (£320), I would certainly go out of my way to find out as much as I can about this flute - that’s a stunning price.
Food for thought I hope,
Graham
PS, Tony (Grixxly) was considering selling his Hammy keyless, might be worth getting in touch!
I’ve thought about it, and I’d let it go for $1000, but I doubt I’ll get any takers. It’s too good to let go for anything less then premium. And the last time I talked to Hammy his waiting list was only 8 months… [Guess I’ll have to keep it 
]
For anyone interested I’m going to be selling an eight key Kohlert with case for $500. Blackwood body and I think an ebonite head. Nice enought, I just can’t play with keys, and when I finally can I have my Gerock.
Cheers,
Tony
I’m leaning toward the Hammy. Thanks for the info. The one remaining question I have is hole size. I understand Hammy’s flutes are based on a Pratten type model, which means bigger holes. I currently play an M&E Rudall and Rose keyless. How much more of a stretch and hole size difference is there with the Hammy? 
Completely OT here…go to any sessions in the area? There is one Wed night that I go to, and I know of one Sunday afternoons at Fibber McGee’s.
Drop me a line some time.
Aodhan
P.S. No clue on the hammy sizes, although if you send him a letter, he’ll send you a rubbing of one of his flutes to compare. If I remember the one he sent me, it was comparable to maybe a titch larger than my M&E R/R.
Hammy makes the best flutes - at least accordingly to my opinion. You have to wait for a half year, or perhaps for a bit more time. But it will highly worth waiting. You will be very happy with it.
Ormiston’s flutes are a bit expensive. His flutes aren’t bad at all - but no good enough for this price (I think at least). You will have to wait less than a Hammy flute.
Marcus Hernon flute makes also very good flutes - and I think better ones than Ormiston (private opinion). Good and reasonable price. Excellent choise. Somebody must convince Marcus to NOT TO MAKE his flutes with TEFLON TENON, because it’s extremely DANGEROUS. I’ve heard that it might cause a crack on the barrel in a couple of week, and you surely won’t escape of crack in a year-long period.
I do not even trust thread tenon. My Michael Grinter flute was made with it, and the thread tenon made a crack on the barrel in the second week. I think cork tenon is the best. Minority report.
Bennett
Hi tmesler,
I started off on one of the “original flavour” M&E flutes and found the stretch on my Hamilton flute took a bit of getting used to. That said, after a week it was like second nature and it was back to getting the friggin’ thing to play. I imagine that Michael Cronnolley’s R&R model has slightly larger finger holes than his original so you might find it a bit easier making the adjustment than I did.
My opinion, get Hammy to make you a flute. If you’ve got average sized hands at all you’ll have no trouble covering all the holes. It’s worth the wait, and worth plenty more than what Hammy charges. Good luck on whatever you decide.
All the best,
Wes
Of the three, Hammy…hands down. They sound great, and the waiting list and prices are comparatively painless, as I understand. Don’t own one myself, but Hammy players sing his praises in that regard.
Oddly, I have yet to see a keyed Hammy.
Well, it looks like C&Fer timgreenwood is selling his keyless blackwood D Hammy now, so that would be a good price and no wait.
I’ve done quite well buying “new to me” flutes, YMMV, but wouldn’t hurt to drop him a P.M.
Mary