This is my commercial post for march. Last commercial post was in February.
‘‘Whistles of Wood’’ are made by myself, Tommy Dion in Santa Fe, Texas.
This one in the key of D is from Black Walnut with white delrin plug, and brass ends. The underside of the fipple is curved for a comfortable feel to the mouth.
The wind way is curved and the delrin plug helps reduce clogging. The brass tuning slide is ample enough to accommodate playing with others.
Price is $140.00 plus mailing.
It takes no less than three months to make a fine wood whistle. There are steps that require waiting for the wood to stabilize. I do not turn them down to size the first time. They start square and the hole is bored. Then wait a few weeks and check the bore. It may need to be sized again. Then the corners are tuned off and another wait to see if it remains straight. It is turned down two more times with waiting in between.
In 2006 I tweaked and sold ‘‘Irvine Whistles’’ to raise funds to begin ‘‘Whistles of Wood’’. While waiting for the wood to behave. I have been working on ‘‘Irvine Pocket whistles’’.
This one in the key of D is made of cpvc with curved wind way and delrin plug to resist moisture cling. They are on the quiet side of medium in volume. It comes in three parts that go togeather easy. Comes with a pouch that fits in the pocket. Please NOT THE BACK POCKET. They are $45.00 plus mailing.
All of those whistles look well crafted Tommy, but the wooden one looks REALLY nice. I know that sound and looks are two different things, but it is hard to concieve of a whistle that pretty sounding anything other than sublime… Well done
I received this in an email from a buyer in New Jersy.
Quote
Tommy,
just wanted to take a minuet to let you know that I am totally in love with the cherry D whistle that I bought from you. To be perfectly honest, I think it ranks right alongside my Abell blackwood D. It has such a pure sweet sound, and plays effortlessly. you are an excellent craftsman indeed.
Clicking on the link below will take you to a picture of the Black Cherry whistle.
I’m afraid I must disagree on the 3 month wood whistle. Using Penmakers “Stabilized Wood Blanks” (Google it) eliminates any need for cure-stabilization. The Media/Blank selection is Legion!
Thomas, you realize that Tommy posted that three and a half years ago, right? And I would think Tommy knows how long it takes to make one of his own whistles, wood or otherwise.
Do you stabilize your own wood Thomas? Do you use pressure or vacuum in your stabilizatuion technique?
Yes, decorative brass ferrules can be added. Delrin is strong enough without reinforcement rings, so the brass is only for appearance. With a matt finish on the delrin it looks similar to black wood.
The three part pocket whistle of black delrin is $65.00. Plus mailing.
Decorative brass ferrules added are $5.00 a ring.
Right now there is only a two week waiting list after payment is made.
Thank you for your interest in the whistles I make.
