Ok- I know some of you really love them; but I’d like to hear from folks (in private if you prefer) if you have had negative experiences with these whistles. The website my husband ordered my purpleheart from claims that Lon Dubh plugs are Delrin to reduce swelling, but mine isn’t Delrin (can you say “fraud”) and swelling is definitely an issue. It doesn’t take much playing time for it to become unplayable. I’ve already sent the whistle back because of splintery finsih and swelling in the windway. It was returned to me ( a considerable amount of time later) with claims by the distributor that it had been refinished (it was a bit smoother ) and that it plays beautifully but it doesn’t. I think I’ve been had. Does anyone else feel this way?
Hey there… Blayne Chastain here, owner of W&D. I’m currently in Ireland for the year studying at the University of Limerick for a MA in trad music. I was just checking into the board and saw your post here.
Pat is always experimenting with his design so it can be hard to get exactly the same whistle (as pictured) from him. He also sends us what he’s making and he doesn’t do too many special orders as he is a toolmaker by trade and doesn’t have a lot of extra time (probably why it took a while to get the whistle back from him)
If you are unhappy with your whistle, I would rather you send it back for an exchange - I think we have many blackwood and delrin ones in stock at the moment. If swelling is an issue for you, I would go for the all delrin model. It plays superbly.
As many would attest, we like to take care of our customers - We’re not into it for the “whistle fraud” 
If I was, I’d probably work where the money was better (like Enron!) I’m a player myself and am in it for the craic.
So… hope that clears anything up. These are handmade whistles so they can vary. Best thing you can do is try one out and if it doesn’t suit you, let us know right away and we’ll work to make it right!
So, give Gabby an email so that you can be back on your way to finding whistle Utopia! (will we ever find it?!)
All the very best,