I’ve found flutes, a recorder and even an Indian Flute
Does anybody know of a maker or makers building walking sticks or canes with Irish whistles in them?
Chuck, I have a Hoover A from a ski pole. Not sure he still makes one so that the whole ski pole will still assemble. Mack is the only one I recall that comes close.
Judy
I’ve been making a few walking sticks lately and one of my projects is to do a walking stick flute, but I’d be interested in a whistle model! What is the physical arrangement for the recorder one you have seen? Does the stick come apart to expose a head? A pic would be great.
Some sticks.
I surely do remember that one, Mack. Always thought it one of your coolest efforts
Re the recorders-
I don’t have pictures. I met the guy at a Highland heavy athletics competition a few years back, admired his wares, but was broke, then lost his card. He was primarily a maker of Indian flutes, but had a couple of the recorders and a couple of low G whistles that were just gorgeous.
We talked long about building whistles along the lines of the recorders - don’t know if he ever tried it or not.
To the best of my recollection, one of the recorder airways was built into a head somewhat like the third from left in the bottom row above, but with a shorter neck like the middle two in the upper row. . From the point, which was somewhat flattened, and airway led down to a visible tonehole and blade on the “back” side at about the level of the band. The shaft was bored below that and the fingerholes about where you’d expect. I don’t recall whether the shaft was detachable below the last hole, but we did discuss the possibility of simply boring a “bell” hole into the side of the shaft without actually transecting the shaft.
The other instrument was a staff rather than a cane. A detachable knob top hid a rather ordinary carved fipple and the instrument simply resided in the top portion of the staff, which had to be detached from the lower section to be played. My only question was how sturdy such a staff would be, or if it was merely decorative. As I recall the answer was “sort of”.
I’ve made a Native Flute with a side fipple on it, I suppose it could be done on a whistle as well.
Problem with bamboo one-piece walking-sticks is shipping it - could get quite expensive.
These look promising, and the people are nice (via email): http://www.serenitybambooflutes.com/walkingstickflutes.html#description
Two observations:
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That will definitely give you some elbow room at your next session. Does it come with liability insurance for facial reconstruction surgery?
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I want a built-in compass on my next whistle!
If you make the whistle a high G, you’ll have not one but two potent weapons to ward off muggers and angry dogs.
Something like this perhaps?
A little project to finish off 2010.
Very nice work!. 
Happy New Year.
Erle,
It is a beautiful instrument! I am amazed!
Mack
Lovely. I like the concept of “hidden music” - cajhon (spelling?) drums, etc. I feel a project coming on too…
Kludgers (like me) can make walking-stick whistles too. Not as pretty as the ones above, but it still works.
“Kiddie” High sensitivity smoke detection pipe. 25mm. It’s a low D.
Cajón … the augmentative form of “caja”, and meaning basically “big box”.
As distinct from “cojón”, which is something very different …
I can vouch for “Erik the Flutemaker”. I love my Walking Cane Flute.
http://www.eriktheflutemaker.com/Walking_Flute.htm
He’s out of stock right now, but you could try to order one made. (These are “summer seasonal” instruments)