When IDAwHOa had his big renaming contest, I ended up winning a discount on a wooden Weston whistle from Simon Styles. Well, here’s what I bought:
It’s a high D made of English Yew, with a moderately loud but pleasant tone. It’s non-tunable, but well in tune with itself (I haven’t checked its absolute tuning yet), and has a good cross-fingered Cnat. The whistle has a slight waist, being a bit wider at each end. Simon says (I had to work that in somehow) that this waist is intended to be a “signature” feature of Weston whistles, and I think it looks nice. All-in-all, I’m quite pleased.
I am really glad you enjoyed the contest AND the whistle you got. I have one of his whistles in Sapele (without the cool copper ornament at the mouthpiece end) and it is one of our favorite sounding whistles.
That seems to be a feature of most English wooden whistles. Bleazeys, Swaynes, and Roses all have the waist, too. There are good reasons to make a whistle in that shape.
I don’t mean to rain on your parade but I’m sure I’ve read that yew is a poisonous wood. I’m not sure I’d want to use a whistle made from it - perhaps you have better information than I do however.
Maybe there’s more than one variety? Whistles have been made out of yew for ages, and I’ve never heard it killing anyone. Some people may be sensitive to it, but that’s true of cocus, cocobolo, and even blackwood.
Certainly the yew I’m talking about is the same yew as this whistle is made from. Who else is making whistles using yew? Or has it been used for whistles and other woodwinds down the ages? Just curious.
I know from experience it’s a lovely wood to work with - carves easily and takes a great finish. It’s interesting though that there’s all this folklore associated with it being poisonous and no-one seems concerned with using it for woodwinds.
I’d be interested to hear what a woodwind maker would have to say on the subject.
I had heard that yew was poisonous, but I’m not too worried about it. I don’t chew on my whistles, or even touch the fipple with my tongue. If yew can be held in the hand safely (yew longbows, anyone?), then I don’t think having it touch my lips will be any worse. If I die from yew poisoning, however, I’ll be sure to let y’all know.
the only time i have heard of yew being hazardous to one’s health is when
the english used it to make their long bows. although, what you are
saying about the wood being poisonous could be correct, gerry.
I’ve seen folks mention Yew being poisonous, but the articles I’ve read either talk about the berries or about farm animals having problems eating the leaves and the wood.
I don’t doubt the berries are harmful, but lots of things are poisonous to animals that are fine for us. Chocolate and dogs, green onions and horses (causes anemia), etc.
Unless you have an allergic reaction, I’d bet you could eat your whistle with only the side effect of a few splinters.
Herbally speaking, the most poisonous parts of Yew are the leaves, seeds, fruits, and bark-- the wood, from what I understand, is not as toxic. The leaves and seeds have been used as an expectorant and purgative, but there are so many other less toxic things to use for those things.
Anyhoo, the limited contact one would have with the wood while playing an instrument would yield minimal hazards, IMHO. But, if one was really concerned, you could check with a Master Herbalist to see what she/he might have to say.
Thanks. It turns out that 2004 has been the “Year of the Whistle” for me. I’ve already gotten 4 new high-end whistles this year, and I have 2 more on order (one of them is a gift for my Dad, though). Sheesh… When I see that in writing, I almost feel guilty. Let me just say that I have a very generous and understanding spouse! (I suffer from WhOA, she suffers from the equivalent disorder for quilt fabrics.)
As for the silver lining… maybe it’s hidden under a layer of tarnish? (I know, I’m no help.)
