Low F. Optima or Shearwater?

[shalomjj]

Considering a low F and want a solid whistle but not too loud and easy to play in the 2nd octave. Out of these two which would be recommended? Or any other ideas?

[fatmac]

I have a Shearwater low F, I like it a lot - but I'm spoiled, as I also have an MK now, which gets most of my attention.

[shalomjj]

Thanks! Any comments on the Optima versus Shearwater?

[RoberTunes]

Well, indirectly and directly. Here are comments and performances of Optima and Shearwaters, by
a world-class performer (Orlaith McAuliffe) and a world-class whistle reviewer (Nathaniel Dowell)

An Optima Eb put through all kinds of performance tests by a musical genius:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB8h1za61Wk

A Shearwater G (and A and D) reviewed they way they should be to explain the Shearwater whistles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reEBskc ... o&index=56

>>>>>> Which leaves you just a note here and there off your main concern of the key of F, but close enough for
general characteristics. So onto the key of F itself:

Here's the review of the Shearwater F, by N. Dowell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6_BQvC9RoY
Here's the Optima F introduced and played by its maker Phil Hardy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHGwtYH2OWY