I first took up the whistle because--as BillChin said--it was an inexpensive instrument for me at the time, but fed my need to continue to make music. I was so poor at the time that I couldn't even afford to be a starving student
and had sold my clarinet from high school just to eat and pay rent.That was 20+ years ago and it was a nickel Gen D and it was a GOOD whistle, both in tone and playability. I never lusted in my heart nor desired another nor ever knew high end whistles existed until just recently.
I had made a life change in the last year, and in the process most of my material goods ended up in storage including my whistle, my recorders, my hammered dulcimer, etc. Well my mood worked around to where I felt like making music again.
I was in a music store looking at their dulcimers (which were disappointing), and I said to myself, "Well it's not a total waste, I can get another whistle and another copy of my trusty whistle book." While I was doing that, I noticed this book about "Low D Whistles" and that made me notice the store actually HAD some Low D's on display.
After looking at the sticker prices !!!
!!! And of course realizing that my hands weren't BIG enough (not knowing anything about modified piper's grips or suchlike) I managed to restrain myself and just leave with the Gen high D and the one book.But when I got home and fired up the whistle, I noticed something: This whistle did NOT play or sound like "MY" whistle!
The intonation was poor and the octave change was rough. That and the niggling mental questions about Low D whistles got me looking online. I discovered the Wanderer's excellent reviews, C&F, and of course, this forum.
And the inevitable WhOA .......... as in WhOA, Nellie!!!
Currently I have a Susato Low D with the two keys and a Mahan Woodwinds high D in cocobolo.
Do I have plans to acquire more "high end" whistles?? You betcha.
They're like golf clubs! Guns! Spinning Wheels! (don't ask me how many of the latter I have)
Seriously it's enjoyable. And compared to any other instrument very affordable even at the high end. (you don't want to know what a decent recorder goes for) There's lots more music available these days, and while I agree the "acid test" is playing for an audience, I'm quite content to annoy my two cats.
no, a Burke DASBT. It arrived yesterday and I haven't put it down since. The tone is pure, my ornamentation sounds crisp and what's more I can play along with CTL CD's without cursing the tuning 
, it really flatters me.
It's only $35...what's $35 
I had to buy it.