What Kind of Kilt to Buy next???

**swat88eighty** · 28th October 04, 12:59 PM

I want a new kilt already

And it's only been a week since I got my first one!!! But, I need to know some stuff.
I have a kiltmart.com economy kilt, it's PV (as far as I know) and it's I think 4 yards. I like it, but I want a more traditional, 8 yard PV, with a nicer front panel, more material, a little warmer, etc.
I am currently considering the following
Stillwater standard
Kiltmart hand sewn
Below: -POSSIBLY- It will take a long time for me to raise enough money.
Bear 8 yards (if I had the money, I'd get a bear or USAK)
USA Kilt traditional
Also-
does anyone else have a kiltmart kilt? If so, and you have more than one kilt (different manufacturer's) who else do you have, and how does the kiltmart economy look compared to it? Like compared to a sportkilt, stillwater cheap kilt, etc.
I am not really into the whole "modern kilt" thing, just traditional, no pockets, tartan kilts, BUT I respect you all who have them either way.
thanks for all your help!
-Jonathan

**Colin** · 28th October 04, 01:11 PM

Bear kilts will take longer than the other companies to get, but I think that if you seach this site, you will find that anybody that has gotten an 8 yard Bear kilt will highly recommend it. I had 2 4-yard kilts from Bear before I ordered my 8 yard. I have never looked at my 4 yard kilts the same way since. Well worth the cost. Besides, the wait time is slowly coming down with Bear in a new location.

When I was thinking about ordering another 4 yard or an 8 a friend said that if I really wanted the 8 to wait until I had the amount and then order, or I would still want to get an 8 yard. Glad I waited, I am wearing my 8 yard Bear kilt today.

**Jerry** · 28th October 04, 01:58 PM

I have two wool, 4 yard casual kilts, and I'm looking at getting an 8 yarder (USA doesn't call theirs 8 yard kilts because the amount of material varies according to your size and the tartan. I will more than likely go with Bear or USA kilts. The problem I have with both of them is that I like the 3 straps and buckles on my wool kilts. Neither of these excellent kilt makers uses buckles. The system used by both Bear and USA is no doubt as good or better than the straps and buckles, but I just like the appearance of the buckles. However, I must say that both the Bear 8 yarder and USA traditionals are less costly than my 4 yard wool kilts.

**Colin** · 28th October 04, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by JerMc

I have two wool, 4 yard casual kilts, and I'm looking at getting an 8 yarder (USA doesn't call theirs 8 yard kilts because the amount of material varies according to your size and the tartan. I will more than likely go with Bear or USA kilts. The problem I have with both of them is that I like the 3 straps and buckles on my wool kilts. Neither of these excellent kilt makers uses buckles. The system used by both Bear and USA is no doubt as good or better than the straps and buckles, but I just like the appearance of the buckles. However, I must say that both the Bear 8 yarder and USA traditionals are less costly than my 4 yard wool kilts.

I believe Bear will use the buckles on his formal cut kilts if it is requested. You would have to ask him, but I thought that came up in a thread a few months ago. I like the buckles as well

USA kilts must be using buckles too, especially if it is a traditional kilt.

**Jerry** · 29th October 04, 07:40 AM

Originally Posted by Colin Sporrano

Originally Posted by JerMc

I have two wool, 4 yard casual kilts, and I'm looking at getting an 8 yarder (USA doesn't call theirs 8 yard kilts because the amount of material varies according to your size and the tartan. I will more than likely go with Bear or USA kilts. The problem I have with both of them is that I like the 3 straps and buckles on my wool kilts. Neither of these excellent kilt makers uses buckles. The system used by both Bear and USA is no doubt as good or better than the straps and buckles, but I just like the appearance of the buckles. However, I must say that both the Bear 8 yarder and USA traditionals are less costly than my 4 yard wool kilts.

I believe Bear will use the buckles on his formal cut kilts if it is requested. You would have to ask him, but I thought that came up in a thread a few months ago. I like the buckles as well

USA kilts must be using buckles too, especially if it is a traditional kilt.

Thank you for the information, Colin, I missed the post earluer, because I have only been a member for one month. I understand the Roger uses some type of hidden hooks as fasteners, but, both Bear and he seem to be extremely customer oriented, so I'm sure that adding straps and buckles wouldn't be an issue for either one.

**RockyR** · 29th October 04, 08:03 AM

Well I don't have what you want yet, but since you asked and I have been around a little while.. this is my nickles worth.

Like you, I have one kilt and want a few more.

The kilt you describe that you want made me think immediately of Bear Kilts. His reputation for high quality PV kilts is known on this board and other venues. He has customers that never post here also. I have never heard one complaint about his kilts. From what I can tell he spends a lot of time focusing on "Your" kilt and the photos look like a pretty good bit of craftmanship.
What I like is the fact that "you cannot" get it in a week or two. Since you have one kilt, the wait for a Bear won't be as bad as if you had none.

USA Kilts is another source for a PV Kilts. Rocky participates here and I think you would be very pleased from what I have read on this site.

I think you would be happy with either, But I suggest you send Jummy Carbomb a Private message message and also read his reviews of the various kilts. In particular, read his review of Stillwater. Since you mentioned the apron you should read his postings. He has given some good info about kilts that I value highly. Because of my admittedly very limited knowledge of kilts, sources like Jimmy are a big help.

**Freelander Sporrano** · 29th October 04, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by Colin Sporrano

Bear kilts will take longer than the other companies to get, but I think that if you seach this site, you will find that anybody that has gotten an 8 yard Bear kilt will highly recommend it. I had 2 4-yard kilts from Bear before I ordered my 8 yard. I have never looked at my 4 yard kilts the same way since. Well worth the cost. Besides, the wait time is slowly coming down with Bear in a new location.

When I was thinking about ordering another 4 yard or an 8 a friend said that if I really wanted the 8 to wait until I had the amount and then order, or I would still want to get an 8 yard. Glad I waited, I am wearing my 8 yard Bear kilt today.

As the Newest owner Of an 8 yard Bear here on the forum I'd just like to say. Besides the wait the kilt is well and I mean well worth it . I got an 8 yarder. One thing that did suprise me was the weight. The kilt was heavier than I expected from talking to others here on the forum. It's not as heavy as my wool 8 yard tank. It's made me not want a 4 yarder though. Do I like it? First impressions are very favorable.It's too early to give a proper apraisal.

Thats my 5 bob's worth

**Riverkilt** · 29th October 04, 09:20 AM

Good advice.

Don't overlook Freedom Kilts and Pittsburgh Kilts for quality non-traditional work with a short jones.

Ron

**swat88eighty** · 29th October 04, 01:01 PM

So, those of you who have bear 8 yards, how warm are they in comparison to a 4 yard PV (not wool)
-Jonathan

**Colin** · 29th October 04, 01:10 PM

quite a bit warmer. there are way more pleats in the back, which makes it quite a bit heavier. The front apron is still roughly the same ( a bit more protection against wind), but the back adds a huge amout of warmth. The clan tartans are also a bit heavier than the Canadian ones with regards to material. An 8-yard clan tartan kilt will never compare to 8 yards of 20 oz wool, but they sure do keep you warm on a BC winter night.