Mass market pewter kilt pins... Tourist tat, or prized possession?

[Sam Henderson]

Hi all, I was just wondering if I was alone in my attitude towards the pewter kilt pins found most kilt stores I've visited - you know the ones, there's usually a rack of clan crest pins, or pins shaped as claymores or thistles (sometimes set with synthetic stones). I find myself pigeonholing them alongside products such as Nessie ornaments, tartan tin shortbread and Scotland themed fridge magnets... I.e. Trinkets aimed at tourists.

From reading through other threads on Xmarks, I think a lot of people look for something a little more personal or special when it comes to a kilt pin. Either way, it'll be interesting to see if it is just my own prejudice towards these mass market consumerist products.

Cheers,
Sam

[CollinMacD]

I think it depends. I go to the Scottish Games, and cannot believe the trash they sell there, yet sometimes you run across something worthwhile, and nicely made. So much Medieval, Dungeon & Dragons, strange swords, daggers, crowns, and the list goes on. My favorite are the black wolf t-shirts. So much trash, I rarely purchase anything anymore, except the Irish coffee at Richmond.

I would look at the detail on the pin, if its crisp, good clean lines, and if it is the correct crest then its good. There is nothing wrong with pewter, but I would pay extra for the silver. I rather have one silver than a box of pewter, that is my on humble opinion. I have a tendency to stay away from synthetic stones, fake wood, plastic etc. I would rather spend a few extra dollars (pounds), and purchase a good item. Remember you get what you pay for.

[Terry Searl]

Hi all, I was just wondering if I was alone in my attitude towards the pewter kilt pins found most kilt stores I've visited - you know the ones, there's usually a rack of clan crest pins, or pins shaped as claymores or thistles (sometimes set with synthetic stones). I find myself pigeonholing them alongside products such as Nessie ornaments, tartan tin shortbread and Scotland themed fridge magnets... I.e. Trinkets aimed at tourists.

From reading through other threads on Xmarks, I think a lot of people look for something a little more personal or special when it comes to a kilt pin. Either way, it'll be interesting to see if it is just my own prejudice towards these mass market consumerist products.

Cheers,
Sam

I found a stirling silver sword and stone type kilt pin in a thrift shop and a while later I found a small maple leaf broach. I put them together with a little epoxy and made a kilt pin to wear on my Canadian maple leaf tartan kilt....4_kilt_pin.jpg 22_Maple_Leaf_tartan_and_pin.jpg The stone(glass)on the sword pin was an amethyst colour and as that is the colour of my birthstone I felt it tied in nicely......

I also found a grouse foot pin in an antique shop in Charlestown, Cornwall, and mounted it on my black sporran where a tassel was missing......image.jpg

[Jock Scot]

Hi all, I was just wondering if I was alone in my attitude towards the pewter kilt pins found most kilt stores I've visited - you know the ones, there's usually a rack of clan crest pins, or pins shaped as claymores or thistles (sometimes set with synthetic stones). I find myself pigeonholing them alongside products such as Nessie ornaments, tartan tin shortbread and Scotland themed fridge magnets... I.e. Trinkets aimed at tourists.

From reading through other threads on Xmarks, I think a lot of people look for something a little more personal or special when it comes to a kilt pin. Either way, it'll be interesting to see if it is just my own prejudice towards these mass market consumerist products.

Cheers,
Sam

Hello Sam. You are not alone I can assure you. I think however, that we do need to be a tad forgiving with those just starting out with their kilt attire though.

[Sam Henderson]

CollinMacD Yeah I know the wolf t-shirts you are talking about haha I totally agree, there’s nothing wrong with pewter... it’s an easily worked metal that polishes up nicely and looks the part without costing a fortune to buy. I would always just pay more for the silver though, if not only for the luxury, but also as it’s much easier to look after and maintain.

Terry Searl It’s great to see handmade pins, and I love that you have a connection to it. You have a story to tell about it that extends farther than just saying where you bought it and how much it cost. Nice geousefoot pin there too! You seem to be luckier than me in finding treasure.

Jock Scot oh by no means would I ever lay judgement on someone for wearing one, different strokes for different folks. It just seems that for a new kilt owner; who has gone to the lengths of having a fitting done, selecting their choice of materials, style, tartan (and for a tidy sum of money, I may add)... pinning an off-the-rack thistle with a wonky pin does you a disservice. I think that your kilt pin is pretty much the first place you can start making your outfit “your own”, so it’s a wonder to me that people still buy them?

[ThistleDown]

Hello Sam. You are not alone I can assure you. I think however, that we do need to be a tad forgiving with those just starting out with their kilt attire though.

I well remember a few years ago an American chap finding his 'roots' in the Highlands and buying every bit of tat he could, as long as it had something (read: anything) to do with his new-found family. Eventually he visited Scotland a couple of times and joined us. He learned quickly and began acquiring quality gear. Then he began to sell off the rubbish. He's probably well-dressed by now and has some things he will feel justified in passing on to the next generation.

[Luke MacGillie]

I have a couple of these kilt pins. Both made by a local pewterer, is that the word? Anyway one is of a basket hilt, the the other is for a local Celtic band. Neither are "Common" outside of our local area. Sometimes I wear them, sometimes I dont.

Can we even discuss such things out here in the open? I mean they are swords for goodness sake!

[kingandrew]

Many start kilting with an "outfit" package, which will typically incorporate much of the "rental-style" accessories with the kilt. My first was a Ren-faire acrylic number, with a sporran that felt like cardboard and could barely hold a pack of smokes, a bargain chain belt to hold it, some flashes (which I still have and use), and one of those claymore kilt pins. I still have the pin, but rarely use it.

When i bought this set, I knew that it was a try-out. If I found that I was comfortable and enjoyed wearing the kilt, I fully intended to upgrade quickly. And that is what happened. It was only a few months before I ordered a wool kilt from Scotweb, began buying better sporrans, and bought a nice belt with sporran hangers to do away with the chain belt. I passed most of my original kit onto a friend's teenage son, who was interested in trying out the kilt himself.

I hope to purchase an antique silver pin while I am in the US this summer (kilt pins are not easy to find in Beijing). Our school had its Chinese New Year party last night and I wore my kilt. I cannot tell you how many pictures I was asked to pose in. It was also amusing to see the fascination of many fellow passengers on the subway.

Andrew

[Sam Henderson]

Thistledown I guess ‘heirloom’ quality is at the forefront of my considerations when I am looking to buy something new. It’s nice to hear that the American gentleman has invested in some solid items that will last a lifetime.

Luke MacGillie I suspect the quality of the pins from the local pewtersmith(?) is in another league compared to the pins I mentioned in my first post. Also, his designs would be unique to his area (unless he sells online) especially the local Celtic band pin - knowing the craftsman and knowing the origin of the pin makes for a fine pin, and a fine story of asked.

Kingandrew Good point! I came from renting a kilt a few times before I bought one; so I knew I already was comfortable wearing it. If you are buying a cheapo kilt to test it out, the kilt pin quality is the last of your concerns at that point. I received one of these pins for free when I purchased my kilt package, it was also a claymore pin (the barrel clasp was so loose and badly made that it fell off as I was putting the kilt on haha), so I had to invest in a new one and that’s where I made the choice for quality. It’s great to hear your kilt went down a treat at the party, good luck in finding that silver pin too

[ShaunMaxwell]

You might find this thread interesting, though I fear that many of the images are now missing:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...lt-pins-64703/