Working Man's Kilt

[exEOD6]

Hello-
New here and never been kilted before but now have to hold up my end of the bargain after shooting my mouth off...

I'm a former US Army Bomb Disposal tech(EOD=Explosive Ordnance Disposal) and now run a small business. I've worked closely with military units and the EOD Warrior Foundation (a branch of the Wounded Warrior Foundation) doing a lot of custom engraving for folks. EOD Warrior has worked with Freedom Kilts to design an EOD Specific Tartan. Over the past year or so I told the Foundation and the Bomb Disposal Community I'd wear a kilt with the EOD Tartan and make it my "official blasting uniform" if they ever got the project finished... well after some hard work they have designed the tartan and are in the process of getting it made. So looks like I'm getting kilted!

I'm looking for a working man's kilt that I can wear in my shop. Something that's durable and heavy, yet functional, kind of low slung around the hips maybe -- I use a high pressure industrial sandblast set up, so it's got to be durable, functional, and something I don't have to be afraid to get a little dirty. When the EOD Tartan is fabricated I'll have one made from the tartan but also will have some of the tartan fashioned into my work kilt. I've been doing a lot of research and checking out a lot of the kilt makers suggested on this and other pages. I like the box pleating and idea of some cargo pockets, maybe a slash pocket up front, I like the thinner front apron, and really like some of the detail in the needle work in some of the kilts. The idea of the bilt kilt black twill and hybrid kilt appeal to me from the pics at least--Bilt Kilt (http://www.burnetts-struth.com/bilt-kilts/), and I like the look and really like the price of UT Kilts (http://www.utkilts.com/). Planning on wearing work boots and a tshirt with it...

Does anyone have any suggestions for a working man's kilt and suggestions for a functional fit while working with industrial gear in the shop? Most pics I see are of tartan kilts for formal or casual wear - haven't really seen many pics of utility kilts in use or guys at work wearing kilts... I was hoping to keep the price reasonable, without having a "custom" made kilt... but I know in some cases you get what you pay for and want to have a good experience with this, so should I go higher end/custom made work kilt?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts! You can view some of my engraving work at the links below. I can and have done custom belt buckles and engraved knives, my fine line details in metals have really come about over the past few years, so if you need a custom buckle for your kilt hit me up!
Thanks in advance!
M

[Terry1948]

exEOD6......
You might try connecting with Freedom Kilts (you mention they have been involved in the design of the tartan). I know they make all sorts of kilts -- when I was in their shop a year ago, I was admiring some photos on the wall of work kilts with lots of pockets (the archeologist stretched out on the ground digging up relics was just one).

[The Wizard of BC]

Perhaps a couple of pictures will say it better than any words I would post.

Here is the one that Terry1948 was referring to -





A paintball kilt.



A 100% Cotton fabric that can be used around fire.



A Ref at Roller Derby.

[Hawk]

Welcome to the XMTS Community....

I also suggest you look into Bobs work (Ratspike here on XMTS) at: http://www.gryphonworkshop.com
You might get more ideas of what's out there available.....from a fellow Vet.....


Hawk

[Dughlas mor]

Welcome, exEOD6
You are going to get a lot better advice than I could provide so I would just like to thank you for your [ongoing] service to our country.

Steve, those are great pics!

[ThistleDown]

Welcome to XMarks, M.

utkilts are inexpensive and tough. They are my choice for gardening, shop-work and the like. They have a superfluous belt&buckle set-up and I cut these off so they don't catch on some moving bit of machinery or shrubbery. Over the years I've had several and have treated them just as you would your jeans. In my wood shop I wear bibbed aprons (one has a leather panel from the waist down) with sectioned upper pockets; my design and construction over a Lee Valley smock. I've no need for cargo and other holders and I've always been more concerned with 'function' than with 'form'. I don't know Biltkilts, but can strongly recommend Freedom Kilts, although perhaps not for the tough wear you have in mind. The two I have I save for stand-up Summer parties. Well constructed, comfortable bespoke kilts. A tad expensive to risk in the shop.

[DyerStraits]

Welcome to XMarks, M.

utkilts are inexpensive and tough. They are my choice for gardening, shop-work and the like. They have a superfluous belt&buckle set-up and I cut these off so they don't catch on some moving bit of machinery or shrubbery. Over the years I've had several and have treated them just as you would your jeans. In my wood shop I wear bibbed aprons (one has a leather panel from the waist down) with sectioned upper pockets; my design and construction over a Lee Valley smock. I've no need for cargo and other holders and I've always been more concerned with 'function' than with 'form'. I don't know Biltkilts, but can strongly recommend Freedom Kilts, although perhaps not for the tough wear you have in mind. The two I have I save for stand-up Summer parties. Well constructed, comfortable bespoke kilts. A tad expensive to risk in the shop.

The second kilt I ever bought was a black deluxe model UTkilt:

(http://www.ebay.com/itm/UT-DELUXE-Bl...item27ec08f538)

and I love, Love, LOVE it. Thick (but not too thick), heavy (but not too heavy) hard-finish cotton twill ("tweel") material. Comfortable, practical, plenty of pockets--the ultimate casual/utility/weekend/sporting "beater" kilt. I wear it to football games, for tinkering in my bicycle workshop, playing golf, hiking, archery, running weekend errands, beer-hunting, etc. Mine has had a torn pocket seam or belt loop, but no worries about that--it has otherwise absolutely worn like iron. Very Good Value, Highly Recommended.

[Downunder Kilt]

I would give Jeannie at Alt Kilt a shout (Forum partner on top line of page) Have a browse thru her site, she specialises in box pleat and makes a mean kilt. I am sure she could incorperate your selected tartan in a rugged work kilt. Cheers and all the best with your project

[Tarheel]

Well met exEOD6. The posts before mine are the ticket for a working kilt. Consider also a good blacksmith's apron for the "blasting" days when you may have some errand to run and need to look (less worker bee and more proprietor) Here's an example from Gibbons of Sulfolk. There are others less costly that will protect your kilt and take the punishment of the sand-blasting. Welcome from another vet in Oxford, MS.

[GMan]

Glad to have you with us. You have already been given a great amount of information.