6-yard 13oz versus 5-yard 16oz...

**CDNSushi** · 27th January 09, 12:05 AM

I did a search for this, but I couldn't seem to find a satisfactory answer -- at least not one that's specific enough for what I'm after. Most of the weight/yardage comparison threads are quite extreme (e.g. 4 vs. 8 yard) etc... This seems to be a bit more subtle of a difference.

I'm looking at a new wool kilt (because right now the Japanese yen is so bloody strong I'm gonna take advantage of it AND the fact that I'm saving at least $600 by not going to the Burns supper in Tokyo... LOL!)... But I can't decide whether it's better to get a 5-yard 16 oz kilt or a 6-yard 13 oz kilt... Both are knife-pleated as far as I know, both made in Scotland but from different companies. (Don't know which mill the fabrics are from -- I'd have to phone or send a mail)...

If the price were roughly the same for either one, which would you choose and why? Now, let me ask a slightly alternate follow-up question. What if the 13oz were £21 cheaper....?

I honestly don't know. None of my kilts at the moment are real wool -- I have a SWK standard, a KM deluxe, a Pakistani acrylic wool heavy weight and a UK.

Please & thank you!

**RockyR** · 27th January 09, 06:29 AM

If the 13 oz were a tartan that would look good pleated to the stripe and the sett size wasn't TOO big, I'd pick that one in the 6 yard. The kilt maker would have the option to pleat it to stripe or to 'the best pattern they can' where on the 16 oz 5 yarder, the kiltmaker will HAVE to pleat it 'to the best pattern they can'.

**Wompet** · 27th January 09, 03:18 PM

Having made a couple of 6 yard kilts, I'll second Rocky's advice.

**The Barry** · 27th January 09, 05:36 PM

I agree with what has been said thus far..

However, if you don't own a real wool kilt (especially a hand-sewn), you really owe it to yourself to have (at least one) 8 yard monster done in 16oz. The extra money will be worth it, especially if you're playing the exchange rate game, as I often do.

My theory goes like this, if you have an exchange rate window that is favorable, then get the 16oz 8 yarder, you'll never find it cheaper.

**CDNSushi** · 27th January 09, 06:28 PM

16 oz monster. Lol! I love it. Well, the thing is -- my wife gave me permission to spend a certain amount of moolah only -- AND she gave me permission to buy a new kilt. Period. That's enough to get me dancing in the streets at this point -- 16 oz monster or not! When I do get my hand-sewn tank, it'll be a custom order in a very specific tartan -- I've already priced it out and I'll be looking at roughly $700. That's something I can't do at the moment. But, I CAN still get something nice! :-)

Once I get my order in, I'll post up my "jonesing" thread just like everyone else. hehehe

**Alan H** · 27th January 09, 06:32 PM

I happen to be quite fond of "six yard kilts" and have several of them. They cost significantly less than an eight yard and re less work to stitch up if you're doing it yourself. yet they still have a satisfying number of pleats, whereas sometimes a 5 yard can seem a bit skimpy on pleats. On the average, a six yard kilt will have four to eight more pleats than a five-yards (depends on the sett size) and that makes a significant difference, to my eyes.

**Carolina Kiltman** · 27th January 09, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by Alan H

I happen to be quite fond of "six yard kilts" and have several of them. They cost significantly less than an eight yard and re less work to stitch up if you're doing it yourself. yet they still have a satisfying number of pleats, whereas sometimes a 5 yard can seem a bit skimpy on pleats. On the average, a six yard kilt will have four to eight more pleats than a five-yards (depends on the sett size) and that makes a significant difference, to my eyes.

My opinion exactly! The extra yardage will look better, even though the fabric weight is somewhat less, 13oz is still enough to give a nice "swish"

**wyldathart** · 12th March 09, 04:00 PM

I'm glad I saw this thread. I just purchased a 8 yrd 13oz. Kilt made by Balmoral. I really wanted the 16oz but it was just slightly outside my price range. I was really worried that I would not be satisfied with the 13oz fabric, but now that I've read this thread, I'm not so worried anymore. How does the 13 oz compare with the 16oz.?

**ChattanCat** · 12th March 09, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by wyldathart

I'm glad I saw this thread. I just purchased a 8 yrd 13oz. Kilt made by Balmoral. I really wanted the 16oz but it was just slightly outside my price range. I was really worried that I would not be satisfied with the 13oz fabric, but now that I've read this thread, I'm not so worried anymore. How does the 13 oz compare with the 16oz.?

I honestly can't tell the difference between a 13 oz hand sewn kilt and a 16 oz hand sewn, except the weight is 3.3 lbs vs. 4 lbs. If you can't do the 16, go for the 13, but don't do 10 oz. Of course it MUST be WOOL!

**wyldathart** · 12th March 09, 05:09 PM

Oh of course I'm going for wool. and I know from reading that the 10oz was kinda a nono when it comes to kilts. The Kilt in question I've ordered through scotweb and made by Balmoral so I'm confident that it'll be a nice product. I'm all ready Jonesing lol