Frugal Corner vs Stillwater

**GreenDragon** · 4th February 09, 12:48 PM

I was wondering if anyone here had a kilt from each of these sites. If so, how do they compare? I was thinking of getting a 13 OZ Black Stewart from Frugal Corner and was wondering how the SWK Standard compared.

Thanks.

**McNulty** · 4th February 09, 01:18 PM

Look up and read the threads about F.C. For a couple of extra bucks get the SWK standard. You'll be a happier camper. I have one of the 13oz F.C. and several SWK standards. By far a better product in the standard. And you'll probably have the Black Stewart at your door by the time you finish reading this post. Go ahead ...answer the door!
Nulty

**The Barry** · 4th February 09, 01:58 PM

SWK, all the way!

**pipesndrumsnun** · 4th February 09, 02:10 PM

The FC "16 oz" is VERY nice, but the 13 oz is probably more akin to SWK's old "economy" model (not that that's bad...just different!). ;)

I have an FC 13 and 16, as well as standard SWK and economy SWK; I don't have a "thrifty" SWK, but you can be pretty confident that anything you get from SWK is gonna be nice!

**O'Callaghan** · 4th February 09, 10:03 PM

I like my SWK Thrifty, and I've just ordered a 13 oz FC. No opinion on the latter yet, and it will take a while to get here.

**BroosterB1** · 4th February 09, 10:19 PM

I own what I believe is the same thing as the FC 16 oz. I bought mine out of Pakistan as a " sample", lets just say I didn't get the deal that you "should" on a sample. Anyway, when looking FC over and matching the color, make, buckels, et al, I am pretty sure the manufacturer is the same or so close as not to make a difference.

My point. The 16 oz FC is a good piece of work, and at the price they list a great value. I own SWK standards, and they are much lighter fabric, and seem to pill more that the 16oz. The 16 oz might not be the same as a 16 oz wool, but it is a "tank". Heavy, great swish, and warm. I would buy another from FC in a heartbeat. I have bought some hose and a sporran from FC and had no problem with service. Maybe not the lightspeed delivery of Jerry, but acceptable.

If you are looking for a good reliable low cost arcylic kilt, the FC 16 is not a bad deal. I dont know about their lighter weight kilts, and in realitity you could say I don't know about the FC 16. But I am pretty sure they are the same.

**Colin** · 5th February 09, 10:33 AM

I don't own either, but I would prefer to give my money to Jerry at Stillwater kilts. His reputation for customer service, quality, business practices, and delivery speed are above and beyond. When buying from Stillwater you know you are dealing with a top of the line guy and company.

**Tony** · 5th February 09, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by Colin

I don't own either, but I would prefer to give my money to Jerry at Stillwater kilts. His reputation for customer service, quality, business practices, and delivery speed are above and beyond. When buying from Stillwater you know you are dealing with a top of the line guy and company.

I'd agree... with a caveat.
Frugal Corner has a much wider range of tartans. If the SWK standard kilt is the level of kilt you are looking at, you should give FC a shufti too.

**O'Callaghan** · 5th February 09, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by Tony

I'd agree... with a caveat.
Frugal Corner has a much wider range of tartans. If the SWK standard kilt is the level of kilt you are looking at, you should give FC a shufti too.

That's the thing.

I can verify that SWK are astonishingly swift at delivering what you have ordered, not just compared with other kilt vendors, but compared with companies of any kind, and they have an extremely good reputation. OTOH, FC have had quite a few complaints here and there, although I received a follow-up e-mail about my order very quickly, which is to their credit, but until I receive the kilt I can't say anything definitive. They also do take longer to deliver, and make no secret of that.

Nevertheless, SWK has a very, very limited range, and FC offer far more choices. If you want something that FC has and SWK doesn't, then it would seem foolish to order something different instead. YMMV.

Neither is a kilt maker, and both import inexpensive kilts from Pakistan, but direct comparison is far from simple, as both offer more than one price range of kilt.

**Panache** · 6th February 09, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by O'Callaghan

...Nevertheless, SWK has a very, very limited range, and FC offer far more choices. If you want something that FC has and SWK doesn't, then it would seem foolish to order something different instead. YMMV.

Jerry V. at Stillwater follows a business model of only offering what he can deliver. The disadvantage is that his options are smaller and you can only buy what he can ship out right now.

But he is very good about letting people know when something is back in stock.

I have bought something like 11 kilts from him (not to mention a number of sporrans and other kit) and have always been a very satisfied customer. I recommend Stillwater to anyone without any reservations.

Cheers

Jamie