What do you think of this kilt pin?

[Meggers]

I found this on ebay for about $10 with only a $0.38 shipping fee. I am trying to find a nice kilt pin for when my Londonderry skirt arrives. It says it is around 4" long.

Even though it's an Irish tartan, I have both Irish and Scottish blood so I dont mind if my kilt pin is Scottish. I think the thistle ones are nice, and I do love the claymore (I have a soft spot for swords/historical war stuff). Some of the Irish ones, I am really not very fond of. I wouldnt mind finding a nice claddagh or a shamrock but the ones I have seen look a little bit cheap.

So...thoughts?

[piperdbh]

I think it looks like a lot of other claymore pins I've seen. This one just happens to be shiny.
There's no rule that says a kilt pin has to be "Scottish-" or "Irish-looking". A favorite brooch of your grandmother would make a perfectly good (and meaningful) kilt pin. However, since you've bought this one, it will work splendidly, too.

[creagdhubh]

Looks like this one may have been made by Art Pewter Scotland, Ltd. It appears to have the same styling of the sword as in their clan crest kilt pins. Looks good!

[Downunder Kilt]

May I suggest, if you haven't already done so, to have a look in the thread, Show Us Your Kilt Pins. You will find a very broad range of badges, pins, DIY's that people use for their kilt pins.

[creagdhubh]

May I suggest, if you haven't already done so, to have a look in the thread, Show Us Your Kilt Pins. You will find a very broad range of badges, pins, DIY's that peolpe use for their kilt pins.

I concur, great point!

[Stilletto_Rebel]

I echo DK's comment.

There are plenty of lovely and interesting things on ebay, such as this one.

I just typed in: sword brooch pin.

[AKScott]

Are you going to use a sporran of some kind?

I recognize the customs are a bit different from the lasses, but I have joined OCRichard in doing without kilt pins.

Kilt pins inevitably catch on "something", and then your (my) skirt gets at least a pulled thread, or possibly ripped, or even ruined.

Kilt pins are not strictly necessary if there is a sporran in use anyway.

I have nothing against the folks who use a sporran and wear a kilt pin. It is your kilt, have at it.

I understand wanting to use a kilt pin with no sporran, it helps, ahem, to maintain the mystery.

Pesonally I use a sporran. I have one pulled thread in one PV kilt. Neither of my wool kilts have ever been subjected to a pin. A kilt pin is of no functional help to me, and could lead to my kilt getting damaged again.

What you have pictured is an otherwise inoffensive option if you like it. It is perfectly OK to use any pin you like, though I would suggest about 30 grams or 1 ounce is about the upper limit for weight with 16 ounce cloth.

Cheers!

[Meggers]

Are you going to use a sporran of some kind?

I recognize the customs are a bit different from the lasses, but I have joined OCRichard in doing without kilt pins.

Kilt pins inevitably catch on "something", and then your (my) skirt gets at least a pulled thread, or possibly ripped, or even ruined.

Kilt pins are not strictly necessary if there is a sporran in use anyway.

I have nothing against the folks who use a sporran and wear a kilt pin. It is your kilt, have at it.

I understand wanting to use a kilt pin with no sporran, it helps, ahem, to maintain the mystery.

Pesonally I use a sporran. I have one pulled thread in one PV kilt. Neither of my wool kilts have ever been subjected to a pin. A kilt pin is of no functional help to me, and could lead to my kilt getting damaged again.

What you have pictured is an otherwise inoffensive option if you like it. It is perfectly OK to use any pin you like, though I would suggest about 30 grams or 1 ounce is about the upper limit for weight with 16 ounce cloth.

Cheers!

No, I wouldnt be using a sporran. I think they are a little too masculine for me.

Perhaps I will go without the pin too and just save my money for buying a brooch for when I order a sash.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I think the "oversized safety pin" style looks great on women's skirts, as well as men's kilts. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the pin you posted, it looks fine. But if you were looking for something a bit softer and less militant than a sword, I might recommend one of these.

A lot of sewing supply stores have them in both brass and silver tones, and they are usually only a few dollars!

If you want a really nice one, I found someone on Etsy selling them in sterling.

[seanachie]

Matt:
I have always been frightened that those pins would leave a very nice hole in my kilt and the primary reason I have avoided trying one, though I like the look.
Is my concern accurate or is does one usually use these pins one time and just leave it on the kilt?