5, 6, 7, 8, 9 yard traditional knife pleated kilts?

**Tobus** · 9th September 13, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by mookien

I own "8-yard" kilts in medium-weight (~ 13 oz.) and in heavy-weight (~15 - 16 oz.) tartan. The latter are noticeably heavier - "light tanks" vs. "heavy tanks".

Good point about the fabric weight. When the term "tank" was coined on this forum, I believe it only referred to a ~15-16 oz. wool tartan. Anything lighter than that would not be a tank, regardless of the yardage. At best, it would be a light armored kilt. IMHO, a "tank" must be 15-16 oz., and a "heavy tank" would be 18-20 oz. material.

**Spartan Tartan** · 9th September 13, 04:23 PM

Forgive me if I am missing something, but a traditionally made kilt does not have to be a tank. More to the point, Traditional does not equal tank--yet tank does imply traditional. Just my understanding, but I stand by to be corrected.

**mookien** · 9th September 13, 04:59 PM

I can't help too much here, except to point out that a "TANK" is defined in part as "traditional" for purposes of the XMTS forum at web page

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...q#faq_faq_abbr

under the heading, "X Marks Specific Acronyms & Kilt terms"

Note also that under this definition a "TANK" does not have to be made from heavy-weight wool. Ain't semantics fun!

**ForresterModern** · 9th September 13, 06:47 PM

My first kilt in Forrester Modern is only 13 oz Strathmore tartan but because of the combination of my measurements and the giant sett size my clan tartan has the kiltmaker actually used closer to 10 yards of material, so in it actually is similar in overall weight and in a couple instances heavier than my other classic 8 yard tanks which are nearly all 16oz material. And it wears every bit as hard as the heavyweights. so yes you can make a tank out of lighter weight tartan.

**frank_a** · 9th September 13, 06:59 PM

So what yer sayin here John, is if I pull this trigger, go for the heavy tank? Will it help my bad back?

This money is hard to come by. I just want to do my best to make the right decision.

Thanks!

Frank

**mookien** · 9th September 13, 07:09 PM

Jeff: Good to hear from you, again. I hope things are going well.

The tartan in one of my 8-yard, medium-weight kilts (Strathtummel) was also woven by Strathmore. It's heavy enough for me. Your 10-yard kilt probably does weigh about as much as my 8-yard heavy weights.

By the way, I have been meaning to tell you that you were right about Aberlour A'Bunadh. I like it even better than their 12- and 16-year old distillations. While it is cask strength, so that I put a little H2O in it, it still has the best flavor and finish of any sherry-finished malt that I have tasted, including the excellent Macallan 15 cask strength. Thanks, ... and slainte mhath!

John

**seanachie** · 9th September 13, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by frank_a

So what yer sayin here John, is if I pull this trigger, go for the heavy tank? Will it help my bad back?

This money is hard to come by. I just want to do my best to make the right decision.

Thanks!

Frank

Just to avoid confusion FOUR YARD does not mean casual. Do a search here and you will find plenty of info on box pleated kilts which are every bit traditional. In fact they pre dated knife pleats. I purchased my first box pleat because funds were tight, and now have a few and really like them. There are a couple of very traditional kilt makers on this board who sew 4 yard box pleat kilts and they are grand. Don't think you have to have an 8 yard kilt for appearances sake.

**mookien** · 9th September 13, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by frank_a

So what yer sayin here John, is if I pull this trigger, go for the heavy tank? Will it help my bad back?

This money is hard to come by. I just want to do my best to make the right decision. ...

Frank: If carrying a heavy-weight kilt on your hips is going to aggravate your back in any way, I would strongly suggest getting a lower-yardage wool kilt in medium or heavy weight. See seanachie's post (#17). I have 4-, 5-, and 6-yard wool kilts and they look/feel great. I would bet good money that nobody, except perhaps a kilt expert, could tell the difference without a closer examination.

On the other hand, if you are bound and determined to have an indisputable "tank" and the heavier weight won't bother you physically, then I suggest saving your coin and springing for a heavy-weight (at least 15 oz) tartan in an 8-yard kilt in your "most favorite" tartan. They have a certain look, feel, and swing that is hard to beat, especially to the wearer.

John

**Pleater** · 10th September 13, 01:51 AM

If you get an 8 yard kilt in 16 oz material, that is going to be about 4Lb of tartan, lining, reinforcement, straps and buckles in total.

Whilst the higher waist and reinforcement might act as a support and help your back there is no guarantee of that.

A 4 yard box pleated kilt in heavy tartan might be a safer introduction to kilting, and it is no less traditional - some might say it is more the archetypal kilt than the 8yard knife pleat.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**frank_a** · 10th September 13, 03:02 AM

Here's the thing folks. First of all, thanks for the weight figure Anne. I just don't think 4#s to be a problem. Secondly, my interest is in a kilt with more pleats than less. When I was at the Kirkin Saturday, the pipers were all in the same tartan, but one had many more narrower pleats in the back, and just looked smashing. Can I assume that was probably more an 8 yard kilt vs. a 4 or 5 yard kilt?

I think I can travel when I'm ready to pull the trigger and have a talk with the kilt maker. I will figure this out. Heavens knows, I have time to think!

Frank