Accessory Quality, StillWater Kilts

[Mathew MacKillop]

Greetings All,

After reading horror stories here about people damaging their kilts because of low-quality sporrans and sporran chains/straps, I was wondering if anyone had direct experience of this with items from Stillwater Kilts. They have some very inexpensive options, and as they say "you get what you pay for", but what, I wonder, does one get for those prices? Will I need to file down sharp edges on chains/buckles? Do the items (belts, sporrans, etc.) look acceptable or is it noticeable that they are of the "economy" variety? There are many happy customers with regards to their kilts, but I can find no direct commentary on their other items.

Thanks Everyone!

[Panache]

Mathew,

I have a number of items from Stillwater Kilts including 4 heavyweight kilts (their new design is really quite nice), belts, sporrans, flashes, and hose (not to mention their wonderful leather kilt jackets!).

I personally would not purchase the very basic $15 sporran they offer (which as I recall Jerry over at Stillwater is pretty upfront in noting that it is a very inexpensive starter piece), but aside from that I have been very pleased with the products I have purchased over the years.

The nice thing about Stillwater is that Jerry is pretty good about customer communications so if you have a question just email him.


Cheers

Jamie

[Geoff Withnell]

At SWK, the accessories are good buys. I have a number of buckles, etc, from Jerry. No "horror stories", just good, economy accessories. You get what you pay for. And Jerry is excellent at customer service if there is an issue.

[brewerpaul]

In the realms of kilt protection you can have a 5 dollar chain or a 25 dollar chain and it will still grab kilt threads. I have a Stillwater brown leather day sporran that I use often with a belt. You can get a sporran strap, which is like a belt, or find a 1 inch belt with small buckle in a larger than you size so it hangs right. Regardless of which you wont mess up your kilt due to chain straps.

[Father Bill]

Aye. Straps over chains every time. Be sure that the leather finishing is good so it doesn't leave stains on your kilt.

[GlockASP]

I have one of the starter sporrans from SWK. I love it. It is built well and looks good.

BUT....It is very stiff and did cause piling on the apron of my kilt and the chains were a bit rough. For the price, you are getting a decent item. I am planing on getting several more for my two boys in the near future.

I did replace the chains with ones from a hobby store that sells jewelry making supplies. This was done for two reasons, 1) I'm a big guy and the supplied ones were just too tight for me and 2) I wanted them to look a little better then the supplied ones. On the back of the sporran I rounded the very back edge of the leather and attached some black felt.

I also have one of there belts and belt buckles. Nice quality for the price and again am going to be getting several more of them for my boys very soon.

I have been a repeat customer with StillWater Kilts (kilts, belts, sporrans, flashes, and hose.)and will continue to be in the future.

[Taskr]

Other threads of similar concern prompted me to turn the 'open end' of the chain clip toward the sporran vice the apron on my 'economy' first sporran. The rest of the chain and clip is finished smoothly and didn't concern me. For the price of that first sporran to replace the clips with something else would still have provided good value. (that first sporran in now on the list for a DIY upgrade)

[Hopper250]

The $15 dollar sporran is what it is. The back isn't wrapped and can cause pilling of the fabric. I would say buy the nightstalker nylon cargo sporran instead. Its great for everyday wear and has pockets for lots of little things that normally pile up at the bottom.

[Riverkilt]

Have used the leather Stillwater Nightstalker sporrans in black and brown with leather sporran straps for years. Still my go to casual sporrans.

[Blupiper]

My first sporran was one of their inexpensive black ones, with the three tassels. I had not problems with it, but I also had replaced the chain strap with a leather one. The only quibble I had was a small one. The tassels were short and stiff and made an audible slapping sound when I walked. It was, like I said, a small quibble. I have since traded up to a hunting sporran and a silent stride. The Stillwater sporran was better quality than the price would lead one to expect and plenty roomy.

JMB