Stillwater 13 oz. 100% wool

[David in Maryland]

Well shoot, I wish I had waited before ordering my original SW Heavyweight in Blackwatch. If I knew they were going to come out with 100% wool for only $150, I would have waited.

[cavscout]

Any word on the wool Black Watch being as dark as the acrylic Black Watch? I'll probably hold out for another tartan but that was an issue for me that the tartan colors were sooooo dark on the acrylic.

[LordDamax]

I found out about the wool because I was about to order the acrylic and they didnt have it in my size, I emailed and asked and they said they were phasing out the acrylics, because wool was a better fabric for their top-o-the-line kilts, and that it should be in 'in a few days'. Well, it was, so I ordered one.

Cant comment on the darkness of the acrylic fabric, but I'll take some pics when mine arrives... if the USPS does their job it'll be here tomorrow. If they are true to form, it'll be lost in the mail and after a few insurance claims I'll have it in a few weeks ;)

[LordDamax]

Ok, it's here! It's awesome. I'll have to post pictures after my wife goes to bed... this was an under-the-radar purchase, and anyone who's read the kilt advice threads knows my wife is a bit nutso when it comes to her anti-kilt sentiments

The text review: (Keep in mind I post this having never owned, or even seen up close (where I could touch and inspect it), a wool tartan kilt)

It is great. Wonderfully heavy (so much so that I think this thing is gonna stay in the closet until fall... here in MD in this 92 degree 95% humidity weather, I'd DIE in this thing). Seems to my novice eye to be well made. I'm not TOO happy with the quality of the leather of the straps... it just feels cheap to me. The buckles seem chinsy too. But, I'm sure they are the same straps and buckles on all their other kilts, so if you own a SWK you already know what they are.

The wool itself is great. To be honest, I dont know the difference between wool and worsted wool (I saw a post here somewhere saying it did not say worsted wool, and it was said like that was a bad thing), but it's definately woven (and not some kinda print) and it has that scratchy, itchy feel of real wool. It is lined on the inside to keep the bits n pieces from getting itchy

The pleats could be lined up a bit better, some pleats near the bottom seem to be slightly sloppily pressed down (the lines arent straight, they wobble a bit) but I dont think it'd be noticeable under anything but close inspection.

The apron is the entire front of the kilt, and from what I understand thats how all SWK's are. Personally I like a smaller apron, but, looks ok.

The color is... well... since the only thing I have to compare it to is black watch cotton prints and the like I've seen on comforters, scarves, etc, this may not be the best comparison, but the green seems bright and the right color, while the blue seems VERY dark. In anything but bright lighting I'd imagine it'd be hard to see the blue against the black.

I wear a 44" waist, I ordered a 44" waist, and it fits PERFECTLY. The craftsmanship seems excellent, but, like I said, this is my first "real" kilt (I own an original UK, and an original AmeriKilt, with a workmans UK on order).

Like I said, this is NOT summer wear as far as I am concerned (I sweat horrendously in any kinda heat) and just trying it on for a few minutes I knew this was gonna be hot

A little later on I'll take a whole herd of pictures, inside and out, worn and on the hanger/spread out. (I promise, no worn and inside pictures ;)

Any specific questions in the meantime?

[GMan]

ssshhhh......I say a quiet congratulations on your kilt!

[LordDamax]

Okelelydokelely.

Got my gallery program revved back up and put up a webpage. It's got a bunch of pics on it, 2 of which are older of me in my AK... the other 10 are of the SWK wool. Captions on the pics are self explanatory.

Please let me know if anyone has any issues with the site. The 'comments' part I just added and may be buggy.

SWK 100% wool Black Watch Kilt pics

[Blu (Ontario)]

... I'll have to post pictures after my wife goes to bed... this was an under-the-radar purchase, and anyone who's read the kilt advice threads knows my wife is a bit nutso when it comes to her anti-kilt sentiments...

There's nothing wrong with being a member of Clan Destine! I was a member myself for a short while... it's certainly nothing to be ashamed of!

Clan Destine
A very secretive but quite large clan of dubious beginnings. Although the membership roles are secret, it's members are believed to be very persistant in the face of adversity. The clan has a tartan but it is secret. For that reason , clan members are permitted to wear any tartan, color or style they can procure without detection. The clan crest is the traditional belt surrounding a cloak and dagger with the motto "Kiltus incognitus"!


blu

[cavscout]

That kilt looks pretty darn good! I never saw the acrylic Black Watch but reports were that it was very dark. This appears to be more inline with what you want.

Are the wobbely lines at the bottom sewn in or is that an ironed in pleat?

I'm in the same boat with my wife. She's tolerant right now but when I tell her I need to spend $50.00 on a sporran it may just push her over the edge. Let alone when Stiullwater comes out with this wool in more tartans (Fraser Hunting ;-) ;-) nudge nudge). Then there is the FK nad PK I need to get I see a bit of stress in her life coming

I think you got yourself a good kilt there. I bet you could easily find some nicer leather and buckles to swap the existing straps with if they prove inadequate. But I've not read any reviews saying the leather and buckles ever failed on a Stillwater.

Great purchase!!

[LordDamax]

What exactly do you mean by 'wobbly lines at the bottom'? Which pic? Not sure exactly what you mean and I don't want to answer wrong because I'm not sure.

As for the straps and buckles... the leather on the straps is kinda thin, and 'natural' on the back... that torn/shredded/raw look. I'm sure they'll be fine but it just seems a bit thin to me, but then again I like nice fat leather belts.

The buckles seem like that... heck I dont even know what to call it. Like a cheap metal alloy was poured into a mold then popped out and chromed. The kinda cheap metal where if you grabbed both ends of the buckle with a pair of pliers and twisted, the metal wouldnt bend, but instead snap and break with a rough jagged edge. I don't know a better way to explain it... you'd know the metal if you saw it.

As far as looks, the buckels look pretty good, and the straps look, well, like leather straps. So it's alright, not a huge deal.

The kilt feels awesome to wear though. Nice, heavy and solid.