Little holes in my UK Kilts? Silence on the UK Board

[The Wizard of BC]

I will not make comments about the wonders of the modern Sweat Shop Mass Production.
I will not make comments about the wonders of the modern Sweat Shop Mass Production.
I will not make comments about the wonders of the modern Sweat Shop Mass Production.
I will not make comments about the wonders of the modern Sweat Shop Mass Production.
I will not make comments about the wonders of the modern Sweat Shop Mass Production.
I will not make comments about the wonders of the modern Sweat Shop Mass Production.

[Kilts_Knave]

... old Devil Dogs ...

I believe the correct term for us is "Old Salts..." :-D And I have done that already in a couple of my posts! That's why you see many of mine deleted.

[Dreadbelly]

I will not make comments about the wonders of the modern Sweat Shop Mass Production.
I will not make comments about the wonders of the modern Sweat Shop Mass Production.
I will not make comments about the wonders of the modern Sweat Shop Mass Production.
I will not make comments about the wonders of the modern Sweat Shop Mass Production.
I will not make comments about the wonders of the modern Sweat Shop Mass Production.
I will not make comments about the wonders of the modern Sweat Shop Mass Production.

You had better not do it. Last time I did it, I had a bunch of people on this board coming after me with pitchforks and torches... Run you fool!

[bubba]

The problem with Fray Check and other brands of fray stop is it washes out. It's intended for use during garment construction, not a permanent fix. It'll hold through one washing at best. There are other fabric adhesives that dry clear that don't wash out but you'll want to apply them very carefully so they just cover the edges of the holes.

[arrogcow]

Let the ranting begin:

First, Ron, I'm truely sorry that you don't like Utilikilts. Please stop buying them. For nearly a year now I have seen you constantly complain about every UK you have (it took too long to get, the snap was wrong, they charged me "before" it was made, they sent the wrong color (ever though that was what you ordered and didn't double check your order) and now you've got holes)

I have nine UK's (ok 8 I just sold one to SAV). I have never waited more than 5 weeks for one, never had a bad snap, everyone charges before it is made (Bear is aparently taking a year to fullfill orders that are paid for if you believe other posts on this forum), and I don't have any of these "holes" in any of my UK's. Heck, they even made you Utilikiltarian of the month and gave you a free one (I've never been UKer of the month, and Lord knows that they have enough pictures of me).

Apparently your karma prevents you from having a positive experience with the Seattle folk, so give up.


Second, Steve, your coment, "I will not make comments about the wonders of the modern Sweat Shop Mass Production," is a comment. A sweat shop is a third world (or illegal imegrant) shop where people work for like $0.50 a day. UK uses professional sewing companies that pay a living wage. Are UK's mass produced instead of hand made? Yes, deal with it. Your statements are libelous.

Now before everyone starts shaking their heads, saying, "loyal UK suporter," let me state that I own a Thomas Gordan Tank, a Stillwater kilt, and a PK in addition to my UK's. All are fantastic garments. I am going to be buying another PK real soon, and have been seriously considering either an RKilt or one of Steve's Freedom kilts as well.

But what really grippes me is the fact that the mutual praise fest that most of the kilt makers here have (Jeff has said great things about Steve who has said great things about Rocky who has said great things about...) totally ignores UK (and Amerikilt for that matter). Without UK, NONE of the casual kilt makers would be in business. Before UK the only non-traditional kilts available were 21st Century kilts, and they still cost as much as a traditional that it really wasn't possible to have 3-10 in a wardrobe to wear all the time. Steve at UK had an idea, and it has spawned a huge movement in Men's clothing.

I have no problems with not liking the UK style. One of the reasons I bought my first PK was because Jeff's attitude of, "UK's are great, but I do something a little different." And his kilt fits a niche in my wardrobe that UK doesn't.

Yes, UK does alot of mass produced business, and quality control could probably be better (I do believe your stories Ron, just amazed that they all happen to you while no one else ever complains). But taking pot shots at the big dog is BS. There are many guys that first start wearing UK's then end up with others. Frankly most of you kilt makers here owe your business to UK. Be positive in all your coments and celebrate your different styles.

Adam

[bubba]

Well, I don't see talking about problems as taking potshots. Maybe UK did get the ball rolling but that doesn't give them immunity if they're screwing something up. Lets just hope they FIX the problems. One of the purposes of this board is to talk about this stuff.

[arrogcow]

By "pot shots" I meant Steve "not" saying that UK's are made in sweat shops.

Ron's comments are legit, though I have said that I questioned them, because he seems to be the only person who has something wrong with every single UK he has.

Adam

[bubba]

By "pot shots" I meant Steve "not" saying that UK's are made in sweat shops.
Adam

Ok, I can buy that. Mass production doesn't neccesarily mean sweatshop

[Canuck]

Yes we can acknowledge UK and AK for getting the ball rolling on Contemporary kilts ...Bravo.
However for the same money as a UK workmans and in some cases the same wait time, some of us independent kilt makers can offer a tailor made kilt that is built to last a long time. I'm also able to offer a tailor made leather kilt, with the current exchange rate about a $100 cheaper than a UK.
But given the last few weeks with the heat I will admit to the sweatshop. It's been tough staying cool! Given that I am my own marketer, designer, cutter, buyer, seamstress, shipper etc. I set up my own booth at fairs and sell the product, tear down in the pouring rain with water above my blunnies (that was last weekend) Drive home and catch a few hours sleep and sew for 14 hours the next few days and try and fill the orders. then start all over the next weekend.
Then I don't have to produce 4 kilts an hour 6 days a week ...I'll let the big guys do that.
I sure am having fun though... I really am. Each kilt is unique to the person I'm building for and to have that personal contact with the customer is awesome...Especially when they let you know it fits like a kilt was meant to... Oh I have made a couple of mistakes but I was able to fix them without too much inconvience to the customer.
Yeah and meeting with other kiltmakers is a blast too. 'cause we see the details that each one puts into their work. Artisans with fabric. Oh and if you talk to us independently we will tell you the differences between our kilts what features are better the way we build them and the fact that we build them, not someone else who works for us or whom we contracted out to.
Ron thanks for your keen eye on the flashes didn't even click that I needed a left and a rught for the leather triple flashes. Ya learn something everyday.
Cheers
Robert

[arrogcow]

RKilt black or brown leather $750 (Canadian) + 7% sales tax is $802.50 (C) using the conversion rate on RKilts' web site that means a leather is $664.71, or $35 (US) cheaper than a UK leather (I don't know if there are import duties from Canada). The Denim/twill kilt is $250 (C) or $267.50 with tax, making it $221.57 (US) or $36 more (US) that the UK workman's (which is the most comparable UK). Before someone jumps on it, no sales tax if bought over the internet and one does not live in Washington state.

Custom sizing? You only ask a waist and length just like UK which implies that they come as standard patterns, not that you are doing custom work for each waist/hip differential. You do ask what size people want the side pocket pouches they want and that is custom work, cool. Is your denim really going to last longer than my duc cloth workmans? Really? I have one that is nearly 4 years old, that I do carpentry in and it still holds up really well. Anything more bullit proof would have to be Kevlar or something.

I'm not trying to knock you. I want an RKilt, I really do. I have always wanted a UK workman's in denim, but they do that. No only do you do it, but I actually like the look of yours better, I just haven't convinced myself that I like it $36 (plus what ever import duties are) better. Now for that price, if you offered it flannel lined like Jeff at PK, I would buy it tomorrow.

I'm sorry for picking on you (but you did jump in with the, "I'm cheaper, but provide better service" thing. Additionally, I suspect that with your lower overhead (I.E. not paying dozens of employees) you probably make more profit per kilt). You have (to the best of my knowledge) not jumped on the let's insult UK bus. Other kiltmakers have, and that was what I was trying to address in my first post.

I guess what I'm saying is, kiltmakers market your own products unique features, don't try to play the "I'm better than whoever" game.