Any experience with...

**Panache** · 20th April 06, 07:48 PM

Scottish Chi,

I promised a Stillwater review here it is.

I ordered online at about 3:00 PM PST the Saturday before Easter, I recieved confirmation of my payment and that the order had been packed by 10 AM PST the Monday after Easter, and at 3:00 PM PST Wednesday afternoon a big package arrived from Stillwater. So far Stillwater Kilts gets 10 out of 10 points for amazing speed of delivery.

(A side Note: My basis for comparison is my Utilikilt Mocker and my Economy Black Watch Kilt from the Celtic Croft. My wife felt the Economy Celtic Croft Kilt was too light, too "costume like". Before, I disagreed with her, but after wearing the Stillwater Kilts I think she had a point. )

My Black heavyweight "Shadow Tartan" kilt is heavy, with thick leather straps, and two loops in back for my sporran belt. It is well made and makes me finally understand the "tank" references for heavy kilts that are used on this board. I think it looks great and makes me feel like a million bucks when I wear it.

I was really surprised at the Stillwater "Standard" Hunting McCleod. This was something of an impulse buy for me. My wife is a Seward, a member of the clan McCleod. I have to admit to not being overly fond of the "Loud McCleod" yellow tartan. When I saw the "Hunting McCleod" standard I thought "Well why not". I felt I could justify the tartan as a way of honoring my beloved wife. You know that Rocky recently posted that PVC nowdays was very different from the leisure suits of yore, and he was right! It may not have been true wool but I had a hard time telling the difference in looks or feel between it and wool (though wool heavyweight is indeed heavier and has a better "swish" ). The "Standard" also features heavy straps and buckles and two sporran belt loops in the back of the kilt.

I feel that both kilts represent EXCELLENT value for the money. I wrote in my review of my Black Watch Celtic Croft Economy Kilt that I wouldn't buy another Economy kilt from them. I am very much looking forward to Stillwater kilts getting some Royal Stewart Standard kilts in stock. Not only would I buy again, I'm ready to buy again!

By the by, I ordered the black braided sporran and was very pleased with the quality I recieved for a $35 investment.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So here are a few of my Stillwater Kilts.

Standard Hunting McCleod with a T shirt and my new braided sporran (not my normal look)

Standard Hunting McCleod with collarless dress shirt (much more the real me)

Heavyweight Black "Shadow Tartan" Kilt with dress shirt (that's me)

I should note that exactly as advertised, in certain lights you can see a pattern to the "Shadow Tartan". I HIGHLY recommend Stillwater's kilts. Among my list of things to do this week now includes writing a big thank you letter to Stillwater kilts.

Hope this helps

Cheers

**Big Dave** · 20th April 06, 08:10 PM

Great pics Panache.

**LoftGuy** · 20th April 06, 08:24 PM

Panache,

Great pics and well done review; thanks very much.

Bob

**Scottish Chi** · 21st April 06, 04:00 AM

Panache, Great review and pictures! I understand the Black as well as the Saffron heavyweights are a little lighter than the Black Watch but you are obviously pleased with the weight and feel. The blue shirt looks great with the black kilt.

I am curious to know the number of pleats used since this is supposed to be a 7-8 yd kilt. Since it has a pattern, "Shadow Tartan", has it been pleated to the sett? At the price I wouldn't expect it but if it is then I would be even more impressed. Also is it a proper weave like a twill or more like an oxford cloth. (Sorry not sure of the proper weave terms.)

Cheers, Bill

**Jerry** · 21st April 06, 05:07 AM

quote:

Scottish Chi,

I promised a Stillwater review here it is.

I ordered online at about 3:00 PM PST the Saturday before Easter, I recieved confirmation of my payment and that the order had been packed by 10 AM PST the Monday after Easter, and at 3:00 PM PST Wednesday afternoon a big package arrived from Stillwater. So far Stillwater Kilts gets 10 out of 10 points for amazing speed of delivery.

Some of us finally figured it out. When the original Enterprise was scrapped, The transporter was purchased by a certain kilt company. Jerry just puts the kits in those USPS boxes with the postage on them to keep the other kiltmakers in the dark about his shipping (Beaming) advantage.

"Beam another kilt to Amelia county Va, Scotty"

**Panache** · 21st April 06, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by Scottish Chi

Panache, Great review and pictures! I understand the Black as well as the Saffron heavyweights are a little lighter than the Black Watch but you are obviously pleased with the weight and feel. The blue shirt looks great with the black kilt.

I am curious to know the number of pleats used since this is supposed to be a 7-8 yd kilt. Since it has a pattern, "Shadow Tartan", has it been pleated to the sett? At the price I wouldn't expect it but if it is then I would be even more impressed. Also is it a proper weave like a twill or more like an oxford cloth. (Sorry not sure of the proper weave terms.)

Cheers, Bill

Glad the review was of help.

The kilt has 29 pleats (it is a 36" waist).

If I understand the term "pleated to sett" correctly it means that the of the tartan is pleated such that the patern looks the same in the pleated rear as it does in the front apron. My wife says yes it is. I have to trust her because her eyesight is better than mine and the "Shadow Tartan" is pretty subtle in most light.

Sadly I'm not qualified to answer your weave related questions. I'm not well versed in fabrics and sewing. It is sturdy wool cloth.

Hope this is of help.

Cheers

billmcc · 22nd April 06, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by Panache

When I saw the "Hunting McCleod" standard I thought "Well why not". I felt I could justify the tartan as a way of honoring my beloved wife. You know that Rocky recently posted that PVC nowdays was very different from the leisure suits of yore, and he was right!

I don't want to be rude, but this statement needs to be corrected to prevent confusion. Rocky stated that PV (poly-viscose) nowdays was very different from the leisure suits of yore, not PVC. PVC is very different from PV. Also, Stillwater standard kilts are made of Acrylic, which is not the same as PV.

Otherwise, your review was very informative. Thank you, Panache.

**Panache** · 22nd April 06, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by billmcc

I don't want to be rude, but this statement needs to be corrected to prevent confusion. Rocky stated that PV (poly-viscose) nowdays was very different from the leisure suits of yore, not PVC. PVC is very different from PV. Also, Stillwater standard kilts are made of Acrylic, which is not the same as PV.

OOPS! No offense taken. Thanks for setting the record straight billmcc

**Scottish Chi** · 23rd April 06, 04:34 AM

Well, the information and the great reviews put me over the top. Enough waiting. I placed my order for the Saffron heavyweight SWK. At the same time I also ordered a Buzz Kidder Ribbed Sporran in brown. Almost immediately received an email confirming the purchase. Then 30 minutes later another email letting me know the order was processed and will soon be boxed and shipped. That was Friday so I should see everything in another couple of days. That's fast! I'm impressed.

Once it's in I'll attempt a review. This was to be for our camping trip this summer to Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. If it passes with high enough marks and it is still available I may have to get the Black heavyweight as well. My wife has again said I should start wearing them more often. Nice to have the encouragement so I won't have to justify the handmade 16oz 8yd tank I am planning on in the future. Still have to learn more and see a few of those before making that jump.

Cheers! Bill