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[Freedomlover]

There appears to be some difference of opinion regarding taper. Are your kilts tapered 10% or not? This is a "YES" or "NO" question. Any other answer will be understood for what it is.

[creativeaccents]

The honorable representative from NC would seem more than a little terse. In Georgia we prefer to address others with respect and consideration.

If Mr Kidder states that he puts 10 degrees of taper into his kilts, then based upon what I know thus far of the gentleman, I would think that he has ten degrees of taper.

[Chef]

OK, I just did a fairly decent test (I think) with the two off the rack kilts I own.

Buzz Kidder Blackwatch 36" waist and I used a Stillwater Royal Stewart Standard 36" waist for comparison purposes.

The Stillwater is hemmed to 23" the Buzz Kidder to 22".

I checked two ways. First test was to put each kilt's left hip buckle through its hole completely so that the kilt was at its smallest size. Then I laid the both kilts on the floor making sure all the pleats were flat.

Next I folded the outside apron back from the edge so that the measurement across was of the size of the kilt and not the edge of the outside apron.

The SW and the BK have two different rises and the BK sits about 1" lower than the SW so I took the BK waist measurement at the top of the kilt and the SW waist measurement 1" below the top of the kilt so I was taking the measurements where the kilts hit the same place on my waist. The second measurement was taken 7" below the first, that is the hip measurement.


The results


BK measurements:

• Waist 18" across
• Hip 18 7/8" across
• Difference 4.9% difference

SW Measurements

• Waist 18 1/8" across
• Hip 20 1/4" across
• Difference 11.7% difference

Second test was done to check the accuracy of the first. When you open up a kilt and lay it completely flat, the top of the kilt forms a curve. The greater the curve the greater the taper of the kilt. Knowing the curve it would be possible to figure out the taper but all I measured was the curves offset. With the kilt laid out, I put a straight edge between the the two ends of the top of the kilt. Then I measured from the middle of the waistband to the straight line.

Results:

BK 2 1/8" from waistband to straight edge.

SW 4 1/2" from waistband to straight edge.

While this isn't enough info to work out the taper of the kilt, the offset shows that the taper of the SW is approximately twice that of the BK. This confirms the previous measurements.

It is likely that my test is not 100% accurate I am just as convinced that my figures are not 100% off which is what they would need to be to find a 10% taper from the waist to the hip.

Again, I don't think the BK is a bad garment, it has many good qualities. It just doesn't have enough taper, IMHO for most people and certainly not for me. The way they get around this is by shortening the sewn fell. The BK only has a 4" sewn fell compared to the 8 1/2" sewn fell on the SW. The shorter fell allow the pleats to open up to accommodate the hips.

I wore the BK at the Celtic Fest in Bethlehem PA in September and Rocky had a look. I think he will confirm my findings just from his trained observances.

[Freedomlover]

The honorable representative from NC would seem more than a little terse. In Georgia we prefer to address others with respect and consideration.

If Mr Kidder states that he puts 10 degrees of taper into his kilts, then based upon what I know thus far of the gentleman, I would think that he has ten degrees of taper.

Terse? Perhaps, but let us remember that considerable money is involved in any kilt purchase, and it is not at all unreasonable to inquire, in direct terms, as to the particulars. I have no reason whatsoever to doubt Mr. Kidders claim beyond the somewhat unsure comments I have read here. Hence my direct question, and there is nothing at all aimed at badmouthing the Kidder product which I would have thought was obvious because I have very recently indicated an interest in purchasing from him.

Perhaps the honorable gentleman from Georgia might consider it possible that someone from North Carolina might actually have honorable intentions by way of direct comment, and not assume a nasty intent thinly veiled in polite Southern language.

[Ian.MacAllan]

Is there any possibility that either the Gentleman from North Carolina or the Gentleman from Georgia might consider that a high horse may not be the most advantageous mount for a Gentleman who wishes to be considered credible?

Surely both Gentlemen understand that a 10% taper can equal a 10 degree taper only under rather unusual circumstances.


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[cavscout]

A man in a kilt on a high horse may not be good for anyone around

[creativeaccents]

Not quite sure what this is supposed to mean, but if you refer to my post (number 8) you can see that I had already answered based upon what I knew and based upon Mr. Kidder's statements about the kilts he makes. For this, I then was presented with " Are your kilts tapered 10% or not? This is a "YES" or "NO" question. Any other answer will be understood for what it is."

There are many different styles, sizes, materials, cuts, points of origin, price ranges and far more that enter into one's preferences. In my experience, there are a sizable number of people who have been totally thrilled with their Kidder Kilts...and for a host of very sound reasons based upon material, looks, and the quality of construction.

Personally, I think this particular horse has been ridden into the ground.

[Ian.MacAllan]

. . . Personally, I think this particular horse has been ridden into the ground.

Dismounting should then offer no challenge.


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[turpin]

Dismounting should then offer no challenge.


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Oh I just LOVE a good, spirited (not necessarily good-spirited) round of repartee. I'd love to see this thread closed on a high and funny note.

Separately, I am impressed with Chef's clever comparison of the taper in SWK v. BK kilts.

[Chef]

Separately, I am impressed with Chef's clever comparison of the taper in SWK v. BK kilts.

Thank you. It seemed the only way to come up with an answer.