Frugal Corner

[James MacMillan]

Above a Thrifty, but below a Standard.

Are you saying that this kilt is comparable to a standard?

[Casper]

A SWK Standard is less thatn 16oz, but heavier than a 13oz. The SWK Thrifty is lighter than a 13oz (more like 10-11oz).

[Larry124]

I find the FC 13 oz to be in between the SWK Economy and Standard.
The SWKs have much better buckles and a more predictable fit but the FC pleats are deeper than either of the SWKs.

[Ozman1944]

SWK does have better straps & buckles, I've noticed though on the Apron of my FC's the stitching goes somewhat diagonally-if you look real close. SWK goes vertical. (I enjoy both my FC and my SWK, just thought I'd make an observation). Nice to see FC is still on the upswing. Will be ordering from them again in the New year.

[Coemgen]

I've found my FCs to be of good quality for the price, which is quite inexpensive. Their customer service, however, would appear to be lacking, as many have testified, and their shipping times to seem particularly spectacular. They do, however, appear to be growing out of this phase, slowly but surely.

In terms of weight, the FC 13 oz is lightest, followed by the SWK Standard, then the FC 16 oz, then the SWK Wool Heavyweight.

[Captain Karrot]

Are you saying that this kilt is comparable to a standard?

I was going to answer, but others here beat me to it, and in very good detail. As said, it is not equivalent to the SWK standard, but is slightly below that. It is definitely better than the SWK Thrifty. Again, my biggest complaint is the quality of the buckles and straps. The biggest thing I have to say after hearing everyone's complaints of the customer service and delivery, I wanted to let everyone know that it isn't all bad.

Yes, it may have been off the rack - they were a special, so I anticipate it being kilts that they had a large supply of - trying to reduce inventory.

And, again...pics to come soon!

[ChromeScholar]

If the FC Straps are too cheap, you can always order a 3 pack of straps from SWK and change them out.

[Casper]

I didn't notice a difference between the straps on my FC 16oz and my SWK Standard.

Not only that, but many rumors, and threads on here, have them sourced from the same company in Pakistan. Once thread even pointed out that FC inadvertantly sent out a kilt with a SWK label on the inside (which apparently came that way from the manufacturer).

Essentially, from what my understanding is, the SWK Thrifty is the lightest and cheapest of the lot. The FC 13oz and SWK Economy are essentially the same, and the SWK Standard and FC 16oz are essentially the same.

Really, the difference seems to come in that SWK assigns names to the ranges to make it simple, and avoid the flak that FC takes for the 'weight' of their material (having a '16oz' Acrylic, and a 16oz wool, I can tell you that the Lochcarron wool is thicker, with a tighter weave, but not as soft as the acrylic).

Whenever I get my FC 16oz back from a sizing error on their part that has been going on since *May* of this year (7mos, and I still don't have my correct kilt!), i'll compare it side-by-side with my SWK Standard with a truckload of pics to boot.