Leatherneck Box

**Tattoo Bradley** · 15th March 08, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by James MacMillan

It's in a class by itself!

My sentiments (along with many others) exactly.

It's truly the most versatile.

**macwilkin** · 15th March 08, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by James MacMillan

OK - I stand corrected it's not a casual kilt.......

But it has many of the attributes of a casual kilt, and it's not quite in the tank range - It's in a class by itself!

I can't say I agree with that -- Matt's qualifications as a kiltmaker and a historian put his kilts squarely in the tank range, especially since the box-pleat was the fore-runner of the traditional knife-pleated kilt.

T.

**Ancienne Alliance** · 15th March 08, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

I can't say I agree with that -- Matt's qualifications as a kiltmaker and a historian put his kilts squarely in the tank range, especially since the box-pleat was the fore-runner of the traditional knife-pleated kilt.

T.

You hit the nail right on the head there and I agree 150 per cent. The nobility of Box Pleat Kilts should be widely established.

R.

**ccga3359** · 15th March 08, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

I can't say I agree with that -- Matt's qualifications as a kiltmaker and a historian put his kilts squarely in the tank range, especially since the box-pleat was the fore-runner of the traditional knife-pleated kilt.

T.

But the term 'Tank' is not a technical term in the kilting world, from the FAQ:

A 'TANK' is defined as an eight-yard, wool, hand-sewn, traditional kilt. ie., "It's built like a tank." (coined by Jimmy Carbomb c.2005)

So by definition a Newsome 4 yard Box cannot be described as such. Traditional, hand sewn, wool yes but the beauty of the kilt is the construction requiring only 4 yards of material. This makes it a viable and affordable option for so many of us. I highly doubt I'll ever own a 'tank' but I'll agree that it most certainly is, as Jay noted, in a class of it's own. I'm proud to now be a part of a fortunate and select group lucky enough to own one.

**Mael Coluim** · 15th March 08, 10:59 AM

Well said, Jay! One sharp look.

**macwilkin** · 15th March 08, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by ccga3359

But the term 'Tank' is not a technical term in the kilting world, from the FAQ:

So by definition a Newsome 4 yard Box cannot be described as such. Traditional, hand sewn, wool yes but the beauty of the kilt is the construction requiring only 4 yards of material. This makes it a viable and affordable option for so many of us. I highly doubt I'll ever own a 'tank' but I'll agree that it most certainly is, as Jay noted, in a class of it's own. I'm proud to now be a part of a fortunate and select group lucky enough to own one.

Grant,

We'll have to agree to disagree then. If the term Tank isn't even a technical term in the kiltmaking industry, then why are you so wedded to such a precise definition?

And, as I stated before, the box-pleated kilt's history & pedigree place in the realm of traditional, in my opinion.

T,

**Tattoo Bradley** · 15th March 08, 01:13 PM

I'll agree with most of the points above. The box pleated kilt certainly holds place in history and is FAR from (as I stated earlier) a "casual" kilt. However, at least in my mind, the term "tank" was coined, at least in part, due to the shear heft of the yardage of the thing. "Built like a tank" and all that. To me, the term tank doesn't necessarily say anything other than the kilt is a heavy and made from lots of cloth. To me the term "tank" doesn't necessarily cry "top notch."

I own one "tank" and it's not even from 16 oz. cloth, it's made from 13 oz. kilting cloth. It's right over 8 yards, 13 oz. cloth, hand sewn. While I have no plans to part from it, and do include it in my rotation of kilts, I will never purchase another (unless I found a good deal on another one, in a tartan I couldn't pass up of course! But that goes without saying.)

I'm a convert to the box pleateds. They are what I want in a kilt: well made, custom made, worsted wool (all of mine are 16 oz. but I would consider one in 13 oz. IF the tartan was only available that way, like HofE's Old and Rare tartans ie. MacDonald of Glencoe

) There's also a certain Pennsylvanian kilt maker out there producing 5 yard knife pleated kilts that fit into what I want in a kilt as well.

I guess I've just developed my own flavor of Kilt Snobbery.

It's not quite as inclusive as some, but certainly more exclusively than many. I don't think there's anything wrong with knowing what you like.

**James MacMillan** · 15th March 08, 04:55 PM

The term tank is defined by X-Marks, not me, or Grant. Since the term is listed in the FAQ's, then we should stick to it.

Saying that a Matt Newsome Box pleated kilt is not a tank doesn't lesson the respect and pride that we hold for the garment. As in the the FAQ's, Quote A 'TANK' is defined as an eight-yard, wool, hand-sewn, traditional kilt. ie., "It's built like a tank." (coined by Jimmy Carbomb c.2005) Unquote

Matt's handywork qualifies in all but the eight-yard area.