Turpin Sporran and a Kathy Lare Kilt

[Steve Ashton]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me make this real clear. The dispute I had with the Riverkilt was between he and I. It was over a misunderstanding of my meaning of a PM I wrote to him trying to pass on the feelings of some other members over what was seen as unauthorized and repetitive promotion of a manufacturer without the manufacturers permission and the wording of those promotions.

It was also about the publication of my message on another forum in an attempt to discredit this forum by implication that I was accusing him of something and that I was speaking in some official capacity.

It was a personal thing between Ron and I and had nothing to do with the official stance or rules of this forum.

Yes, the Forum Moderators and I are working on a re-write of our current rules. But it is to clear up some poor wording and bring them into some logical and understandable format. We are hoping to reduce the actual wording down to some manageable size.

Until you hear from me officially there are now new rules. There is certainly no rule that prevents someone from making an honest and open review of a product.

We, the staff of X Marks, have always valued our members reviews as the best way for our members to evaluate the value of products. The only problem anyone has ever had was when a review begins to cross the line and starts to sound like an unsolicited and unauthorized promotion of a particular product. That is what our current rules define as spam.

[Rex_Tremende]

Until you hear from me officially there are now new rules.

You mean there are "no new rules," yes?

And now, on to the reviews, please.

Regards,
Rex.

[Panache]

... officially there are now new rules.

Hey does that include the rule I suggested where "all handsewn Kathy Lare kilts with a 35" waist and a 23 1/2" drop (designed to fit a willowy but masculine build) must be sent to San Jose to Panache for an extended trial period to ensure quality products for our members" ?

I liked that one a lot!

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[Steve Ashton]

Good try Jamie.

[Tartan Hiker]

Actually, that rule has indeed been rewritten. It now states that all Lare kilts with a 38" waist and 25" drop be sent to me for hikeworthiness testing.

[KFCarter]

Actually, that rule has indeed been rewritten. It now states that all Lare kilts with a 38" waist and 25" drop be sent to me for hikeworthiness testing.

What about the rumored rule that all 40" waist, 20" Lare kilts have to be sent to Savannah for "pre-conditioning"?

(why should all you "willowy" guys get all the goodies?)

[ChubRock]

I was simply trying not to openly endorse or advertise. Now an honest review of goods and service I can certainly do and I am glad to have the opportunity to share my excitement.

A few months ago I started a thread here about killing my credit cards. Our lives have been more comfortable without them. Taking this step made me really think about my purchases a lot more. I needed to save my change, ala Jock Scot's advice, for any purchases. Instead of buying a quickie sporran and OTR kilt for cheap, I wanted to look deeper into the style and more importantly size I needed or my Man of Substance frame.

After spending way too much time Googling sporrans and kilts and checking vendors here and on other (more inferior) kilt sites, I decided to search the XMTS forum for words like "sporran" " kilt" "happy" "big" "exactly" and of course "member." After those searches, it came clear that there was a choice to be made between two sporran crafstmen whose work I liked and 'needed' and five or six kilt makers whose work was beautiful and traditional.

I'll start with my sporran from XTMS member Turpin:

My need was a for a nice black day-wear sporran. Between Thorfinn Custom Sporrans and Wyvern Leatherworks, I decided that the Thorfinn was a better fit for me and I like the way Big Mikeys looked, hey if Mikey likes it? (old joke for you kiddies out there.) I contacted Turpi and after several emails (I'm surprised he put up with me) we decided on an the black buffalo intermediate custom size. My bill including shipping, insurance and PayPal charges was $142.00. From time of ordering to receiving was about three weeks.

When this beautiful piece showed up I was excited. Yes, you could smell the leather through the bag :-) Upon opening my $146 TCS I realized it was huge and my initial thought was, "crap it's too big." Then I put it on, wow was it a perfect fit! It made me look better in my kilt immediately by giving me a nice Rob Roy look without tassels and a size that made my hips look proportioned with my sporran. You can only image that after a few seconds my sporran was 'lifted' from excitement. The detail of the leather was beautiful and the silver accessories were so nice. The buffalo was soft, yet firm and it hangs perfectly. I recommend this maker for not only his craftsmanship, but his patience and communication.

[ChubRock]

Now the kilt...

This was harder, I respect the quality and individual stylings of many kilt makers of the XMTS family. Matt Newsome, Lady Chrystel and Rocky made my top four. After reading about Kathy Lare from Kathy's Kilts I decided to call her. After an hour long conversation I decided to order my first hand-sewn kilt from her. This was a tough call because Matt and Robert have been very influential in my decision to go kilted, but I am sure as many of you know it's like having many family members in estate sales and having to choose just one to sell you a home.

Kathy considered the history of my tartan, clan and tradition. Together we decided not on a box pleat but a knife pleat to the sett. A 16 oz., Strome Weight, MacLellan Ancient 9-yards (for obvious reasons) from Locharron was being hand-sewn with pleats sewn down to help keeping it from being bulky was on the way to me after a couple months of waiting.

I have a 2nd hand SWK standard and it feels bulky around the hips and I was afraid a wool kilt would seem fluffy as well, Kathy assured me that a custom kilt would be nothing but flattering and feel like a tailored garment. She certainly hit the needle on the head! I asked for matching flashes to accompany and I could tell that she was a little hesitant with that. I didn't ask why, but I assured her that i wanted them for sentimental reasons as well as style. I plan on wearing them with other kilts.

So my bill including flashes, 9-yards of 16 oz. wool and insured shipping came to $600. Two months to the day of payment I received my kilt. I was nervous to open the box, afraid I had gained too much weight, the colors would be too bright, the wool would be itchy, maybe it would smell of sheep...all of these things crossed my mind. I don't think I have ever spent $600 on a suit, this was my first real item of clothing that I have ordered.

Well, it is beautiful, it smells like a new house, it is smooth and far from itchy and yes it even fit and fit well! Then the pride kicked in...MacLellan was my father's grand-mothers name and their family came from Kirkcudbright. I have read that you shouldn't be able to claim that as your tartan, but I am proudly representing my grandmothers heritage. The pride was overwhelming. As some may be able to understand, I feel like my great-grandmother was smiling upon me. Very hard to describe the feeling, but it was like the feeing I got when I set foot upon Scotland soil.

The detailing of the belt loops, straps and of course the pleats is incredible. I didn't ask for belt loops (or pay extra for them,) but they must be authentic and you can hardly see them since they were detailed into the tartan design. They are huge, maybe for a military belt. I really like the liner sewn in for protection and comfort. At this point I would change nothing! I may ask for alterations in the future as I am again working out to live longer. Thank goodness Kathy is wiling to make those alterations as needed.

The flashes are magnificent. I like the way the colors make a cross, very cool, nicely done! She also sent the extra material and my wife is looking at ways to make an accessory for herself so when we go out she can be an accessory to me. Trophy?

All in all the best purchase I have ever made except the engagement ring :-) Kathy was great to deal with, but don't expect a lot of electronic communication. Once the kilt deposit payment was received I didn't hear from her until she was done. I guess she was busy sewing her fingers to the bone and didn't have time to chit-chat. Two months for a hand-sewn 9-yard kilt? That is exceptional right?

[mbhandy]

Very nice.
I agree with you about the flashes they are cool.
I have a turpin Sporran but it does not have a number
I did get a second flap that is black with red trim.




Now all you got to do is put it on and wear your Kilt.

[Rob Wright]

Well done, both items are produced by craftsmen of high caliber. Of course we need to see pics of you wearing them!

Two months is actually a very good turnaround. I averaged roughly about 3.5 months for mine from her. She is a delight to talk with on the phone and she does respond to emails as her schedule permits from my experience. Wear both in good health sir!

Rob