$130 Wool SWK!

**MacLowlife** · 2nd December 09, 06:48 AM

Has anyone tried to cut away the extra fabric on a SWK? I am about to embark on a major kilt proselytizing effort and would love to be able to recommend them as an alternative to buying used or saving up for a MTM.

Are there other economy (traditional) kilts available broadly that compare favorably? I have had good luck with the secondary market and I personally do not object to PV, but I am always ready to hear about a decent wool kilt at a discounted price.

**MacLowlife** · 2nd December 09, 06:53 AM

By the way, Is everybody aware of Rocky's CASH FOR CLUNKERS KILT PROGRAM?

**bricelythgoe** · 2nd December 09, 07:26 AM

I am finished with kilts that are not made to measure. The seem to fit a specific hip size, which I do not have. I think it is worth the money to get something made to measure. This comes from someone who has bought 3 'off the rack' kilts from eBay and other places. I ended up selling or returning all 3. Nothing beats made to measure.

**Bugbear** · 2nd December 09, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by MacLowlife

Has anyone tried to cut away the extra fabric on a SWK? I am about to embark on a major kilt proselytizing effort and would love to be able to recommend them as an alternative to buying used or saving up for a MTM.

Are there other economy (traditional) kilts available broadly that compare favorably? I have had good luck with the secondary market and I personally do not object to PV, but I am always ready to hear about a decent wool kilt at a discounted price.

Yes, I removed the redundant fabric above the fell of my wool Stillwater, then installed hair canvas interfacing, as well as, a stabilizer and the steeking of the pleats. I also managed to flare the rise of the kilt so the waistband is not the tightest point. I didn't pay myself for the labor, so I don't know if I saved any money.

It was almost more to see if I could do it than to save money because there is no possible way I could pleat and sew a tartan kilt. I'm not even able to sew in the proper way of a kiltmaker.

**McFarkus** · 2nd December 09, 07:43 AM

The SWK wools are a great value for the money, particularly in comparison with one of the acrylic kilts.

**csbdr** · 2nd December 09, 09:38 AM

I've been very happy with the SWK's I have. I currently own 2 woolies and an acrylic from him. They (wool) are a fair value, IMO. Reasonable quality for what you pay, fit is decent, fabric is fine (I'd say more like 14oz than 16...) and I don't know that anyone but another kilt wearer would know the difference. The acrylic is alright, but I don't think I'd get another. They're fine, actually, but I prefer the wool and would probably save the money and get a PV from Rocky over another SWK acrylic.

So, what's the "cash for Klunker's" thing?

**Galician** · 2nd December 09, 09:41 AM

I have several of the SWK wool, and I am happy with them, as already stated, for the price. I would rank them, though, as 13 oz. products. They are nowhere as heavy as a 16 oz. wool kilt would be.... but look at the price!!! and the tailoring is usually excellent.

**Dixiecat** · 2nd December 09, 09:47 AM

Does anyone have a closeup of the pleats of one of these SWK heavyweights? And, what about the swish of this kilt?

**Bugbear** · 2nd December 09, 10:03 AM

Oh, no. It isn't sixteen ounce fabric. Like I said, it's not as tight of a weave nor spin of yarn. It's not horrible though.

I think it swishes OK, but I really don't know how well the sett looks from the back; it's one of the Weathered Lamont tartans.

Thankfully, I never had any pleat shots from the back taken.

There is nothing I can do about it if the sett is not perfect.

That being said, I am aware of a minor problem with one of the pleats on the inside of the kilt in the back. I don't think it can be seen from the outside.

* I don't want to make anyone mad talking about this. You are not being sold a "Tank," and nothing at Stillwater or the price suggests that.

**ScottEPooh** · 2nd December 09, 10:25 AM

I'm no kilt expert, and I don't own a SWK Heavyweight, but I do actually own a Highland Inspirations, in fact the same tartan as shown there, and I like it fine. Of course, it was bought for me by my wife last Christmas, and she bought it from a fellow XMTS member, so I have no idea how much it cost, but knowing my wife's frugality (is that a word?), I'd say it was a good deal. It's got a good weight, and everything looks pretty good, no complaints here. I dunno if that helps any, but I thought I'd toss my $.02 in.