Who has the best bargain on a tank?

[Tobus]

People put stock in it because hand-sewn kilts have sewn-in canvas interfacing and reinforcement while the majority of machine sewn kilts do not. This can make a great difference after a few years of wear. There's a good reason why hand-sewn kilts still exist.

Thank you, John. I did not know that. Is there some reason that kiltmakers who do machine stitching don't include reinforcement? I'm guessing it's because perhaps normal sewing machines can't handle punching through the extra thickness of material.

If the hand-stitching means better performance due to this additional reinforcement, then perhaps it is something I should take into consideration. These are the kinds of details I was hoping to get, in order to truly be able to determine how each kiltmaker's price corresponds to the quality.

I saw a really lovely, well-made kilt in Colquhoun made by Rocky at USA Kilts (link at top) worn by our Jon1975. You could contact Jon and see what he thinks. Not weathered, but I thought it a very fine tartan.

Rocky made my current PV casual kilt in Colquhoun ancient. I agree, it's a fine looking tartan, which is good because it's the clan my family comes from (on my mother's side; my father's side are Saxons). I wouldn't be wearing it otherwise, if there weren't a family connection. I could always get my 'tank' in the same "ancient" colors (as the modern Colquhoun colors are way too dark and formal looking for my tastes) if the weathered tartan is not available or would cost too much. But I was hoping for the weathered version because it would be perhaps a little more versatile for me. I'm an "earth tones" kind of fellow.

Anyway, USA Kilts and Keltoi are most definitely on my "short list", as I've done business with both in the past and I trust them. As I get closer to making the decision, I will be contacting each of them for specific quotes. I was mainly looking for other recommendations to get quotes from, which have been helpfully provided by the rabble here. Thank you!