Is Lochcarron Losing Their Edge?

[Hothir Ethelnor]

I agree with X.

Although in the odd 15 or so lengths of Strome I have seen I have never had a problem matching the sett or with selvage threads woven in wrong their cloth is definitely "spongier"

I was actually thinking about this today as I donned my 18oz BW kilt. I have had some pilling on my Strome kilt (I abuse the things honestly) and I had a thread or two get a bit pulled and the cloth has developed a "hairier" surface. my BW (which has been through hell since I made it last year) is still pristine and the surface of the tartan is amazing. I also have a Dalgliesh kilt which is superb but I don't think it can hold a candle to the 18oz BW tartan.

So far my favorite cloth to work with is MOD, followed by Dalgliesh, Marton Mills and then Strome. I have a length of Batley 13oz which is amazingly smooth compared to MM 13oz but it doesn't make for a good comparison with 16oz cloth.

MM's cloth appears to be woven tighter with thinner threads and feels smoother as a result. I will agree with Matt though that Strome takes a press very nicely whereas it takes more pressure and steam to really set the creases in Marton Mills cloth.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I just started a new kilt this morning, from Lochcarron Strome cloth, and the sett lined up perfectly when I split and joined the material. I have to say, of the nearly 500 kilts I have made to date, I've probably used Lochcarron Strome cloth more often than any other make or variety and I've never once had an issue with the sett not matching when the cloth was split and joined.

I've seen the quality control procedures at Lochcarron in person and I have to say I doubt very much that cloth with major flaws gets sent out with any regularity. I'd guess such cases to be few and far between.

[xman]

I've seen the quality control procedures at Lochcarron in person and I have to say I doubt very much that cloth with major flaws gets sent out with any regularity. I'd guess such cases to be few and far between.

I must say that's reassuring. I'd rather this be the exception than the rule.

[xman]

Yeah, pressing was a cinch.