Kilt Review: R-Kilts Hemp Kilt, Black w/ Brass Hardware

**Alan H** · 15th October 12, 05:39 PM

Very nice. He does class work...just class.

**Tobus** · 16th October 12, 05:44 AM

This thing is beastly and I was having a hard time trying to imagine a 16oz wool tank being even more so.

Well, actually, a 16 oz wool tank might indeed be more 'beastly' due to the fact that it uses around 8 yards of material. How many yards are in this R-Kilt model? Looks like about 5 to me, but that's a wild guess based on the pleats. But - yours has some added weight with the hardware, pockets, and leather bits. It does look like a bullet-proof kilt.

**Clockwork** · 16th October 12, 07:48 AM

Absolutely Alan; that's what motivated me to go to him for my first kilt.

Tobus - the one in this review was constructed with 4 yards of 59" width fabric (the pleats are really deep and a lot of fabric is used in the aprons). This is Robert's standard model, just with a specially requested fabric, so it should be equal in yardage to what he would use for one ordered without the specially requested fabric.

Cheers,
-Jake

**Canuck** · 16th October 12, 11:28 AM

There is close to 7 yds of material. 16 pleats hip to hip. 6 forward of the hip (three on each side of the forward hip to the aprons.) double pleat depth at each hip plus deep pleats at the aprons.

**Clockwork** · 17th October 12, 09:37 AM

Well, there you go Tobus. I guess the construction questions are better left to the maker and expert, Robert. All I know is how much fabric I ordered as directed by Robert

That, and the fact that I couldn't be happier with this kilt. But you would be right though; a 16oz wool tank would be even more beastly than this kilt, in terms of fabric usage. And although this kilt has superb swish, I wouldn't doubt if the swish of a wool tank would, at the least, be just as good.

Cheers,
-Jake

**Tobus** · 17th October 12, 11:19 AM

My intent wasn't to compare your kilt to a traditional 'tank' in terms of performance, so I hope that it didn't come across that way. These are two entirely different animals. I was just curious as to the total weight comparison, considering that the weight of cloth used in yours is equivalent to 16 oz wool. I was surprised to learn that it has about 7 yards of material in it. I'll bet it's heavy indeed! Especially with the addition of pockets and all the rivets and leather and such. I've come to appreciate the feel of a good heavy kilt. It just feels much manlier than a low-yardage lightweight material kilt.

**Clockwork** · 17th October 12, 02:04 PM

Not at all my friend

I was actually the one trying to compare this to a tank. Not in a way of 'which is superior/inferior', because as you said they are two different animals and really can't be fairly compared without taking personal preferences into account. Rather, I was trying to describe its characteristics in a way that someone familiar with tank might more readily relate to. But then again, I haven't handled a tank nor wore one before, so my comparisons are based solely on how I've seen them behave while other people wear them, and the reviews/descriptions provided on this site and elsewhere. Subsequently, my understanding of the characteristics of a tank may be wildly incorrect.

I agree about the weight too; there's just something about a weighty kilt that makes it feel 'right'. I don't know if the 7 yards is a baseline with Robert's kilts or if that's what was used on mine specifically (I have a very lean build). That's something he'll be able to answer.

Cheers,
-Jake

**seanachie** · 18th October 12, 09:20 PM

Of course another advantage of the weight, even in standard hemp depends on your mode of commuting. I use a Segway to get back and forth to work each day, 6 miles on city streets. Every Friday I am kilted and my Rkilts fare better in a breeze. :-) I also can get a nice swish while gliding..