Any experience with...

**StoneCold** · 15th April 06, 09:02 PM

I think you've made up your mind, and I'd have to agree with the direction in which you're going. I'm still a neophyte at this but your experiences are largely similar to my own.

I've had a Bear PV for a couple of years and loved it. I wanted something else, and as soon as one of the guys posted the picture of the weathered Lamont, I knew I had to have it. Well, I've got it and I love it. There may be some downsides, but none of them apply to me. And if it turns out that it's something that doesn't work for you, it won't be too hard to get rid of it. I just bought an Irish National SWK from Mark off this board, and he didn't have it up there too long

As for the sporran, I posed that same question just after I ordered the kilt. Definitely brown. Oddly enough, I picked up a brown Buzz Kidder (this one but in brown) from Charlie off this board as well.

Good luck with whatever you do.

**Colin** · 18th April 06, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by mbhandy

I tried on a handmade kilt at the shop in Salt Lake and the scot blood got the better of me

I think we should remember that the Scots are frugal people not cheap people. Frugal meaning buy one quality product that will last a life time and never need replacing. We, in North America, have been walmart-ized into the thought process of buy more of the cheaper version and just replace it with a new one in a year or two when the old one wears out. Quality over quanity is frugal not cheap.

I wish I had stopped at one or two casual kilts and than saved up for a traditional.

**Panache** · 20th April 06, 07:48 PM

Scottish Chi,

I promised a Stillwater review here it is.

I ordered online at about 3:00 PM PST the Saturday before Easter, I recieved confirmation of my payment and that the order had been packed by 10 AM PST the Monday after Easter, and at 3:00 PM PST Wednesday afternoon a big package arrived from Stillwater. So far Stillwater Kilts gets 10 out of 10 points for amazing speed of delivery.

(A side Note: My basis for comparison is my Utilikilt Mocker and my Economy Black Watch Kilt from the Celtic Croft. My wife felt the Economy Celtic Croft Kilt was too light, too "costume like". Before, I disagreed with her, but after wearing the Stillwater Kilts I think she had a point. )

My Black heavyweight "Shadow Tartan" kilt is heavy, with thick leather straps, and two loops in back for my sporran belt. It is well made and makes me finally understand the "tank" references for heavy kilts that are used on this board. I think it looks great and makes me feel like a million bucks when I wear it.

I was really surprised at the Stillwater "Standard" Hunting McCleod. This was something of an impulse buy for me. My wife is a Seward, a member of the clan McCleod. I have to admit to not being overly fond of the "Loud McCleod" yellow tartan. When I saw the "Hunting McCleod" standard I thought "Well why not". I felt I could justify the tartan as a way of honoring my beloved wife. You know that Rocky recently posted that PVC nowdays was very different from the leisure suits of yore, and he was right! It may not have been true wool but I had a hard time telling the difference in looks or feel between it and wool (though wool heavyweight is indeed heavier and has a better "swish" ). The "Standard" also features heavy straps and buckles and two sporran belt loops in the back of the kilt.

I feel that both kilts represent EXCELLENT value for the money. I wrote in my review of my Black Watch Celtic Croft Economy Kilt that I wouldn't buy another Economy kilt from them. I am very much looking forward to Stillwater kilts getting some Royal Stewart Standard kilts in stock. Not only would I buy again, I'm ready to buy again!

By the by, I ordered the black braided sporran and was very pleased with the quality I recieved for a $35 investment.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So here are a few of my Stillwater Kilts.

Standard Hunting McCleod with a T shirt and my new braided sporran (not my normal look)

Standard Hunting McCleod with collarless dress shirt (much more the real me)

Heavyweight Black "Shadow Tartan" Kilt with dress shirt (that's me)

I should note that exactly as advertised, in certain lights you can see a pattern to the "Shadow Tartan". I HIGHLY recommend Stillwater's kilts. Among my list of things to do this week now includes writing a big thank you letter to Stillwater kilts.

Hope this helps

Cheers

**Big Dave** · 20th April 06, 08:10 PM

Great pics Panache.

**LoftGuy** · 20th April 06, 08:24 PM

Panache,

Great pics and well done review; thanks very much.

Bob

**Scottish Chi** · 21st April 06, 04:00 AM

Panache, Great review and pictures! I understand the Black as well as the Saffron heavyweights are a little lighter than the Black Watch but you are obviously pleased with the weight and feel. The blue shirt looks great with the black kilt.

I am curious to know the number of pleats used since this is supposed to be a 7-8 yd kilt. Since it has a pattern, "Shadow Tartan", has it been pleated to the sett? At the price I wouldn't expect it but if it is then I would be even more impressed. Also is it a proper weave like a twill or more like an oxford cloth. (Sorry not sure of the proper weave terms.)

Cheers, Bill

**Jerry** · 21st April 06, 05:07 AM

quote:

Scottish Chi,

I promised a Stillwater review here it is.

I ordered online at about 3:00 PM PST the Saturday before Easter, I recieved confirmation of my payment and that the order had been packed by 10 AM PST the Monday after Easter, and at 3:00 PM PST Wednesday afternoon a big package arrived from Stillwater. So far Stillwater Kilts gets 10 out of 10 points for amazing speed of delivery.

Some of us finally figured it out. When the original Enterprise was scrapped, The transporter was purchased by a certain kilt company. Jerry just puts the kits in those USPS boxes with the postage on them to keep the other kiltmakers in the dark about his shipping (Beaming) advantage.

"Beam another kilt to Amelia county Va, Scotty"

**Panache** · 21st April 06, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by Scottish Chi

Panache, Great review and pictures! I understand the Black as well as the Saffron heavyweights are a little lighter than the Black Watch but you are obviously pleased with the weight and feel. The blue shirt looks great with the black kilt.

I am curious to know the number of pleats used since this is supposed to be a 7-8 yd kilt. Since it has a pattern, "Shadow Tartan", has it been pleated to the sett? At the price I wouldn't expect it but if it is then I would be even more impressed. Also is it a proper weave like a twill or more like an oxford cloth. (Sorry not sure of the proper weave terms.)

Cheers, Bill

Glad the review was of help.

The kilt has 29 pleats (it is a 36" waist).

If I understand the term "pleated to sett" correctly it means that the of the tartan is pleated such that the patern looks the same in the pleated rear as it does in the front apron. My wife says yes it is. I have to trust her because her eyesight is better than mine and the "Shadow Tartan" is pretty subtle in most light.

Sadly I'm not qualified to answer your weave related questions. I'm not well versed in fabrics and sewing. It is sturdy wool cloth.

Hope this is of help.

Cheers

**Riverkilt** · 21st April 06, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by Bob C.

Someday, someone is going to post something about Stillwater, and Ron is going to forget to complain about their length. It's GOT to happen, eventually.

Probably not...

Didn't realize I was complaining, just pointing out the limitations to a guy who asked.

Curious though...even SportKilt now offers custom lengths as an option.

Maybe I'm just jealous I can't get in on all the good deals from SWK.

Ron

**macwilkin** · 22nd April 06, 05:12 AM

I tried on a handmade kilt at the shop in Salt Lake and the scot blood got the better of me

Originally Posted by Colin

I think we should remember that the Scots are frugal people not cheap people. Frugal meaning buy one quality product that will last a life time and never need replacing. We, in North America, have been walmart-ized into the thought process of buy more of the cheaper version and just replace it with a new one in a year or two when the old one wears out. Quality over quanity is frugal not cheap.

I wish I had stopped at one or two casual kilts and than saved up for a traditional.

Hear, hear, Colin!

My definition of being frgual, which came from my Scots grandmother, was that you may only own one of something, but it's the best you can buy so you won't have to buy another one! :mrgreen:

Todd