Experience with Stillwater?

[Aaron]

I've been thinking about getting a Stillwater.

Anybody want to voice an opinion?

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Hey Homie. Yes... I have experience (even with the New for 2005 stuff) with StillWater. I'll tell you what I'll tell everyone else:

StillWater Kilts has gone out of their way to push the business and the quality of their kilts beyond what we're used to.

The Company: though small and mostly done on eBay, they're quite good at customer service and product satisfaction.

The STANDARD Kilts: are the one to buy. Until the new line is introduced this Summer, the Standards are one of the "Best Buys" in kilts. Where else are you going to get a three-buckle, high-sitting, numerous-pleated kilt for under $80 (includes shipping)? Gentle care and maintenance will have your kilt around for quite a while.

Upgrading the Kilt: IF you're in the mood, you can easily sew-down the hips to help control the sway and rigidity of the pleats. Make sure to iron-in the taper on the left side of the front apron.

Shockers for the cost: You'll have a kilt with more than 2-dozen pleats (easily even for a smaller waist), a tapered apron with double fringe on the right edge, three leather straps, some cool tartans, and the knowledge that you're not spending much. You'll also have something that's wearable in public.

Comparison: The ONLY kilt that's actually in the same category (off-the-rack & inexpensive) are SportKilts. SportKilt has many more available tartans, and the options for loops, sewn-down pleats and a pocket. SportKilts, however, still has no intention of making sure that the tartan is sewn into a pattern. That means that the aprons have no symmetry, the pleats are randomly sewn, and the overall appearance is "ultra-casual". SportKilts are worn on the hips... StillWater Kilts are worn up on the belly (more traditionally). SportKilts are just that: for sports or lounging. StillWater Kilts takes the wear-factor up a notch.

Material: is pretty nice, especially in comparison with the other low-cost kilts. It's NOT a thin cotton or cotton-poly. There's some "umph" to the fabric. The tartans CAN BE a little smaller than you may be used to. The Irish National is thinner than you'll find from the House of Edgar. For the price... you'll EASILY be able to live with it.

StillWater Kilts has provided a low-cost alternative that actually is wearable. The "New for 2005" additions are a nice touch. The tapered aprons with double-fringe, the SEWN TO SETT patterns, the three straps, the numerous pleats, the lining, and the price are WELL worth your consideration.

I own a LOAD of kilts from other kiltmakers, and they all have their place. For me, the StillWater Kilt is worn for Pubs that are going to get rowdy. It's worn in places where damage won't have me regretting wearing the kilt. If it came down to wearing a StillWater or a SportKilt... there's absolutely NO COMPARISON. I don't own a SportKilt anymore, and I just did a gig in the StillWater on Tuesday Night.

Along with the Buzz Kidder and Freelander Sporrans, StillWater Kilts (Standard Version) are actually in the category of "you get more than you pay for". Could YOU make this kilt cheaper? Probably. Is it worth having in NO TIME and saving the work of tracking-down straps and buckles, doing the sewing, finding the tartan, and only having to wait a matter of a few days to receive (in most cases)? That's entirely up to you. All I can tell you, is that I'm writing this information while I'm sitting in one.

StillWater Kilts Website
7500 16th Ave S
Richfield, MN 55423
sales@stillwaterkilts.com
www.stillwaterkilts.com
612.859.5764

[phil h]

I got a cheap kilt from them, it's ok,you get what you pay for, the apron is not very wide.
my first kilt was lost in the post,he was very good about sending another kilt,got here in good time.
would I get another?
yes.

[beerbecue]

I did what Jimmy said, I altered it to make the apron flare more, the pleats are sewn down, etc. and it is a very good kilt for the price.

The customer service is outstanding. Very fast shipping and very friendly

<Shameless plug follows>

I no longer wear the one I have, actually its only been worn I think about three times.... and am selling it...

<Shameless plug over>

You can't go wrong with buying from Jerry, the kilts are a very good value.....

[Matthews]

I have one, I like it. Jimmy says it all. I'll definately be buying from Stillwater again. Now someone will say, "Oh well there is no comparison with buying a Traditional Wool" (and they are right) but to me the starving student, the comparison is easy - a few hundred $$$$. I'm thinking about joining the Canadian Army Reserve so perhaps the extra cash will lead to something....who knows....

Cheers,
T.R. Matthews

[awoodfellow]

to reiterate ....

Jimmy C is right on the money.

I've two SWK's and like them quite a bit. And Customer Service? I'd be hard pressed to find a small company "giving" as much CS as Jerry does.

For a knockabout, it's more than worth the money. A kilt pin IS a must. The SWK's, as comfortable as they are, tend to be flighty in a breeze!

ambrose

[Aaron]

Wow. With everyone giving such high praise, how could I go wrong? Thanks everyone for chiming in.

So I guess the only question I need to answer is, do I want a Stillwater to knock around in, or do I want to save up the $$$$ and get something more traditional? It's not an easy choice.

[Galant]

Depending on your size or desire for something custom I wouldn't forget to check out the For Sale section, where you might find a cheaper way to get a traditional. Some wonderful deals to be had.

[bjcustard]

What Jimmy said...

I have 4 Stillwaters. That's ~ $250 vs $1500+ to buy those in wool.

I'm slowly poaching good wool kilts, but for my money, Jeremy has fed my kilt-jones.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

For a knockabout, it's more than worth the money. A kilt pin IS a must. The SWK's, as comfortable as they are, tend to be flighty in a breeze!

Ambrose and everyone else... it's easy to take care of that little problem by sewing down the hips. Take it down 1/3 the length of the kilt and the "Marilyn Monroe" look won't be so often. You'll also need to relocate the hip buckle to where you end the hip stitch. It looks much better there. (I love layman's terms).

The "new" Standard Kilts have a wider apron from the ones that StillWater has put out in the past. The one that I'm wearing now has the same apron width as the custom-made kilts. That, and the taper with the double-fringe, is a HUGE improvement!

Remember... this is for the STANDARD kilts, not the economy ones. It's worth the extra few bucks to upgrade.