RKilt a review

[arrogcow]

Let me start this review by saying that I am a long time utilikilt wearer (nearly 6 years), and several things have kept me in UKs almost exclusively (I do have one PK that is lined for winter weather). I remember when RKilts started selling, and my thoughts were, "Yeah, a workman's rip off, and they are more expensive to boot." However, I still saved the link (as I do with all contemporary kilt makers), and would periodically check the site. Then came X-marks, and I started reading the contributions from Robert has made to this forum. I realized that as a lone kiltmaker, he takes great pride in his work, and that his kilts had some bonuses, including his use of real leather straps instead of snaps, and his willingness to configure pockets. Still, I resisted, I mean why spend the extra money when UK's (particularly the workman's) was working for me.

Still, I kept looking at the RKilt because they had the one thing I wanted, denim fabric. My only complaint with the workman's is the duc cloth, which is stiff and nothing can be done about it. I have been trying to get UK to do denim workman's for years (I actually proposed to Steve once that they revive the Painter's model in denim and corduroy). I had decided that if there were ever a return to Canada's $0.60 dollar, I'd get one that day.

But then things changed. UK's quality control has gotten spotty. While I haven't seen any problems the like of which Ron has spoken of, I have seen things. For instance, while working at a booth last summer, I measured a guy at a 44" waist. The 44 I pulled off the rack wouldn't go around the guy. I pulled a 46 and it looked to be about 6" too big. Then recently UK raised their prices, and while they are still a little cheaper, they are no longer cheap enough that I cared. Finally, Robert posted pics of his new color Putty. I have posted pics of my own dyed green workman's, and the putty is almost the exact color that I was going for (not that I don't like the lighter color I ended up with, but it hadn't been my goal).

So I gave in and ordered. I have to say that I love it, and I should have ordered one years ago.

Giving a UK workman's a B+, I have to give the RKilt an A-/A. It's a great garment (but still not perfect).

The good:

First it has a much wider apron than the UK, though still narrower than a traditional kilt. This give it a little more of a traditional look, and well as the ability to put on a kilt pin, which looks a little silly on a UK. Better still the first pleat on the right side is actually off the apron, which at first I thought was a little strange, but it looks ok. However weather planned or accidental, has a great benefit. I was out in some high wind yesterday, and that extra pleat acts like a wind break, stopping the wind from lifting the apron. On the down side (like my PK) the wider apron makes it harder to hold a pop between your legs while driving, but since I quit smoking I can set the bottle in the ashtray so not really an issue. On a more realistic note, I was playing with my son at the park yesterday and when squatting the apron didn't fall between my legs automatically, so I have to poke it down (something to watch around kids).

Second the hammer loops are awesome. There are two instead of one (and the UK tape measure loop has always been useless). Also unlike the UK, these are constructed in a way that they slide in and out easily (unlike the UK where you have to take it off to adjust). Additionally the leather is hidden in the pleats of the kilt. It took me 10 min to figure out how Robert did it, and I am willing to bet that it adds an hour to the construction time (right there justifying the higher price).

Finally the cargo pockets. Robert custom made the outer pockets the way I ordered them (I wanted smaller divisions on one side to hold pens/sharpies). But it gets better, there is an inner pocket that I did not know about on each. They are exactly the right size for my cell phone and business card holder. On the other hand they sit lower than on a UK (8" vs. 6") and I did catch one on a drawer yesterday, something I haven't done in years with a UK, but that is just a matter of getting used to the difference. They are also significantly smaller (6"x8" vs. 6.5"x9"), but with the inner pocket not a real problem (with one exception detailed below).

The bad:

Let me first say that both of these are probably my fault.

First there are no back pockets. Yeah, me not paying attention, I didn't even think about it. Still having to keep my wallet in a cargo pocket is a little annoying. I could wear a sporran (and the RKilts are designed to), I just don't like the look of a sporran with a contemporary kilt.

Second, the apron pleat is about 1/2" longer than the first pleat on the right side. First, not something that the average person will notice. Second, it probably is my fault. I ordered the kilt about 1-1 1/2" too small. Why would I do something like this, you may ask. I always put on winter weight and am now about 20 lbs heavier than I will be by June (I work a lot in the summer and spend the winter eating Twinkies and watching TV). Quitting smoking has not helped (but it's better than lung cancer), but past experience has taught me that the weight will come off once my working season gets into full swing.

The questionable:

First the leather straps are very stiff. Hopefully they will loosen up with use. The hole on the left side for the strap is also very tight to the strap. This makes it a little hard to get on (and the extra weight detailed above probably doesn't help).

Second the denim is curling like crazy. While others here have said denim is bad for kilts for this very reason, my own experience with my one denim UK has shown that it is the least likely to have a curl. So I'm hoping that after a wash or two, they will fall back into line so to speak. I also am a little concerned about how the denim will hold up to actual work (yes I wanted denim, but I do have my fears that it is not as rugged as the duc).

Finally my keys have gotten caught in the pleat just to the left of the apron since the key clip hangs about 2" lower than on the UK. Not a big deal, and I could fix it with a smaller key ring.

So in conclusion, I strongly recommend the RKilt, and as of this writing expect my next working kilt for be another.

Adam

[Fearnest]

Wow - thanks for the detailed review, Adam! Hope the softening takes hold and the curling lessens! (Have you washed it yet - and if so, have you used fabric softener on it? That might help - but I'd also be concerned about what it might do to the leather.)

(Oh, and I share your "winter spread" issues - though mine is from sloth and foot surgery... and oreos.)

[sean_cummings]

That's a great review. I have been thinking of getting one as well. Now I am thinking a little harder, and my credit card is starting to call my name.

[Raphael]

I can't wait to review my Rkilt.....

[ozone]

Umm, anyone have a link for Rkilt for ordering etc?

[Kid Cossack]

http://www.rkilts.com/

[Riverkilt]

RKilts makes kilts in something other than LEATHER?? Delicious aroma the leather used in my leather RKilt....love it....

Thought you were talking about the RKilts LEATHER there...hmmm denim....hemp you say....hmmm.

Was kind of taken by your not liking your wallet in the cargo pockets. I have 14 UKs and never use the back pockets. One of the great joys of contemporary kilts is not having to sit on my wallet like with bifurcated garments. Different strokes.

Are you sure it wasn't LEATHER....?

What's that exchange rate now....can always use another color LEATHER Rkilt....

Ron

[Tattoo Bradley]

RKilts makes kilts in something other than LEATHER?? Delicious aroma the leather used in my leather RKilt....love it....

Thought you were talking about the RKilts LEATHER there...hmmm denim....hemp you say....hmmm.

Was kind of taken by your not liking your wallet in the cargo pockets. I have 14 UKs and never use the back pockets. One of the great joys of contemporary kilts is not having to sit on my wallet like with bifurcated garments. Different strokes.

Are you sure it wasn't LEATHER....?

What's that exchange rate now....can always use another color LEATHER Rkilt....

Ron

One of those LEATHER RKilts is forever on my list. Too much tartan ahead of it though... one of these days I suppose.

[arrogcow]

Was kind of taken by your not liking your wallet in the cargo pockets. I have 14 UKs and never use the back pockets. One of the great joys of contemporary kilts is not having to sit on my wallet like with bifurcated garments. Different strokes.

Even before I started wearing kilts I was the kind of guy who probably should have carried a purse. I end up carrying so much junk that I need all the room I can get. I used to wear a vest with the pockets full too. Now the UK's usually do the trick. The RKilt will be fine everywhere except on set I think, where I usually end up with a pocket full of tape, batteries, Light meter, etc.

I'm also thankful that I didn't get one of those infamous leather swatches, cause I don't have the money right now.

One more complaint. I got a stack of contact info for RKILTS, phone number, measurements needed, that kind of thing. UK adn PK both sent me business cards - they fit in a pocket. These things don't unless they get all folded up (they're about 8" long). Send business cards!!!

Adam

[shawhighlander]

I must say Sir, that I became engrossed in your report...very detailed with much thought put into it. I liked the way you broke in down into categories: The good, the bad & the questionable, and that you took some of the blame...very noble of you.