Box or Knife Pleats?

**Schiehallion** · 6th February 10, 08:19 AM

Regarding the military box pleat... It is a knife pleat with the edge turned back to form a very narrow box which continues the verticle feel. It was used so I am told so that the kilt swung equally to the left and right when marching.

**creagdhubh** · 8th February 10, 02:02 PM

Knife pleats, pleated to the line (a line of color in the tartan sett of your kilt running vertical), all the way! The regimental way of pleating, I think, looks the most attractive bar none! Not too mention, you get more pleats-27 I think depending on the yardage of the kilt, and the swing (as in below whilst dancing in my 8 yard, 16oz strome Macpherson Hunting kilt by Lochcarron), which is the hallmark of any good kilt, is superb!

**wildrover** · 9th February 10, 11:00 AM

If I were getting ready to make a kilt, I'd set my sights on a box pleat, because it looks easier...and I'd probably find out that it's the same hard work as knife pleats, but with fewer of them, and then I'd get frustrated, make a blanket instead, and order a kilt from somebody else

.

Get what you like. A well-made and well-kept kilt is a good-looking kilt. Personally, I like the look of knife pleats better, but I think you'll receive more compliments from a very simple, well-executed, well-treated box pleat than a poorly-done knife pleat that's always being thrown in the washing machine (for example).

-Sean

**Jock Scot** · 24th February 10, 02:53 AM

What Matt and others are saying is no doubt quite right. However. Apart from the military box pleat, worn by the military, we civilians in Scotland, for about the last hundred or so years anyway, only know the knife pleat. Ask a kilt maker in Scotland about box pleated kilts and he might know what you are talking about. I have my doubts that they would make you a box pleated kilt, ask a Scot about box pleated kilts and all you will get is a puzzled look. I am not saying that a knife pleated kilt is better, what I am saying is that I have never seen a box pleated kilt, for real, to compare. Few of us over here have. Now that might be saying something, or it might not.

**chasem** · 24th February 10, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

What Matt and others are saying is no doubt quite right. However. Apart from the military box pleat, worn by the military, we civilians in Scotland, for about the last hundred or so years anyway, only know the knife pleat. Ask a kilt maker in Scotland about box pleated kilts and he might know what you are talking about. I have my doubts that they would make you a box pleated kilt, ask a Scot about box pleated kilts and all you will get is a puzzled look. I am not saying that a knife pleated kilt is better, what I am saying is that I have never seen a box pleated kilt, for real, to compare. Few of us over here have. Now that might be saying something, or it might not.

sounds like you need to get your hands on one ;)

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 24th February 10, 07:43 AM

I have shipped a few to Scotland.... :-)

**Jock Scot** · 24th February 10, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by chasem

sounds like you need to get your hands on one ;)

Of course if some one would like to send me a wool, heavy weight, box pleated kilt in my tartan and to my measurements for me to trial for a year or two , free and gratis, then it would be churlish to refuse.As long as I am free to write what I think at the end.

**Ryan Ross** · 25th February 10, 12:26 PM

I tend to feel like the 4 yard box pleated kilt is much more comfortable than an 8 yard kilt- no question about it, in my mind. It's also much more economical! In short, I have one 8 yard "tank", and I'm very glad to have that one; for all future kilts, I plan to go with 4 yard box pleated deals, with a possible 5 yard knife pleat thrown in there somewhere.