Securing kilt pins

[andyfg]

In a recent thread Trefor said he lost a kilt pin. The other day I did too. I took our little dogs out in the back garden. Remember looking at the kilt pin. Five minutes later it was gone! Searched everywhere but couldn't find it. I have noticed before that the little clasp on a number of my kilt pins tends to come insecure when walking etc. Anyone any advice for securing kilt pins?

[Robin]

I check the closure of each kiltpin (each kilt has it's "own" kiltpin) once in a while. Kiltpins are made of pewter or silver, not the strongest metals, so it's very possible the pin or closure will bent.

Btw...it's better to lose a kiltpin as to rip the apron to shreds

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Cut the eraser off of a standard pencil. When you pin the kilt pin on, stick the eraser on the pin (on the back of the apron). This will act as an anchor, so that if the kilt pin should come unclasped, it won't completely fall out. It will get stopped by the eraser and you'll be able to fix it.

Haven't lost a kilt pin yet!
Matt

[andyfg]

Cut the eraser off of a standard pencil. When you pin the kilt pin on, stick the eraser on the pin (on the back of the apron). This will act as an anchor, so that if the kilt pin should come unclasped, it won't completely fall out. It will get stopped by the eraser and you'll be able to fix it.

Haven't lost a kilt pin yet!
Matt

Thanks Matt. Brilliant idea! Just tried it and it works a treat. Jane had bought me a very nice sterling silver pin for our wedding anniversary and I have been a little nervous wearing it. Now it feels secure.

[McClef]

Yes losing a kilt pin is a bummer and the ones with the clasps (as the one I lost had) are the most prone to becoming unclasped.

A regular check that the clasp is still closed is recommended. However you can't keep an eye on them all the time and when brushing by people in crowded circumstances such as the Royal Welsh Show where I lost it means you can't always keep an eye on it and by the time you realise it's missing it's too late!

It was a lovely jewelled claymore pin too!

A friend of mine suggested that they would be more secure using three small safety pins pinned into the underneath of the apron and going around the rear of the pin would help - I tried this with my heavy Scottish Lion Rampant pin and so far it is still there though I still paranoically check the clasp at regular intervals!

However I also found some very reasonably priced gold coloured "diaper" style pins on Ebay which have a decoration on the top plus a stone and bought one with a thistle head and a purple faux jewel which is now adorning my new Black Watch kilt - will have to get a photo done to demonstrate how it looks and the secuity of how it's attached. I would think there would be little danger of snagging and tearing especially as it is on the reinforced hem of the apron edge.

[Kilted KT]

hmm..


here are some options I've found effective.

1. Weld the kilt pin on. Works well, but I'm afraid the kilt is a bit worse for the wear after the pin is attached.

2. Hire a following of Kilt-adoring ladies in mini-kilts to keep an eye on the kilt pin. VERY handy when the pin comes off and you aren't paying attention.

3. Wear an iron kilt with a cloth kilt pin. Much harder to loose them this way.

[andyfg]

hmm..


here are some options I've found effective.

1. Weld the kilt pin on. Works well, but I'm afraid the kilt is a bit worse for the wear after the pin is attached.

2. Hire a following of Kilt-adoring ladies in mini-kilts to keep an eye on the kilt pin. VERY handy when the pin comes off and you aren't paying attention.

3. Wear an iron kilt with a cloth kilt pin. Much harder to loose them this way.

All great suggestions!

I'm going with number 2. Where do I find these kilt-adoring ladies? Can you get them at Kiltstore? Do Xmarkers still get 10% discount?

[Robinhood]

Most kilt pins I have seen have a part that rotates
to secure the pin part. I squeeze this part with
pliers to make it tight (difficult to rotate). Elmers
glue can also be applied to this part. One drop
in the works, and then rotated back and forth
several times to spread it. Water will loosen it
when you are ready to remove the pin. This is
a good one for when you want to leave it in the
kilt for a long time, like if you have a good pin
that you only wear with your best kilt to formal
occasions.

For a kilt pin that is frequently moved from one
kilt to another, I use a piece of black electrical
tape a couple of inches long wrapped arount
the pin part of the attachment. It works in the
same fashion as the eraser, but sticks better
to the pin, is smaller, so if I bump it with my
knee, it doesn't bend the pin. It also doesn't
crumple like an eraser if I kneel on it.

[Southern Breeze]

Cut the eraser off of a standard pencil. When you pin the kilt pin on, stick the eraser on the pin (on the back of the apron). This will act as an anchor, so that if the kilt pin should come unclasped, it won't completely fall out. It will get stopped by the eraser and you'll be able to fix it.

Haven't lost a kilt pin yet!
Matt

Phil h posted a reply in another thread that had this site in it-
http://mykilts.tripod.com/id13.html
it has pics of what I think M. A. C. Newsome is describing plus other kilt related tips.

[Bob C.]

Hire a following of Kilt-adoring ladies in mini-kilts to keep an eye on the kilt pin. VERY handy when the pin comes off and you aren't paying attention.

Not to mention the added benefit of the view when they bend over to pick it up for you.