Todd, I owned one for about two weeks... and sold it to a "newbie". 'Nuff said.

For the money, I would recommend (from experience) that you hit-up Jeff over at PittsburghKilts. IF you need speed, AmeriKilts has a load of new materials available, and they're not bad. If Mike Butler had the time to spend here that other kilt makers have, they would be getting MUCH more thread-time.

You already know my tell-tale signs for a quality-made kilt... and that's the absence of "wandering" pleats, and puckering apron corners. The puckering apron is the only problem that I have with UtiliKilts (since the pleats are too large to wander). AmeriKilts work well, but aren't custom-made like PK's. AmeriKilts also don't look too much like the tartan casuals that you're used to. The pleats are sewn-down and very wide. They're comfortable... just not overly "Celtic". Apparently, the "Boulder Kilts" from SportKilt aren't "all that". Bear could make you a solid that would do well too... but you'll need to ask him about availability right now.

Right now, in my opinion, there's no solid kiltmaker out there that has the quality, the "Celtic" appearance (available), the options and the price that Jeff at Pittsburgh Kilts has. Go by the tell-tale signs and browse. The camoflauge kilt that he made for me (and was seen at Adams County) fits the bill. Kiltmakers should get better with experience... and Jeff's there now.