Who has the best bargain on a tank?

**Tobus** · 29th January 10, 01:45 PM

The first thing I identify when pricing a kilt is Hand-sewn or machine-sewn.

Honestly, I don't care. I know some people put a lot of stock into that because it's a traditional way of making it. But I couldn't care less what methods are used, as long as the final product looks good and performs well.

You might try looking at what each vendor does that is unique and determine if that is of value to you. For example, Freedom Kilts is the only one I know of doing side slash pockets in tartan kilts right now. If that is a feature that you might want, then they stay in the mix. If a box pleat kilt is what you really want, then Matt would have to be at the top of that list. A double box pleat? Lady Chrystal suddenly is coming on very strong.

Nah, not interested in anything but a traditional knife-pleat 8-yarder. No bells and whistles or pockets or fuzzy dice.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. There are already some I hadn't heard of before.

Colquhoun Weathered would be a special weave as it is not available in stock from any mill.

Uh oh. I was under the impression that it was available in Lochcarron Strome. Do they not offer it even though it's listed on their site?

**bricelythgoe** · 29th January 10, 02:07 PM

I would recommend Skye Highland Outfitters. However, I am not sure if he can do special order tartans.

**slohairt** · 29th January 10, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Uh oh. I was under the impression that it was available in Lochcarron Strome. Do they not offer it even though it's listed on their site?

No, Lochcarron's site is horribly out-of-date. There are a number of tartans on that list that they no longer make, including many weathered shades. This happens to X-Markers a lot, unfortunately.

**slohairt** · 29th January 10, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Honestly, I don't care. I know some people put a lot of stock into that because it's a traditional way of making it. But I couldn't care less what methods are used, as long as the final product looks good and performs well.

People put stock in it because hand-sewn kilts have sewn-in canvas interfacing and reinforcement while the majority of machine sewn kilts do not. This can make a great difference after a few years of wear. There's a good reason why hand-sewn kilts still exist.

**RockyR** · 1st February 10, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by slohairt

People put stock in it because hand-sewn kilts have sewn-in canvas interfacing and reinforcement while the majority of machine sewn kilts do not. This can make a great difference after a few years of wear. There's a good reason why hand-sewn kilts still exist.

Actually, MOSt Machine Sewn kilts still have hand sewn canvas and hand sewn linings since it's tough / impossible to do those bits by machine. I only disagree with your term 'majority'.

Using our Premier 8 Yard kilts as an example... they are 90% machine sewn, but the 'innards' (horsehair canvas and the cotton lining) are all hand sewn.

**O'Callaghan** · 29th January 10, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Nah, not interested in anything but a traditional knife-pleat 8-yarder. No bells and whistles or pockets or fuzzy dice.

Pockets are useful.

Now I'm just trying to picture a sporran with fuzzy dice, for Ford Anglia drivers, LOL! (An old UK model of Ford with tailfins, often seen with fuzzy dice hanging from the rearview mirror, heaven knows why).

On a more serious note, Stillwater have what amounts to a tank for $122, machine sewn of course, which is probably the absolute cheapest available anywhere, but, unsurprisingly, the choice of tartans is extremely limited, and certainly doesn't include what you want.

**David Dubh** · 29th January 10, 07:44 PM

I have a hand sewn tank from tartanweb/scottishkilts.net and I am very pleased with it. Keltoi from all accounts does beautiful work and would be good value for such a rare tartan.It seems a lot of kilt web sites like kinloch anderson and the likes only deal with lochcarron or house of edgar, not that that's an issue if they make the tartan you need.

**Slag101** · 29th January 10, 09:25 PM

I have a machine sewn 4 yard from kilts.com/The Kilt & The Thistle. They are a third party/middle man retailer, but the kilt is top notch, they have great prices, and can easily do an 8 yard. Their delivery is quick, less than 8 weeks. I ordered a kilt from them as a gift for another person 2 weeks after I ordered mine, and both were delivered within days of each other. Their customer service is excellent.

I have a box pleat on order from Keltoi. John has been great to deal with. He helped me shop for the tartan I wanted, which took several e-mails and a phone call. When I thought I had found the tartan I was looking for, I ended up picking the wrong one. I would have never known, had it not been for John contacting me to confirm what I wanted, and pointing out that I may have picked the wrong one. Also, I feel his prices are fantastic for a completely hand sewn kilt. He has a bit of a wait for one of his kilts, but they are completely hand made, and the waiting list is a sign of how much demand there is for one of his kilts. I can't review the kilt yet as I don't have it, but if his customer service is anything to gauge it by, it should be outstanding.