Got some new goodies!

[Tobus]

I've been on the hunt for traditional tweed daywear Argyle jackets and waistcoats that are in the affordable range. Ebay has been a pretty good source for me, especially since jackets in my size are not in high demand (I'm a small guy).

So I snagged this tweed waistcoat and jacket for a very reasonable price from a seller in Scotland. They are 1960s vintage, or so I'm told. I will likely have some minor alterations done, since it was a bespoke set for someone who was close to my size, but not exactly my size. Anyway, it is a lovely brown/green/white tweed, which has an overall colour effect that comes off as a greyish-green. It goes great with my civilian spats!

The waistcoat:




Waistcoat with jacket (with a closeup):




And a more extreme closeup, showing the interesting colour combinations of the tweed, as well as a better look at my pocketwatch chain. I found a wonderful 3-dimensional thistle charm at the Highland Games a few weeks ago that goes great with it.




I had also been wanting a decent antler-handle sgian dubh with a Damascus blade. I've been wanting to have one made custom for me, but the price of custom work will require me to save my pennies for a while longer. In the meantime, John at Keltoi Gaelic Clothing had a model that I just had to have.

He told me ahead of time that they don't put much of an edge on these, since they're mostly for decoration and not functional use. But I'll be darned if I'm going to carry a knife that can't actually be used as such, so I spent about 4 hours of careful re-profiling and honing of the edge. It now passes the Tobus minimum standard for sharpness, meaning it will shave the hair off my arm when tested.

What I like about it is that it has the antler 'button', but it's not the raw edge turned outward like you usually see. This one angles back, in line with the blade, so it's not sticking out like a knot off the side of my knee. It has been worked down somewhat flat on both sides and the bottom was smoothed out. So it still has the overall charm of the button, but in a more functional and wearing-friendly shape. It fits my hand perfectly and has a nice indentation for my forefinger. IMHO, it's the best of both worlds: functionality and aesthetics.

[Spartan Tartan]

Great new jacket/waistcoat combination. Looking good.

[Mickey]

Very nice! Looks great on you. Congrats on the great find.

Love the watch chain too. Very sharp.

[Eck]

Cracking find Tobus - particularly like the top pocket on the waistcoat, quite unique.

[Downunder Kilt]

How excellent is that argyll jacket and waistcoat? Well done Tobus, You won't easily find that quality and style these days. Great colouring. And the sgian dubh is none too shabby either.
Congratulations to you

BTW. Is it Harris tweed?

[Peter Crowe]

Well done on your find Tobus That is a braw looking tweed Argyle day jacket and waistcoat, and besides a kilt itself, (IMHO) the most versatile garment for civilian Highland attire.

[Tobus]

Cracking find Tobus - particularly like the top pocket on the waistcoat, quite unique.

Yes, I was surprised that this waistcoat has four pockets. The two lower ones with flaps, and then two upper pockets.

I also like that the gauntlet cuffs on the jacket are not the more modern style that are stitched down to the sleeves all the way around. These are just tacked to the sleeve at one point. I don't know why it really matters to me, but I just don't care for gauntlet cuffs that are completely sewed down.

Between the jacket and waistcoat, there are 26 antler buttons. These things are super thick!

BTW. Is it Harris tweed?

It's not labeled as such, so I doubt it. In fact, there is no maker's label in there at all.

[LitTrog]

Those look great! I've been on the hunt recently, too. Don't know what your size is, but I applaud your persistence as my luck has been hit-and-miss. If I were a lesser man, I might envy you!

Again, very well done!

[davidg]

Yes, I was surprised that this waistcoat has four pockets. The two lower ones with flaps, and then two upper pockets.

The jacket and vest look great. I like the colour combination

I'm curious about your own views of the flaps on the lower vest pockets. Are you keeping those or removing them when you do your alterations?

I have a similar jacket and vest in blue tweed but I really am unsure about those vest pocket flaps. . I don't know whether I like them or not and have seriously considered taking my scissors to them

[RAF]

Great buys! The waistcoat and jacket are very smart looking. And while I'm not one to carry a sgian dubh, I can definitely appreciate the aesthetics of this one - it looks beautiful. Nicely done. I like the box pleated kilt too!