UK Versus FK

[NancyMan]

Having just won a new Mocker Utilikilt on Ebay and, being the proud owner of a Casual Freedom Kilt, I thought it would be an interesting exercise to compare the two since, superficially at least, they have much in common.

Both are contemporary kilts made of black cotton/poly. They each have internal front and rear pockets. (The UK pockets are standard while those of the FK are optional.) Both are "hip riding" as opposed to hi-rise in design. Each fastens without traditional straps: the UK with 6 snaps, the FK with 5 buttons (and 3 dummies). This means that they are a non-adjustable, fixed size. Both have the pleats stitched down to the hips and both the inner and outer edges of the pleats are sewn down to the hem. And here the similarities end.

My waist is 31-32 inches. My UK is made from just under 4 yards of fabric- actually two pieces joined at the back inside of the central box pleat. There are 16 pleats in total- both sides folding toward the back and meeting in the middle at the box pleat. My FK is made from a single piece of fabric a little over 6 yards in length, having 22 pleats that lay back from the left all the way round to the right front just like a traditional kilt. Pleating on the FK is perfect. The UK pleats are more rebellious. They kick out or curl hear and there. The stitching on the FK is impeccable. While that on the UK is generally good, there are a few loose threads that will likely start to unravel and need fixing before long. Swing on the FK is moderate, on the UK minimal. The FK has a full double apron with 17 inches of overlap at the hem. The UK has its distinctive, narrow 7 inch apron with only 5 inches of overlap between the outer and inner aprons. (I flashed more than a little thigh today while sitting on a park bench in a mild wind.) The UK front pockets are a good inch deeper than those of the FK, just enough to make me bend a little and have to reach to get to their bottom. Otherwise they are almost identically constructed. The entrance to the FK front pockets is straight up and down- the UK slightly curved and on the bias. Oh what a difference in the hip pockets! The FK's are 5 ½ inches wide and 7 inches deep with a buttoned flap. A wallet tends to make a slight bulge over my butt. The UK's are 5 inches wide and eight inches deep. A wallet sits lower and causes no butt bulge- however, when I sit down, I sit right on top of the wallet- and that's a pain in the butt. On top of that, extracting the wallet from the pocket is extremely difficult. It's not the ½ inch difference in the opening, because my Dickies work pants are five inches. It's the material the pocket itself is constructed of. The front pockets are made of the same cotton poly as the kilt. The back pockets are a softer, straight cotton material which tends to wrap itself around the wallet so that when you try to extract it, the pocket wants to come with it. Very vexing when your in a lineup of impatient trousered folks. I'll have to reserve the back pockets on the UK for bus tickets and handkerchiefs only.

The biggest difference of all is that the UK is generic sized while the FK is custom tailored. This makes a huge difference both in appearance and comfort. Where the UK looks punky, the FK looks sleek and sophisticated. And though the UK isn't uncomfortable, the FK feels coddling in comparison. Of course the advantages of the FK come with a price. With all four pockets added it comes in at nearly double the price of the UK. But for my money, it is well worth it. Despite their similarities, these are distinctly different breeds of kilts. The FK is a beauty and a thoroughbred at that, while the UK is a more rude beast. (OK, maybe not so rude as its Denim, Workman and Survival brethren.) I'll reserve the FK for fine cultural events and the UK for circumstances where barbarian chic is in order.

[possingk]

NancyMan,
This is the comparison I have waited on for a long time. I am going to Dublin, OH in about a month and have kicked around getting a UK or holding off a little while and getting a FK, you have helped make up my mind,

Thanks

[Riverkilt]

Good review!

The FK is also available with traditional straps in some models...something a "growing boy" like me can use.

Ron

[arrogcow]

Of course the advantages of the FK come with a price. With all four pockets added it comes in at nearly double the price of the UK. But for my money, it is well worth it. Despite their similarities, these are distinctly different breeds of kilts.

And that is where the rubber meets the road. UK and AK are the contemporary kilt equivalent of SWK (Ok they are better quality, but you get the picture), and FK and RK are more tank like (meaning the attention to sizing and workmanship). Both have their place, just depends on what you're willing to pay/put up with.

Adam

[TechBear]

As I see it, the main difference is that Utilikilts are factory made (by hand one at a time, rather than by an automated process 10,000 at a time) while Freedom Kilts seem mostly custom made. With UKs, you do lose some attention to detail and a custom fit, but gain the ease of "off the rack" buying and a lower price. Assuming that they both are otherwise equal (relative ease of care, durability of fabric, comfort, etc), I think it is a reasonable trade-off.

Consumer choice is nice

[GlassMan]

I'm also thankful that UKs are an off-the-rack kilt, since at the last Capitol Pride my partner was able to see lots of guys in their UKs and also see the variety in the UK booth itself. It was enough to finally get him to agree with me that I'd look good in a solid-color kilt. Now that I've broken through that barrier, I'll be able to order a custom made solid-color kilt after we're done with all the purchases for the new house.

[The Wizard of BC]

Thank you, Nancyman, for an honest and straightforward review. I had been hoping that someone on this board would do just that sort of thing. As you so well stated, "These are distinctly different breeds of kilt."

Yes, Freedom Kilts cost more. We are a small company that makes kilt one at a time to each customer's exact specifications. However, Freedom Kilts is expanding and hopes to offer limited off-the-rack kilts in the near future.

Freedom Kilts offers full traditional pleats with full width, tapered, aprons. We have three models and 29 different fabrics. Our Cargo and Casual models are fastened with buttons; the Dress model uses three straps and buckles. A kilt can be ordered with a low, mid- or high-rise waist, and with Traditional above-the-knee, mid- or even bottom-of-the-knee hem. We chose not to charge a "fat tax" or "tall tax".

The Freedom Kilts Guarantee states:

"I personally guarantee that every Freedom Kilt is made from the highest quality materials I can find, and with the best construction that I am capable of producing. If you are unsatisfied with the quality of materials or quality of construction for any reason, I will, at your request, repair your kilt or replace it with a comparable one. Or if you prefer, I will refund your full puchase price."

We are constantly striving to improve our product, and our service, and appreciate feedback -- both positive and negative.

[Sylvain]

Freedom Kilts offers full traditional pleats with full width, tapered, aprons. We have three models and 29 different fabrics. Our Cargo and Casual models are fastened with buttons; the Dress model uses three straps and buckles.

Would it be suitable to offer a casual kilt fastened with straps?
I think I would be most interested in such a model.

Sylvain

[The Wizard of BC]

Sylvain,

The Dress Model was specifically designed to answer just your request.

The Dress Model IS the Casual Model with Straps and Buckles.

But to get unparralled swish I increased the pleat depth which also increases the amount of fabric used.

I also had to move the Side Slash Pockets so the straps would not interfere.

If you like your kilts to sit at the Low Rise or Mid Rise position of the Casual Model but want the Strap and Buckle clouser simply order a Dress Model and specify the Rise you wish.