Where are Stillwater kilts made?

[Miah]

I think if I buy another kilt this summer or anything it just might be a stillwater. I am all for a cheaper kilt. I have a USA and a BEAR both are awsome and both were right around 100 U.S. but neither have the 3 buckles and all that. As far as I am concerned a company that can make a traditionaly cut kilt with buckles and a lining more power to them. Me personaly I am a mean, angry person and I could care less if there are little Umpa Lumpa singing Willy Wonka songs making the kilts, if it is a decent quality and affordable it's for me. I am past frugal, I am chaep bottom line from what i hear the new heavy weight kilts are nice. If you want to buy American/Canadian/from your friends, go for it. Just don't judge those that that are doing there part to provide a traditionaly cut and buckled kilt for a nice price.

[Magnus Sporrano]

Just an observation...

...in the Stillwater thread I posted an opinion that was perhaps a contrary thought to the original endorsement for Xmarks members to buy these kilts. The mod team swiftly swooped down, quoted one of the recent rules of conduct, and suggested that I start my own thread to go down that road.

I find it interesting that when people come into my thread and post an opinion that is contrary to my line of thinking, the mod team hasn't applied that rule evenly.

Hmmm.

(FWIW, I wouldn't want them to shut down this discussion. But I didn't want them to shut me down in the other thread, either. There is some lively but mostly civilized debate going on here and I think there are some valuable points being made on all sides).

[Kiltedmusiclover]

It's been said that they are made in Pakistan and resold from the US to other points around the world. I haven't seen anyone from SW confirm or deny this. What's the 411?

You wanted to know the information on where
Stillwater kilts were made.
This thread has stayed on topic.
It has been about kilts made in Pakistan and the
difference between them.
That's why it has been allowed to continue.

[Mike n NC]

hese guys are our friends, our brothers, and I think it's worth spending a few more bucks to support them instead of just going for the cheapest deal possible. I'm not exactly hard up for money. I make a decent living. I can afford to pay a little more for a kilt made by someone in our community. For those that can't afford the difference, I'm just happy to see you wearing the kilt. And for those that can afford the difference, it's a personal choice. I won't slight you for making that choice but I do hope I gave you something more to think about when deciding where to buy your kilts & sporrans from than how much it costs.

I'll address this and leave the he/she said, I don't like the rules argument alone.
I have two SK budget kilts that I bought to lounge around the house in and to work when I didn't want to risk one of my other kilts. Are they wonderful kilts? Read the review of them and you'll pretty much get the picture. Do they meet my need and "fill a nitch"? Yes they do! Was there another kilt available at a competitive price? Nope!

I was looking strongly at the standard kilts as a addition to my collection at about the same time the heavyweight kilts hit. I opted for the heavyweight based on several things, Jimmy's comments (he's brutal but honest), the product specs and the price. I was looking for a full measure, easy care, traditional style kilt for day to day wear as well as one that could be dressed up a bit for a night out. Is it a wonderful kilt? From what I have seen and one day of wear, yes! Is it a traditional hand made? A far cry from it. Does it meet my need and "fill a nitch"? Quite well thank you. Was there another traditional style kilt available at a competitive price? Nope. Was it made right here in the good'ol U. S. of A.? No but then again, neither are the traditional scottish handmades. :o

I do have kilts from several other makers in my closet and will continue to add more. I love the kilts I get from USAK, PK, Matt and even the second hand Buzz Kidder canvas. Do I intend to stop buying from our friends here on the board? No way! In fact I'm working on exactly what I want so I can get another order in to Jeff up at PK and I have a hand sewn traditional coming from Alexis Malcom around the frist of next month. Bear is high on my list of "gotta have/try one" also and Freedom, Union and R aren't far behind.

I gotta go with Jimmy on this one. Jerry saw a need, found a way to meet it and has filled that nitch very well.

BTW Jerry, I got the heavyweight yesterday, wore it today and it's great. Just what I was looking for.

Mike

[Mike n NC]

hmm, think I'm seeing double...

My edit: Thanks to who ever removed the second post.

Mike

[swat88eighty]

okay...
we have figured out they are made in pakistan. That DOES NOT mean "sweatshopistan." It means they are made in another country. Let's think about this. The american cost of living and standards of living are very high and so is our minimum wage (compared to SOME other countries.) This may not be the same in pakistan. In america, almost everyone has a car. Almost everyone has a computer. Almost everyone has a more than one room house and more luxuries. In pakistan, I wager a bet that it is the exact opposite and that CPUs, cars, big houses, etc are all the rarity. I could be wrong, I don't research pakistan. If I'm wrong, toss the info out, but don't complain about it.
Another thing to think about- how do you know that the very computer you are typing on wasn't put together under terrible conditions? Have you ever worn addidas shoes? I seem to remember hearing those were made in sweatshops. But it dosen't deter you from buying them, because they are made by a CORPORATE GIANT. SWK is not a corporate giant therfore it is easier to attack them.
I don't know. Personally, I agree with Jimmy in that it is all the rage to attack companies with accusations. BUT, I think it is an HONORABLE thing to do to find out how and where they are made... if those are your morals, than stand for them. Personally, sweat shops DO bother me. If it means I need to pay extra for something that wasn't made in a sweatshop, so be it. But I'm not gonna pay 100.00 extra... because that is at a point where it is ridiculous. I can't even afford to buy a freakin' economy kilt right now. I'm an unemployed teenager who loves the kilt. So for some people, SWK is a godsend.

[Thistle Stop]

Just FYI on this topic, Buzz Kidder's canvas ($99 and up), camo ($99 and up), and poly-rayon tartan ($130 and up) casual kilts are made in America. I am certain of this because I was just talking to him on the phone and I asked him.

I will be retailing all Buzz Kidder products from now on, so if anyone wants something they make, PM or email me and I'll hook you up. I'll get them on my web site eventually, but (as you probably know by now), I am s-l-o-w at getting the web site set up! One nice thing about Buzz's casual kilts, belts, and shirts is that they go up to 3XL in size. And as I think most of the forum members already know, he makes great sporrans!

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Cyndi, is he a GREAT guy or what?!

When we started carrying his sporrans at USAKilts, he was nothing short of a HUGE supporter and friend with a budding business (no pun intended). He always went out of his way to make sure that we had enough stock on-hand, and did everything possible to keep us on the "head list" for shipping. That's something that I'll NEVER forget.

Enjoy him and his travels. It's always fun to be talking to him on his cell phone as he's crossing in to, or out of, Mexico with his business ventures (not the kilt stuff). That's a guys that supports his community, his interests, his employees, and his friends. Buzz is truly a man of character.

[Thistle Stop]

Cyndi, is he a GREAT guy or what?!

When we started carrying his sporrans at USAKilts, he was nothing short of a HUGE supporter and friend with a budding business (no pun intended). He always went out of his way to make sure that we had enough stock on-hand, and did everything possible to keep us on the "head list" for shipping. That's something that I'll NEVER forget.

Enjoy him and his travels. It's always fun to be talking to him on his cell phone as he's crossing in to, or out of, Mexico with his business ventures (not the kilt stuff). That's a guys that supports his community, his interests, his employees, and his friends. Buzz is truly a man of character.

Yes, he is a really nice guy, and so is his brother Bud, judging by the limited contact I've had so far. It seems like an old-fashioned family business, in which they take pride in their work and care about their retailers and consumers. What a breath of fresh air!