your opinions on kilt belt and sporran

[Fedgunner]

I know how military belts work.... How did you affix the buckle?

I really like the look.

Jack

[Moosedog]

I agree with others who noted the sporran strap looks a bit wide. Just a plain heavy webbing but narrower would look a bit smoother in my opinion. Yes, and a Nightstalker would be nice but I like the "sporran" fine as is, everyone likes, um... different shapes and sizes so whatever is comfortable and functional. But I think you put it all together quite well!

Moosedog

[Riverkilt]

Good for you Warwick,

I do so love pushing the envelope. That's a beautiful buckle. That's a great idea for a sporran. I'm so-so on the belt and strap but if you like it enjoy and be proud.

Let creativity reign!

Ron

[Kiltman]

I love the belts but I think the sporran isn't quite the right shape (my opinion anyway).

The sporran might be just a little too small. But, it's a great idea. I have done enough research into sporrans to know that there are many, many shapes. Don't know for sure, just my opinion.

[dpseadvr]

like the belt but the sporran looks a lot like a camera case or a murse (man purse)

[fluter]

warwick, I like the whole thing. I especially like what you've done with the buckle.

You can play around with it by swapping out any individual component, but the ensemble works for me. If you like it, by all means wear it. Congrats for original thinking and extra points for style.


If the sporran gets in your way at any point (walking, sitting, driving), you can simply slide it around. It can sit on the thigh or at your side. That's the beauty of a sporran strap.

The proportions of the belts and the sporran look good to me. That's a long kilt worn at high rise, so you have a good-sized "canvas" to work in.

The sporran itself looks like it would be very practical in use. After comfort, that will be the deciding factor: does it hold your stuff, and hold it conveniently? Use it for a while, and you can make an informed choice when you go shopping again.

[warwick]

How do you paint a metal buckle?

I don't know what metal the buckle is made of, but it had a smooth "silver" finish. I used a scotch pad to rough up the surface. Then i used a degreaser(probably xylene) to remove dust, oil, finger prints. Let it dry, then i used a can of krylon ultra flat black spray paint. I used light coats at first, spraying at an angle on all four sides. The celtic knot work is hard to get good coverage. After several light coats i sprayed two heavy coats. I can't say if the paint will hold up, i haven't worn the belt that much. I hope it will wear some on the high spots, should have a nice look. Hopefully it will not peel or chip, however if it dose i can touch it up.

Why did you cut the buckles off and go to pins?

This is my first and only kilt. I chose a stillwater economy so i could get use to wearing a kilt( this took about 30 seconds ) without much investment. I ordered my kilt for my winter waist. After shedding a few inches i ran out of strap. During this time i grew to hate the buckles, so instead of moving them i cut everything off. I like the military safety pins for the convenience and comfort. When i work on my jeep or in the yard i wear the kilt higher on my ribs and above my knee. When i wear the kilt as casual outfit i wear it at my natural waist and at my knee. When i wear the kilt around the house i wear it low on my hips and below my knee. The pins allow me to fine tune the fit so all three position are possible and comfortable.

How did you affix the buckle?

If you have never worn/seen a US pistol belt or a kilt belt buckle this will not make any sense.

I used the newer pistol belt with plastic "snap" buckle[ pic here ] and i did all my work on the female buckle [left side]

The metal "lock" for the alligator clamp needs to be removed. I pried it open on the bottom, then you can open it up enough to remove it from the belt. After opening the end snap and aligator clamp you have to feed the belt end through the alligator clamp [the hard part of this project] keep at it will go through. then feed the belt end through the female buckle. now feed your kilt buckle onto the belt, then feed the female buckle back on. Take note of both buckles position so they don't go on backwards or upside down. Feed the end back through the alligator clamp [grrrr stupid thing] have a Guinness and a smoke then finish feeding the nylon thing through the metal thing. Put the metal "lock" back on and close the metal strap, if the metal strap fatigues and snaps i think epoxy or jbweld should hold it.

or

Use a pair of dikes to cut the strap post [at the base] on the back of the kilt belt. slide it through the loop between the aligator clamp and female buckle. Then sodder,epoxy or jbweld the post back to the buckle. I decided against doing it this way. I wasn't sure if the metal strap would fatigue, also i didn't think it would hold up to the last step.

Take both buckles and rotate them back on the belt. Rotate the kilt buckle forward and put the hook over the nylon buckle. When you put the belt on the male buckle helps the kilt buckle "lock" in place.

Once you have the belt and kilt buckle in front of you it will make sense. The snaps are a pain to get throught alligator clamp. However i think the fifteen to twenty minutes it takes is worth it