FC v. SWK

[Brewboy]

Round 2: Shipping and Receipt

Both orders took but three days to wing their way from Minnesota to Chicago. I was expecting Jerry to take this round, but apparently he has lent Mark his wormhole.

The Frugal Corner

As I said, a Wallace 13 oz. on special. Here are the unworn pics front and back:



I also got the fake fur dress sporran. The sporran was made of a muppetesque material, and is lacking in space. It looks nice but isn't very functional, unless whatever you're putting in there is flat. Here are some pics of the sporran:


And here they are together being worn:


An interesting thing to note, when I was removing the basting stitches from the FC kilt, I came across what I thought was a third row of basting stitches that appeared to be hidden. It turns out that this was where the back lining for the kilt was sewn on. I removed these because it caused the pleats to bunch up right around the butt. The kilt just didn't feel right with them in, and it didn't hang right either. I kept the stitching at the waist so the lining could stay, but the kilt would hang correctly. Here's a pic of the lining:


Stillwater Kilts

This is a gift for my cousin who is coming up tomorrow. I got him the medium Black Watch SWK Thrifty-Kilt. Here are the unworn pictures:


Gift or not, I couldn't help but try it on. I would like to say it was solely for this review, but the fact is I would have probably tried it on anyway. I just can't resist a new kilt. Here it is with the brown belt I got from SWK:


An interesting note: My cousin is a 36, I am a 31 (kilt measurements, not pants waist). The SWK website suggests that the range for the medium Thrifty-Kilt is 34-37, but it fits me. It is at the edge of the velcro, but it just goes to show you how amazingly adjustable this kilt is.

The winner of Round 2

TIE! I was surprised. I was sure that Jerry and Stillwater would win this round. Kudos to both SWK and FC!

Coming soon...Round 3: Wear and Tear

[ncof300d]

Man, iI really like the Wallace....awesome>

[Marshal Moroni]

Brewboy,

This is a great idea for a thread. I too own both SWK's and FC's. I like them both and have had good interactions with the owners of both firms.

I am not nearly as quick with the camera as you are, so I have not posted pictures yet. perhaps once school is out and I have a bit more time.

The Wallace looks great, might have to add that to the want list.

Well, back to lecture planning.

Cheers,

Marshal Moroni

[Buckskin]

I have three standard weights from SWK and one 16oz from Frugal. When the Frugal came in, I laid it out next to one of the standards. They are identical in every way! I wouldn't be surprised if they came from the same supplier. The big difference was touched on. They size totally backward from each other. That is, SWK sizes with buckels at their tightest. Where Frugal sizes at their looses fitting.

[Brewboy]

The 13 oz. and the Thrifty-Kilt material feel spot-on the same, the difference being that the Thrifty Kilt has a velcro closure and the 13 oz. has the 3 buckle closure with belt loops. Other than that they seem identical (we're talking fabric weight).

I think I read something on one of the threads about SWK and FC getting kilts from the same manufacturer.

[Nick the DSM]

what i like about frugal is that they size 28, which i am. however, SWK doesn't have that size for teens they only have it for youth with 20" length but i need 22"

[irishcoloradoan]

I am awaiting the next update to this thread with great anticipation. I've been pondering using FC for a while now (why can't I get football out of my head when i see that?), but haven't decided for absolutely sure.

If I do go with FC are there any hints as to the measuring I need to do? I don't want to have to do it twice!

[Galb]

If I do go with FC are there any hints as to the measuring I need to do? I don't want to have to do it twice!

Yes, there is. With SWK the measurement of the kilt is at the tightest of the strap (hole closest to the kilt). With Frugal, it is on the loosest (hole farthest from the kilt).

[irishcoloradoan]

Yes, there is. With SWK the measurement of the kilt is at the tightest of the strap (hole closest to the kilt). With Frugal, it is on the loosest (hole farthest from the kilt).

Cool! Thanks for the tip!

[Casper]

Yes, there is. With SWK the measurement of the kilt is at the tightest of the strap (hole closest to the kilt). With Frugal, it is on the loosest (hole farthest from the kilt).

Not from my experiences. I have one of each, and both of them fit exactly the same, which is a wee bit bigger than the size listed, at the smallest hole in the buckle.

Also, it's often said that they receive their product from the same mills in Pakistan...