Weight of SWK Heavyweight wool?

**Bugbear** · 24th January 09, 02:00 PM

Ya, something is not right here. My wool half Lamont is much, much heavier than my standard Nightstalker. There's no way to confuse them by weight or texture, for that matter. However, the pleat depth, lining and general construction is basically the same for both.

**Nighthawk** · 24th January 09, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Ted Crocker

Nighthawk, I am very confused now. Did you order a standard (acrylic) saffron or a wool heavyweight saffron?

If those wool shadow tartans are anywhere as light as the standards, then something is very, very, very, very, very wrong here.

I am also confused by your description of the pleats being shallower.

I wanted to stay out of this thread, but it's just not adding up.

I have one of each- I just got my wool today. It seems like it's about an 11oz material- not nearly as heavy as I expected. It doesn't seem to have as much weight. I was really comparing it to my wool Nightstalker. On my Nightstalker, I can stik my fingers into the pleats all the way to my knuckles. On my wool saffron, I can only put in the first two... digits? sections? of my fingers. The pleats seem to be only half as deep, and not as deep as on the standards. However, I've been wearing it all day and it seems to be much more comfortable. It's not any more warm than the standards, but it breathes really well, so my legs stay warm without sweating.

**Bugbear** · 24th January 09, 09:04 PM

Hmmm, this is new information on the pleat depth being not as deep on the shadow tartans. I guess the weight makes a little more sense. I wonder if there is less yardage? Thanks, Nighthawk.

**Riverkilt** · 24th January 09, 09:11 PM

But why are so many people having to guess their kilt's fabric weight????

Why doesn't the vendor clearly state it on the website like most other vendors do?

Ron

**Panache** · 24th January 09, 09:38 PM

You know what would be a great idea folks?

Email Jerry V. at Stillwater and ask him!

He does have a reputation for being pretty darn quick to respond to inquiries about his products.

It is just so crazy it might work!

Cheers

Jamie

**Riverkilt** · 24th January 09, 09:49 PM

Guess 'cause he's not the only one and he's a member of this board...

Ron

**Bugbear** · 24th January 09, 10:42 PM

Think I'll just step back out of this thread now that Nighthawk has clarified his post and description.

* Hold on, I want to respond to Nighthawk's new info with one more post. *

**Nighthawk** · 24th January 09, 10:58 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

But why are so many people having to guess their kilt's fabric weight????

Why doesn't the vendor clearly state it on the website like most other vendors do?

Ron

Honestly, I'm not concerned. I'm not looking for a high end product from Stillwater- just something nice looking that will keep me warm in the winter, and something that I'm not afraid to wear to work. I don't want to wear a $250 USA Kilt to the sign factory that I work in, but an $80 or $120 SWK is not something that I'm especially concerned about. Yeah, it's still a lot of $$, but if one of these gets torn, I don't mind putting a patch on it, where a USAK would be upsetting. So really, I could email Jerry and ask him... but I just don't care enough! I was just posting as a comparison between the three types- the standard, the tartan heavyweight and the saffron heavy. And having worn the saffron for a day, I can say that it does in fact seem to be a bit heavier than the standards. So- onto the pictures:

Here I am wearing my new wool saffron:

I like it a lot. The wool is so much more comfortable to wear than the acrylic. With the acrylics, my legs sweat. With the wool, they don't. I stay warm, but I don't feel like moisture is being held against me. (Wow, I'm gettin' scruffy! I need to shave...)

Pleat depth comparison:

If you look closely, you can see the shadow tartan effect. The pleats need pressed, but most of the look is my flash on the tartan. At first glance, it looks horribly wrinkled, but if you look, you can make out the wrinkles to actually be a pattern. It looks much better in natural light than in the harsh light of my flash just so you all know.

Also, the material on the Nightstalker is noticably thicker. Also, from the Stillwater website: Solid colors average 6-7 yards. So this accounts for the shallow pleats. So there you are- I hope this helps to answer the original question.

**Bugbear** · 25th January 09, 12:53 AM

Oops I didn't know you were going to post more information, Nighthawk. Thanks, It all makes more sense now, and I'm glad you mentioned the yardage difference listed on the web site. I just missed that, but good to know.
Hope you enjoy your new kilt.

I'm gone.

**NewKilt** · 26th January 09, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by ajrimmer

I emailed Jerry the same question about the weights of his wool kilts and was informed that the Shadow kilts are 13oz and the Blackwatch and MacRae are 16oz.-Aaron

Here is the answer. And having 5 of Jerry's wools (including the shadow tartans, the MacRae and Black Watch) plus 12 other wool kilts from different suppliers for comparison, I would concur that this is correct. I'm not concerned that the weights are not posted on the website. Jerry is catering to the first time kilt buyer and if you have questions all you have to do is e-mail him. He has a great reputation, and gets a lot of repeat business.

Darrell