Leather Kilts, Compare and Contrast RKilt and UK

**Riverkilt** · 5th March 05, 08:24 PM

Yes, I have this addiction BAD

Don't know how helpful this will be since these two kilts are like the rose and the orchid, both beautiful flowers, one is not "better" than the other.

Kilts in Question are my UK brown leather and my RKilt saffron leather.

Price: $764.90 with freight for UK, $745 with freight for the RK.

Weight: Both weigh in at 4 1/2 lbs

Thickness: Didn't have a guage, but they both feel the same. UK has a smooth finish outside like a baseball glove, inside finish is soft. RK has a soft finish on both sides.

Apron Width. UK is their standard 9". RK is full apron Traditional look at 16 1/4".

Closures: UK has their standard V of snaps on the apron plus two sets of waist snaps. UK also has corset type leather lacing on each side with a folding pleat behind that has a 4" range on each side, totaling 8" of waist size adjustment. RKilt has the Traditional three belt adjustment. Belts are riveted to the leather, solid brass buckles. The belt length allows 3" adjustment on each side for a total of 6" of waist size adjustment.

Pleat depth: 2" for the UK, 2 1/2" for the RKilt

Number of pleats: 20 for both (not counting pleats involved with the aprons) that's for my 41" belly.

Inside pleats: UK inside pleats are sewn except for two looping pleats behind the corset lacing. Rkilts has only five inside pleats sewn, the rest are looped.

Pockets: UK has one pocket on the right hip with leather flap. Standard inside cloth pocket. RKilt has two expandable leather cargo pockets on each side. The pockets have leather flaps that snap shut. Inside has two compartments. Outside the pockets are split into two. The cargo pockets are riveted to the leather kilt.

Belt Loops: UK has nine 3 1/2" loops (two are doubled in the usual UK style). RKilts has ten 2 1/4" loops. Two of them are heavy leather.

Logo: UK has their logo embroidered on the hip pocket flap. RKilt has their logo stamped on each tool strap.

Other Stuff: UK has no other stuff. RKilt has 2 leather pull out tool straps, a D ring and a J clip.

Hem: Both UK and RKilt hems are raw edge

Sizes: Both UK and RKilt offer size ranges and beer gut options. RKilt was open to "custom" sizes like for a Traditional tartan kilt since their leather kilts are cut to order for the individual.

Colors: UK is currently offering only black. RKilts offers black, brown, British tan, saffron, burgandy, and dark navy blue. RKilt has also said they might be able to get other leather colors. Notice they have green in their leather sporrans, might be available for kilts too.

Accessories: UK has belts. RKilt offers belts, sporrans of the same leather, and flashes of the same leather.

Jones time: Obviously it varies. I waited about 8 weeks for my UK leather kilt and three weeks for my RKilt leather kilt.

Hope that's helpful. If I left anything out or overlooked anything it wasn't intentional.

Everyone should own a leather kilt.

Ron

**GMan** · 5th March 05, 10:29 PM

Great comparison Ron! Thank you.

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 6th March 05, 10:10 AM

OUTSTANDING work and analysis buddy! 8)

IF I was to go the leather route (which I might when finances are at that point) I'll be going with an RKilt. I'm sure the UtiliKilt is great (I saw Steven in his) but I REALLY like the more "traditional" construction of Robert's work.

THIS is EXACTLY what we need with the different kilt manufacturers. Links to the various companies are wonderful, but an honest and "non-partisan" appraisal is EXACTLY what we need here.

Let's hope your thread starts a trend for "seasoned" kilt wearers to give an HONEST comparison for everyone.

Again... GREAT work!