Just got my SWK!

**Nick** · 12th March 06, 08:47 PM

SWK 2006 Standard, Hunting McLeod, just came in the mail. It fits just fine on the last hole on the straps (bought it planning on losing weight).

Some initial thoughts. I like the feel and weight of the material. It seems a bit light, but there's a lot of fabric, so that may not be a problem. The buckles and straps are good. The length is 1" to long for me, so it hits the middle of the knee, rather than the top. I think I'll just leave it there, rather than hem in. The selvedge seems a bit rough, and the back is incredibly thick since the pleat material isn't cut out, but those are the only real negative things I've noticed.

I'll be wearing it tomorrow (even though I don't have a belt), so I'll post a review of how it wears.

Cheers,
Nick

**michael steinrok** · 12th March 06, 10:19 PM

Congrats on the new Stillwater.

**MacMullen** · 13th March 06, 01:17 AM

I'll have to keep an eye out for you.

**Southern Breeze** · 13th March 06, 08:32 AM

Congrats on the Stillwater. Addictive aren't they?

**ByDand** · 13th March 06, 09:26 AM

I just got my SWK (Nightstalker) a few weeks ago and love. I am sure you are going to get more of them. They are great for kicking around in. Have fun

**auld argonian** · 13th March 06, 02:33 PM

Wore my SWK Hntng McLd again yesterday and it IS really easy to wear...I still don't know about the length, though...this b*st*rd is at the bottom of my rib cage...I was wearing a sweater over it so I was the only one who knew how high it was.

...are these the "Dockers" of kilts? By that I mean the ones that you can buy "off the rack" and know that you're getting a serviceable product of decent quality?

Best

AA

**flairball** · 13th March 06, 02:54 PM

I know how you feel. I received my SWK Nightstalker today. I can't wait to give it it's maiden voyage. I see more kilts in my future.

**Richland** · 13th March 06, 02:59 PM

New kilts must be celebrated.
Fairball, See you At John Harvards Brew house. Cambridge April 6

**Southern Breeze** · 13th March 06, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

...are these the "Dockers" of kilts? By that I mean the ones that you can buy "off the rack" and know that you're getting a serviceable product of decent quality?

Best

AA

I've never thought of them that way.That would be an accurate description.

**Nick** · 13th March 06, 05:01 PM

Wore it to school and work today, and it ended up being a sort of boot camp test of the kilt. It was quite mild early this morning, but it quickly degenerated into a severe snowstorm with heavy winds. Evening classes were canceled, which is fine by me because I have an evening class on Mondays!

But on to the kilt! I haven't worn a traditional style kilt in a long time, so it was quite different from my modern kilts. I only have my sporran and kilt hose, no belt, and didn't have time to find a kilt pin, so I was a bit spartan.

Though the material feels lighter than my UK Mocker (and certainly lighter than my UK Workman's and PK), I was as warm or warmer than I would have been in my moderns. It's a good thing I was wearing a mid-thigh length jacket, though, otherwise the kilt would have been up around my eyeballs (it was really windy today!)

It took some getting used to the waistline. Actually, I'm still not used to it. And it hits lower on the knee than any of my other kilts, but I don't want to hem it, and it's still higher than the bottom of my kneecap, so it's acceptable.

If I would change one thing, it's the thickness of the back where the pleats are sewn down. Other than that I'm happy with it, and will be wearing it often, as long as there isn't a strong wind. I've got my eye on some other SWKs, especially the Nightstalker and Black Stewart. I'm trying to decide if I want another Standard (a bit of a wait) or a Heavyweight (a longer wait.) I also want to get one of the all-leather sporran straps they carry, but again have to decide between the cheap and nicer ones.

I'd definitly recommend SWK to anyone.