Kilts for the forge

[DragonsTooth]

I am looking for a bit of help. I want to buy a cheap wool (or something a little more spark resistant) for use at the forge when im forging blades at my anvil. I've seen all the poly-blend ones and am not keen to go up in flames. I am also not a fan of the Utilikilts at all.

What other fabrics can be used to create a lightweight and safe kilt and how much (GBP) might I expect to pay for one - preferably in the (modern) Gordon tartan?

Any assistance would be greatly received

(I would also very likely wear a leather apron too but i just wat to see what the consensus is)

[Marine2141]

Why not a kilt made from the same duck cloth that a lot of utility kilts are made from?

[Blupiper]

have you considered a leather apron? I know wool will burn a bit, but not anything dramatic like the synthetics. An apron over the kilt could protect what can be a pretty good investment.

JMB

[Moe]

A leather kilt.

[Kanati]

What about the wrap around cotton apron worn in WW1. Their Cotton, not sure if they are tough enough but I bet they are given what they were used for.

What Price Glory has them.
http://onlinemilitaria.net/products/c150-KILTS/

[ThistleDown]

I used to wear an old wool kilt in my forge-room. It was cool (!) and comfortable and tattered and torn. And I wore a bibbed heavy leather apron not to protect the kilt but to protect me. There were times when I wore woolen trousers, too, but always the same apron.

[IsaacW]

I would go with a 100% wool kilt, perhaps of a cheaper make (Stillwater Kilts or a What Price the Glory) as it will get dirty and possibly burn. I would then wear a leather apron like blacksmiths of past wore.

[uncle remus]

have you thought about sewing your own? there are instructions for an x-kilt free on this sight or just type x-kilt in your search engine. then you could pick your own material for the qualities you want.

[ThistleDown]

I'm not sure I would wear a hair sporran at the forge and although I was not a farrier I can't quite imagine using a ten-pound sledge for shoeing.

My apron falls to just below my knees and has a narrower bib than the ones worn by your two leather-workers, but the purpose is the same: protect you soft spots.

[Kiltboy]

I remember a old thread on this topic. Try below:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ng-kilt-53061/. And if you google his name, you'll find pics. It's a leather kilt in his pictures.

Or this new-ish article for another, implies use of utility kilts:
http://www.lifeinakilt.com/feature/kilt-of-steel/

Might give you some ideas.