Badger sporran (full-mask) manufacturers/reviews?

[creagdhubh]

Very nice, Rick!

I believe it would also be a good opportunity to point out the fact that there are fundamental differences in how full-mask sporran makers in North America make their sporrans, versus sporran makers in Britian, specifically in Scotland. The main difference is how the head of the animal is positioned and attached to the 'body' of the sporran, acting as the 'lid,' or closure to the sporran's opening (pouch).

As you can see from Rick's lovely badger sporran above, there is quite an expanse of negative (empty) space between the very top of the head in relation to where the top of the sporran 'body' begins. To my eye, the sporran would look far smarter if the body and fur extended all the way up to the top of the animal's head, essentially eliminating the negative space, thus creating a more sleek and complete look.

On most full-mask sporrans made in Scotland, the head is attached to the sporran body in a way that creates a nice 'seam' or continuance of the contour shape of the sporran as a whole, thus having no areas on either side of the sporran's top portion that may seem 'missing.' (think of an oval shape, with a 'V' drawn from the very top of the oval, with each point of the 'V' beginning at the two opposite ends that are parallel to oneanother - this how I have seen full-mask sporrans fashioned in Scotland - both new, bespoke jobs from Kate Macpherson (I am a proud owner of several Kate Macpherson full-mask (head-on) sporrans and I know Kate personally as a member of the Clan Macpherson International Association), and antique versions passed down through the generations.

Now, there is nothing wrong with full-mask sporrans made in North America, using L&M as an example, being fashioned in this manner. All I am stating is an obvious difference in aesthetic and sporran construction, with my personal preference being in favour of the Scottish made full-mask sporrans - not because they are made in Scotland, but because I prefer the way these full-mask sporrans look.

Kate Macpherson Badger Sporrans



Kate Macpherson Mink Sporran


Kate Macpherson Pine Marten Sporran


Kate Macpherson Red Fox Sporran


My friend, Bruce Macpherson of London, wearing a Kate Macpherson Scottish Wildcat Sporran - again, sporran comes with appropriate licence. Scottish Wildcats are indeed a protected species, and have become very rare in Britain, however, this one was found dead (likely killed by a passing motorist) along the A9 near Newtonmore, Inverness-shire. Bruce promptly had the pelt made into a sporran.


My friend, John Macpherson of Montrose, also wearing a Scottish Wildcat full-mask sporran, only this one was not made by Kate Macpherson. This version is over a 100 years old, and has been passed down through his family.


Former personal piper to Her Majesty the Queen, and former P/M of the Argyll-Sutherland Highlanders, P/M Jim Motherwell, wearing a rather large, badger full-mask sporran.


An array of Kate Macpherson's work at her studio located on her farm in the Highlands - wouldn't you love to own every sporran featured on the table?!



Cheers,

[Kiltboy]

The OP wanted some more detailed pictures. Sorry for the delay. Flickr was giving me some grumbles.

[thescot]

If you decide to go with one of the manufacturers you mentioned, I would recommend figuring out a way to see, hold, feel, and try on the sporran. I've sen Clan Leatherworks's products up close and personal, and I came within a hair's breadth of buying at Stone Mountain last year. It was a verywell made, almost beautiful, sporran, and the price is competitive. You won't beat the quality, I think, at least, the quality of the ones I was looking at. But I have also noted that even from the same manufacturer and in the same styles, the individual items vary somewhat. Afterall, they are made from different animals.

Since a full mask sporran is not only an expensive investment, but one that should last several life times, yoiu want to be sure you are delighted with your purchase. You know, your grandson will be wearing it one day.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I also like the European badger over the North American, in terms of appearance, which would tend to steer me to a UK source. Here's one of the one's pictured on Kate macPherson's web site.


Kyle, since you have dealt with her, any idea what she charges for something like the above?

In North America, I can heartily reccomend L&M. We carry their sporrans through the STM gift shop. As has been pointed out, each is unique, since you are dealing with a natural product. One thing about L&M is that they truly do stand by their product. We had a full mask badger sporran ship out to a customer. He ended up having a complaint about how one of the ears on the mask was finished. L&M took the sporran back, no hassle at all, and replaced it post haste. They are great to deal with.

[creagdhubh]

I also like the European badger over the North American, in terms of appearance, which would tend to steer me to a UK source. Here's one of the one's pictured on Kate macPherson's web site.


Kyle, since you have dealt with her, any idea what she charges for something like the above?

In North America, I can heartily reccomend L&M. We carry their sporrans through the STM gift shop. As has been pointed out, each is unique, since you are dealing with a natural product. One thing about L&M is that they truly do stand by their product. We had a full mask badger sporran ship out to a customer. He ended up having a complaint about how one of the ears on the mask was finished. L&M took the sporran back, no hassle at all, and replaced it post haste. They are great to deal with.

Quite right, Matt. L&M is always a delight to work with and their products are of the highest quality - in my opinion, they are one of the finest sporran makers in North America - Scott, you are too!

Matt, the sporran featured in the photo above is that of a badger, the species native to Scotland, with a brass cantle (silver is another option, or your own, bespoke cantle). The sporran would come with either a v-gusset, which lies flatter and has a small pocket area, as in Scottish Regimental fashion, or a 'full pouch,' in order to carry a lot of items. You have the option of what colour leather you prefer - for a badger, I suspect black would look smart, but brown works just as well. Kate is highly sensitive to aesthethics and visual balance; she is a true artist, and will work with you every step of the way. Kate and I at one point had 30 e-mails between one another during the commissioning of one of her sporrans for me.

This sporran retails for around 550 pounds, or presently with the current exchange rate, $859 - rather expensive yes, but Kate's sporrans are soooo well made (her process of creating a full-mask sporran is quite extensive and unique), highly bespoke, and the epitomy of what it means to be heirloom quality...simply, the 'best of the best' of this type of sporran in my opinion.

Kind regards,

[ForresterModern]

When I was in St Andrews 17 months ago for the golf odyssey I stopped into the local kilt shop (two branches of the same one actually) and they had a scottish made full mask black wolf sporran in each, one slightly smaller than the other. What I found interesting about them was that they were made with the mask as a fixed part of the front piece of the bag of the sporran with the opening behind the ears at the top of the head (kind of like a hunting sporran with a small tab that engaged a stud on the back of the back piece of the body) rather than the mask acting as a flap as most of the mask sporrans I have seen were built. It was definitely a more convenient setup for accessing the interior, while still having a pretty standard look of a mask sporran. The only other one I have seen that was similar was a dress/mask sporran of a red fox where the head/mask was at the top of the front piece with a chrome cantle behind the ears, somewhat like the Kate Macpherson shown above. I have since come to appreciate this design more as I bought a red fox mask sporran where the head was the flap, and with fairly stiff ears and a fairly full taxidermy of the head it is difficult to get the flap open far enough to gain access to the pouch because the head/flap remain in the way of seeing into it.
Unfortunately the black wolf sporrans were out of my price range when I was in Scotland---450 and 500gbp each, respectively. But they were indeed gorgeous and well made, definitely something to lust over and an heirloom of distinction.

jeff

[The farqcom]

I have one of the Craigie (?) full mask badgers and it is worth every buck paid. I am just wondering with the talk in England of a trial badger cull, if they will allow the hides to be utilized and perhaps drop the price a bit?

[creagdhubh]

I have one of the Craigie (?) full mask badgers and it is worth every buck paid. I am just wondering with the talk in England of a trial badger cull, if they will allow the hides to be utilized and perhaps drop the price a bit?

Not sure. I do know that all of Kate Macpherson's pelts are roadkill or collected from local crofters and farmers that live near Kate in the Highlands. She issues each sporran with the appropriate licence as well-just in case you ever get questioned by a PC!

[artificer]

I have one of the Craigie (?) full mask badgers and it is worth every buck paid. I am just wondering with the talk in England of a trial badger cull, if they will allow the hides to be utilized and perhaps drop the price a bit?

As far as I understand, the European Badger is currently a protected species. If there is a cull, my guess is that any pelts would be used for the new "Scottish Regiment" or put to some similar use. But that's just a wild guess.

ith:

[Jack Daw]

I have one of the Craigie (?) full mask badgers and it is worth every buck paid. I am just wondering with the talk in England of a trial badger cull, if they will allow the hides to be utilized and perhaps drop the price a bit?

I have a Craigie's badger mask (with the six horse-hair tassels) and I recently acquired the A&S military. I intend to wear the A&S at the Rabbie Burns Supper this weekend. I still like my Craigie's, and have gotten a lot of nice compliments on it, but I admit I have not worn it in a while. Although I'm not a small man, it seems to be a better fit for someone larger than myself.