Review- Artificer 12MK2: Love at First Bite

[Ryan Ross]

Several months ago, I noticed a sporran thread in the DIY section and took a look. I was immediately impressed with the craftsmanship of the gentleman who started the thread, and doubly so when I read that it was his first ever sporran. As the weeks rolled by, I watched his subsequent creations take shape, and his work just kept getting better; I had to keep an eye on this fellow!

Well, flash forward a few months, and I was commissioning one of his excelent sporrans, to my great delight. This man, whom we all now know as Artificer(or Scott), is a heck of a guy and wonderful to work with. When we first started talking about a sporran, he slotted me into his queue and gave me a time frame in which my sporran would be completed(which he kept to a tee). At that point, we started talking about the job itself, and Scott displayed an enormous knowledge of both leather working techniques and the qualities of different types of leather. Scott, of course, also went over different sporran designs, closures, and methods of edge finishing.

In the end, what I wanted was a very simple military style day sporran, but made with hand craftsmanship and top drawer materials. For the exterior, I requested a classic black, but at the Artificer's suggestion and wanting something that was both unique and a nod to tradition, I opted for a rich red. Upon putting two and two together, I realized that the black exterior and red interior reminded me of a vampire's cape. True to my own custom, I named the yet unfinished sporran Lugosi, after the star of the 1931 film adaptation of Dracula. Little did I know that my decision would place a gypsy curse, direct from the old country, on the unsuspecting sporran.

Back to construction, work on Lugosi began just when I was told it would, and Scott was even kind enough to detail the construction in one of his WIP threads. We had talked about the possibility of using a rather unconventional method of forming the bag, which was also quite risky and might have ended in disaster- which it did! There was an epic leather tear in the MK1 sporran(see the original thread for a rundown), which necessitated that Scott start from scratch; the gypsy curse had struck it's first blow. Undaunted, Scott fired back, picking up his awl and completing the MK2 sporran in a matter of days! The fellow is a machine!

...and Lugosi was ALIIIIVE!!!

With the project completed, I realized that I would be out of town when Lugosi was to be delivered, and quickly informed Scott. He responded immediately, and informed me that he would hold the sporran long enough for it to be delivered the day I returned. This, Scott did. Unbeknownst to either of us, however, Lugosi was going on an all expenses paid trip, courtesy of the United States Postal Service... to sunny PUERTO RICO.

The gypsy curse had struck again, for alas, I live in Georgia. Scott was all over the USPS' goof-up like stink on a skunk, and kept me informed of Lugosi's whereabouts at all times. He arrived safely into my custody at 5 pm EST, only two days after his initial arrival date.

Upon opening the beautifully packed box(by now, covered with stickers from every place between Madison and San Juan), I was confronted with this:

(bubble wrap removed and contents rearranged and placed atop a kilt for better display in the photograph)

Review/epically long-winded anecdote continued in next post. (If you've made it this far, you might as well read on!)

[CMcG]

<snip>

Review/epically long-winded anecdote continued in next post. (If you've made it this far, you might as well read on!)

Keep it coming!

[Ryan Ross]

Scott takes wonderful pictures, so I knew what to expect when I opened the package... or I thought I did. No pictures(especially mine) could do this sporran justice. After reading the customized care sheet and opening the protective microfiber sporran bag, I was truly taken aback with the richness of the leather and the cleanness of the design and stitching. And Scott's hand stitching is beyond reproach; check out the edge burnishing, too:





As I opened Lugosi via the Sam Browne stud, I immediately knew I had done well to go with Scott's suggestion of a red interior.



Here's the back, with strap keeper, serial number, and makers mark:



The size is a perfect balance to my size, as well as the 2.5 inch wide belts that I prefer. Also, it rides very comfortably, staying in balance even when loaded down, as it is in this picture.



Scott's work is absolutely first class in every respect, from his communication, to his design, to his materials choice and superb craftsmanship. I'm really looking forward to working with Scott again in the future, just as I'm really looking forward to breaking Lugosi in and watching the sporran gain the fine patina of use.



Gah- I almost forgot. This sporran holds quite a bit and has an opening that's easy to get my gnarly mitts into. I carry a bifold the size of a side of beef, and even with that in the bottom, Lugosi can hold all of my other necessities...



Thanks for reading, folks! What do y'all think?

[CMcG]

I think that if that sporran is every bit as well-made and high-quality as it appears, it will outlast us all... and then some!

The simplicity of design and attention to detail is really impressive

[BLHS209]

Thank you for the great shots and final chapters to #12 (shouldn't it #13 if it is Lugosi??). The photos definitely shows Artificer's attention to detail. Congratulations on your new arrival.

Chris Shepherd

[Drac]

Sweet doesn't begin to describe it.

Jim

[JerseyLawyer]

I'm jealous! I want one. :P

[Downunder Kilt]

Great looking sporran and love that red interior. As with all of Artificers handmade sporrans, it's built to outlast us all.

[ShaunMaxwell]

Awesome sporran, great review. Another work of art by the Artificer!

[Mael Coluim]

That is indeed a splendid sporran and quite a heirloom. Well done, Artificer!