Seeking advice: packing (travel) and storing a fur sporran

[MinusHD]

Rabble,

I did some searching on the forum and didn't find much on these topics before I became impatient enough to post.

I got my first fur dress sporran and I need some advice. The specific sporran I purchased is a coyote sporran form UT Kilts (http://www.utkilts.com/formal-dress-coyote-fur-sporran/). It is not an expensive sporran, but I does look nice and I want to take good care of it.

I'm traveling next month and would like to bring it with me for some evening events. Nothing "formal" in the most traditional sense, but I'd like to use it in the evening instead of my Thorfinn day sporran.

Here are my two questions for today:

1. What is the best way to safely pack a fur dress sporran for air travel, likely in checked luggage for this trip?
2. When not in use, what is the best way to store a fur sporran?

Thank you in advance for any wisdom any of you can pass on.

[Tarheel]

Here's what I would do. I would fill the sporran with my hose. That would prevent crushing the sporran and reduce lost space in packing. I would then use an undershirt (or other garment) to wrap the sporran, thus reducing wear on the fur and shedding.

I have my sporrans hanging in my closet on tie racks, filled with newspaper (eliminates moisture collection, retains good shape and can be sprayed with bug repellent if needed).

I've read that other members have drawers where they lay their sporrans flat.

[GrainReaper]

My fur sporran resides on a shelf in the closet laid flat, when traveling I put my garters and/or hose in it, I then smooth the fur and roll up in a t-shirt. Once at my destination I hang in the hotel closet on a hanger with my belt and tie, I hang my kilt with two clippy hangers ala wizard of BC, and hang up my shirts. Everything travels well, sometimes I need to hang my kilt in the bathroom and take a steamy shower, then smoothe out any pleat rumples from being packed.

[ThistleDown]

I've travelled pretty well all my long life with a sporran in my case. Sometimes two. The leather ones just get stuffed with small garments and placed wherever they fit. For years I travelled with a third-generation seal, but I don't do that any more because I won't risk losing it to the stupid emotional laws some countries have adopted. When I did carry it I simply enveloped it in a purpose-made felt bag. I have a friend who wraps his old wildcat in a small flannel blanket.

[MinusHD]

Thank you, gentlemen. I appreciate your practical advice. My coyote will travel stuffed with some socks or hose and wrapped in a t-shirt. I'll just have to stop worrying about packing the bag too tightly - it always happens.

I may be able to clear out a small drawer at home for my sporrans, flashes, kilt-pins, etc. My small closet is a bit space constrained at the moment. Based on a quick experiment the sporran hangs at an angle pretty far off vertical which would require additional space in order to avoid rubbing against other items... unless I'm just doing it wrong.

Thanks, again!

[Taskr]

If you are crossing an international border, it might be a good idea to have an authenticator for the fur. Some furs can cause grief at international crossings and border services don't necessarily know one animal hide from the other.

[MinusHD]

Good Point, Taskr. Fortunately I'll just be staying within the United Sates for this trip. However, If I were travelling internationally I'm not sure what kind of authentication/evidence I could produce that would prove that it is coyote fur and not a banned animal pelt. Do you think the original receipt from UTKilts would be sufficient?

[Taskr]

I'd imagine original invoice/receipt noting the fur type would be sufficient. I'm facing an older, inexpensive sporran with mink and think I'll see a local furrier to provide me a "note" that I'll keep tucked inside - or maybe they've some sort of tag I can sew in.

[tundramanq]

Glad you posted this. It hadn't crossed my mind that the fur(s) would be a customs issue like ivory.

[Stan]

Rabble,

I did some searching on the forum and didn't find much on these topics before I became impatient enough to post.

I got my first fur dress sporran and I need some advice. The specific sporran I purchased is a coyote sporran form UT Kilts (http://www.utkilts.com/formal-dress-coyote-fur-sporran/). It is not an expensive sporran, but I does look nice and I want to take good care of it.

I'm traveling next month and would like to bring it with me for some evening events. Nothing "formal" in the most traditional sense, but I'd like to use it in the evening instead of my Thorfinn day sporran.

Here are my two questions for today:

1. What is the best way to safely pack a fur dress sporran for air travel, likely in checked luggage for this trip?
2. When not in use, what is the best way to store a fur sporran?

Thank you in advance for any wisdom any of you can pass on.

I make fur sporrans, and for traveling (and storage) I put them (and keep them) in one gallon zip lock bags. When storing them I wrap them in white (non dyed) tissue. For travel I leave tissue out.

In the 4 years that I've been making fur sporrans (mink, beaver, badger, skunk, fox, bobcat) this has worked well for me. Others may store them differently, but this is what I do.

Best of luck to you..