Belts

[Mikilt]

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the difference between a sporran belt and a regular belt?

It seems to me that any belt narrow enough to fit through the "pocket" on the back of a sporran could be a sporran belt (provided it was long enough)

Obviously, you wouldn't wear the sporran belt the same way a belt for trousers is worn, but are there other differences?

Many thanks in advance.

~M

[Bugbear]

Back in the day, I replaced the cheap chain straps on all of my sporrans with a couple of regular 3/4 inch dress belts. If that's too wide you can look at the skinnier women's belts. It works fine.

There's other options, as well.

[Mikilt]

Back in the day, I replaced the cheap chain straps on all of my sporrans with a couple of regular 3/4 inch dress belts.

Keep your eyes on the DIY showroom. I have a sporran chain that I've replaced with knotted rope to show off soon.

[Chas]

You can spend a lot of money on a sporran strap or very little on a belt from a charity (goodwill) shop. I have half a dozen big girls' belts. Various colours with various patterns, just waiting for the right sporran. They do exactly the same job.

Regards

Chas

[artificer]

The only concerns I have recommending a 'thrift' belt are these:

Check the edges and back of any belt you are going to be placing against your kilt.
Make sure that the edges are rounded and properly finished. The back should be burnished smooth or lined with a soft leather.

A 'hard' or square edge, especially the kind found on very cheap belts, will chew into your kilt just as fast as a chain, possibly faster.

A rough back can do the same.

ith:

[Chas]

The only concerns I have recommending a 'thrift' belt are these:

Check the edges and back of any belt you are going to be placing against your kilt.
Make sure that the edges are rounded and properly finished. The back should be burnished smooth or lined with a soft leather.

A 'hard' or square edge, especially the kind found on very cheap belts, will chew into your kilt just as fast as a chain, possibly faster.

A rough back can do the same.

ith:

I agree totally. Unfortunately, buying from a supposed reputable retailer is no guarantee of quality. I was given a sporran belt as a gift that was bought at, well, shall we say they are supposed to be the best in Scotland. It was just as you describe. The kilt apron was ruined after six wearings. I was told that the cost was £75 - not inexpensive, but certainly cheap.

The only safe way is to hold the thing in your hands and decide for yourself.

Regards

Chas

[artificer]

I agree totally. Unfortunately, buying from a supposed reputable retailer is no guarantee of quality. I was given a sporran belt as a gift that was bought at, well, shall we say they are supposed to be the best in Scotland. It was just as you describe. The kilt apron was ruined after six wearings. I was told that the cost was £75 - not inexpensive, but certainly cheap.

The only safe way is to hold the thing in your hands and decide for yourself.

Regards

Chas

YOW! £75 is not to be sneezed at for a sporran strap! Sorry to hear about your 'belt malfunction' Chas.


This is the reason I bevel and slick ALL edges on both waist and sporran belts.

Beveling removes the 'square' corner from the strap. Slicking rounds the beveled edge into a smooth half-circle. Then I burnish the backs and edges with wax for a smooth finish.

[Tobus]

It seems to me that any belt narrow enough to fit through the "pocket" on the back of a sporran could be a sporran belt (provided it was long enough)

Obviously, you wouldn't wear the sporran belt the same way a belt for trousers is worn, but are there other differences?

This is just my personal opinion, but I prefer a sporran belt to be a little thicker than a regular belt. Mainly because it's not just acting as a cinch (like a regular trouser belt does). It has to drop in the front and hold the weight of the sporran. So it's acting like more of a hanger strap than a belt. And it will need to twist/stretch a little bit in order to lay correctly.

So I like a sporran belt to be made from a softer, more natural leather that's a bit thicker than what you see on most finished mens' belts. And I absolutely agree that the edges should be beveled and smoothed, and the back should be slick, not rough.

Also, the buckle on some regular belts can be improper for using as a sporran belt. If you wear the buckle at the rear, you don't want a lot of bulk there that makes it uncomfortable when sitting against a backrest.

[Ryan Ross]

YOW! £75 is not to be sneezed at for a sporran strap! Sorry to hear about your 'belt malfunction' Chas.


This is the reason I bevel and slick ALL edges on both waist and sporran belts.

Beveling removes the 'square' corner from the strap. Slicking rounds the beveled edge into a smooth half-circle. Then I burnish the backs and edges with wax for a smooth finish.

Here here! And that work really does make all the difference, not only in terms of how the belt wears on the kilt, but how it looks and feels, as well. A beveled edge looks better, because it allows the edge of the belt to blend into the kilt, rather than standing proud of it and creating the look of a thick piece of leather sitting on top of your kilt. Also, that rounded edge doesn't cut into the wearer either, resulting in more comfort.

[chewse]

Mikilt - I recently had Steve at Oconee Leather Works make me a sporran strap. Oconee Leather Works is one of our vendors on the X-Marks website. I have a couple of very nice sporrans that unfortunately I used a cheap chain strap with. The cheap chain strap just made my sporrans look terrible. For $46, Steve made a large sporran strap (44") for me. Oconee Leather Works has a very good reputation and I knew I was going to get an excellent strap. However, when I receive my strap, I was blown away. The quality of the leather and hardware were of top quality and looked absolutely great! If you go with a sporran strap, I encourage you to check out Oconee Leather Works.