At first glance...

[Robin]

Two basic black leather daywear sporrans, at first glance they're pretty much the same...different flap shape and somewhat different tassels.
Sporrans like these cost between $20,00 and $55,00...a huge difference

So...it makes sense to buy the cheapest....or not?

Maybe not....a picture is 2 dimensional. What you see is what you get? nope! You want to buy a useful sporran, not a nice picture

So...what's the difference?

Leather:
#1 stiff leather, feels a bit like cardboard.
#2 firm but supple leather, thicker as #1

Tassels:
#1 stiff leather, a plastic cap.
#2 supple leather, bound with leather.

Construction:
#1 stitching seems okey, flimsy D-ring strap, pathetic chain strap.
#2 stiching very nice, sturdy D-ring strap, good chain strap.

Workability:
#1 expands to 4cm (1 5/8") not much room inside.
#2 expands to 6cm (2 3/8") much more room (still not a Freelander of course).

Origin:
#1 unknown.
#2 made in Scotland.

Conclusion:
#1 looks okey from a distance, but not very workable.
#2 looks okey and it's a workable sporran.

So...is it wise to spend $55,00 for #2? No...$55,00 is over the top, you can find them much cheaper, but not for $20,00.

[McMurdo]

Between the two I would spend the extra on number two, however if all I had to go by was a picture I might opt for number one, they really do look similar from the pictures it's the description which sets number two apart. Unfortunately sometimes all you get is a picture as always Caveat emptor.

[Robin]

I know it's difficult and even the description can be misleading or even outright wrong.

The only way to be 100% sure is...walk into a shop and see and feel the product, but since few live near a kilt shop most must rely on internet shops. Most shops are very reliable...some are not (or is it the other way round?)

Dare to ask questions and don't expect good quality for peanuts.

[McMurdo]

Yep you've got that right I am very lucky to have a multitude of tartan shops close by, I really do not think I would have been comfortable in ordering a Handsewn Isle of Skye 16ozer online it was great to go into the shop and see the wool, get measured up correctly and have that personal touch.

I am sure I could have found it or something similar online cheaper but I would have missed out on the personal touches that come with a good sales staff and people who actually care about the client. If I was only concerned about the bottom line I really do not think that the kilt would be my garment of choice, lets face it with highland wear you really do get what you pay for.

It is wonderful that there are shops out there that allow people to get into it without taking out a second mortgage, however it is also good to see that there are those out there who will cater to someone who does not mind spending more to get more.

[Kilted Christian]

You know, the thing about buying without being able to hold it, really examine it is that you're gambling. You have to decide if you think it might be worth the price even if you end up not crazy about it and you can't return it or if the shipping and restocking makes it not worthwhile. This becomes an individual thing. Good luck.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I'll add to this post that I just bought a very plain (to the eye), simple black leather sporran. I've been looking for one to use for casual wear for quite some time. I won't say how much I paid for it, but let's just say it was quite a bit more than I anticipated spending on a fairly simple sporran. But it was worth it. Why? Because of the quality.

To look at it, it's just a simple black leather sporran (no tassells, no metal, no embossing, nothing like that). But it's made out of very fine, soft leather (feels like butter!), the craftsmanship is top notch, the pouch is very large (I can actually fit more into it than any of my other sporrans), and it is quite comfortable to wear. All in all, I can say that when you have it in hand, and are actually wearing it, you can easily see that it is worth the cost. But if I had just seen a picture of it on line, I would not have paid that much.

I think there is a tendency to equate plain, simple looking sporrans with inexpensive (i.e. cheap) sporrans, but this is not necessarily the case. And that's why I looked high and low for so long for a plain style sporran that I was happy with the quality of.

Aye,
Matt

[Robin]

I had the #1 sporrans, but I found out I could offer a better quality for the same price (a bit less profit...true). They're not bad, but there is a significant difference. I sold them all at the highland games with a discount and switched to #2 because they're nicer.

Makes me feel better and my customers get more for their money.

Trial and error

[Robin]

@ Matt:

I've seen something you describe in Scotland and I fell in love with it, but my dear wife saw the price tag and the look in her eyes made me buy a pair of kilt hose instead

[Archangel]

I fell for the thin one on ebay. Couldn't really give a negative feedback since he never mentioned thickness and I didn't ask. Never used it.

Saw R-kilts, liked it, bought it, give him excellent feedback.

Agree with moral of first post.

[Tattoo Bradley]

I know EXACTLY what you're talking about. I have one of the "cheaper" black ones you talk about (#1.) I also have what I feel is #2, but in brown. The difference is WELL worth the little extra money.