My hand made sporran (made from old boots)

**pugcasso** · 8th September 12, 09:15 AM

I've been wearing my kilts everyday outside for almost a year now (in October) and I've never had a sporran. Yesterday I got the idea that perhaps I could make something using these boots I got from the Army/Navy surplus store (I got these boots in the winter but after only a few times, I realized they were hard and not good for my feet).

front

back

opened

inside

leftover boots

It's a bit square at the bottom but it was a good project (started it yesterday and finished it today). At least those painful boots can be of some use. Now I need some belt to hold it on.

I used my new Victorinox 'Hunter' knife for making this. This has the perfect combination of tools (for what I wanted which was basically walking in the woods) and still remains thin enough to be comfortable in the hand (as opposed to knives with countless tools which are too thick). Next to the cork opener is an auger (with a hole for threading thick thread). This was used for drilling all the holes for threading the boot laces used to tie this sporran together. The main blade is locking (which I definitely wanted). The saw blade is great (cuts wood very well) and something I wanted . The shorter curved slightly serrated blade (I guess a 'gutting blade') is great as a cutter of cords (would be great as an emergency seat belt cutter).

Victorinox 'Hunter'

**bodhran4me** · 8th September 12, 11:36 AM

That has a great look to it. I have seen your pics with the leg wrappings for cold weather and this looks to fit perfectly with that practical style. I do wonder if the lacing is close enough to keep tiny items from slipping through. Maybe putting in a liner is a good idea, maybe not. Let us know how it works out for you.

Now how about a shot of you wearing it?

**tulloch** · 8th September 12, 11:49 AM

Very handy with that thing. Good work.

**Clockwork** · 8th September 12, 12:38 PM

Very well done; I'm one who believe in making use of what's available. Hard boots are certainly no good for the feet, so I'm glad you could find a better use for them!

Cheers,
-Jake

**Friday** · 8th September 12, 01:23 PM

Good eye, always like looking at things, not for what the designer thought they should, be but what I want it to be. Every nice work.

**pugcasso** · 8th September 12, 01:45 PM

thanks folks ...

I need to readjust how the flap is attached on back to allow a space for the belt to slide under ....and actually get a belt so I can take a pic with this sporran on.

I've never even worn a sporran so having something up front is a bit odd (I tried it out just using another boot lace ... boot laces are very handy)

If I find the long braided tassles a bit too much , I can un-knot them and undo some of the braid and knot a bit shorter.

The interior of the boots had a thinner tan leather and I still have that inside (might sew the bottom edges together to make a secure inner pocket but nothing small will go in this anyway (probably just my wallet , small change bag, maybe small pipe and the above-mentioned knife).

The folded inward sides of the bag have the front edges of the boot with the eyelets (where the boots were laces up) now act to tie the front and back together (using the bootlaces).

It was kind of fun converting this into something other than what it was originally.

**ScotFree** · 9th September 12, 07:20 AM

Wow, that's awesome. Way to recycle unused stuff ... very commendable. And it makes a very cool looking sporran. Well done!

**Riverkilt** · 9th September 12, 07:59 AM

Ingenious! You've got me looking at old boots in the thrift store in a brand new way!

**Elf** · 10th September 12, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by pugcasso

thanks folks ...

I've never even worn a sporran so having something up front is a bit odd (I tried it out just using another boot lace ... boot laces are very handy)

If I find the long braided tassles a bit too much , I can un-knot them and undo some of the braid and knot a bit shorter.

Try the sporran at different heights. I know that I went through a transition as to what I found comfortable. Also regarding the tassles, If you made it, you should have the skills and certainly the right to alter it, possibly more than once.

Overall, it looks fantastic. I had seen historic hunting pouches made from old boots, but they were of the Wellington variety. Using a modern lace up boot gives this project a great earthy feel. It opens up whole new possibilities. Thank you very much for sharing this project.