knot and loop closure

[flyrod6057]

I'm working on a D.I.Y. sporran, and I'm intending on using a knot and loop closure. Admittedly, I'm inspired by the Ferguson Britt style. So, I was wondering if there is anyone out there who has photos of the opening on a Ferguson Britt sporran such as the Duin Uasal style? I'm curious how the cantle is constructed, as I'd like to attempt something along those lines.

Anyone have any photos that might help, or any advice?

Thanks,
Brad

[Ryan Ross]

Do these help? The knot Lamar uses is just a single overhand knot, and the cantles are made from successive layers of leather.

[Tobus]

My wife made me a sporran that's similar to the Ferguson Britt ones shown above (though not nearly as detailed or well-made, as she's a saddle-maker, not a sporran-maker). So I can't speak for how he does his specifically, but this seems to work for mine:

From the rear of the sporran, a round-braided leather toggle comes over the top, and is finished with a Turk's-head knot. The front of the sporran has two holes in the leather just below the cantle. A single piece of flat 3-part braided leather comes through these holes so that it forms a loop at the top. Note: both ends of the flat-braided part go through both holes. The intent is that you pull the loop up and put the Turk's-head knot through it, then grab the 'tails' of the flat-braid and pull them down. It tightens the loop over the Turk's-head knot and pulls it snugly over the cantle, keeping it closed.

So what you're seeing in my picture below is the Turk's-head knot with the flat-braided loop pulled snugly over it, and the tails of the flat-braid hanging down (as they emerge from the lower hole in the front of the sporran, which is hidden by the braids).

I don't know if that made sense or not, but there ya go.




And I don't know how Ferguson Britt makes his cantles, but mine were just made from flat-braided leather, stitched down over a couple of other pieces of leather for stiffness. In retrospect, if I were to do another one, I'd embed something even stiffer in there. My sporran tends to gap open a little at the sides when it's stuffed full, because the cantle isn't stiff enough. It was a learning experience, though. I'm sure you'll end up making several of them before you 'fine tune' how you want yours to perform.

[JRB]

Here are some pics of my FB sporran. I hope this helps...

[flyrod6057]

Awesome pics... That helps alot!

[flyrod6057]

Alright.... So I finished my first attempt at a somewhat presentable sporran. I made it out of fairly heavy leather since that's what I had lying around. I used photos of some different Ferguson Britt sporrans as my primary inspiration, and the cantle shape was influenced by Artificer's work. The straps are latigo, which is probably a bit thick for their intended use, but everything works, so I'm calling this a success, even though it's not what I'm looking for in a final product exactly. I have a side of buffalo hide in the garage begging to become a few sporrans, and this project has been a good learning experience. I'd be interested in everyone's feedback/advice/whatever. What do you think??

Here's a picture (forgive the lighting) of the sporran: