Sporran Chains vs. Sporran Straps

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

If you are looking for a narrow strap to replace the chains that hold up your sporran, you need look no farther afield than your nearest harness maker. My local harness maker (one of the advantages of living in Mennonite country) made me a superior quality bridle leather strap (5/8 wide and 44 inches long) complete with brass buckle for the paltry sum of $20, including tax. The whole bespoke process took about half an hour, he did a decent job of matching the colour of the sporran, and chatted amiably the whole while.

The shop was a true time-warp, and going in was like stepping back a hundred years or so.

So. If you need a sporran strap look in your local yellow pages under "harness makers". You'll get something much better than the often usual rubbish coming out of China these days.

[JolyStNicholas]

That is truly a grand Idea indeed. I wanted one of those custom sporran chains but the price {$59.00+} was always a bit much. One day while shopping with the Mrs. I found a gorgous metal chain belt in the ladies section
but much to short, I bought it for $29.95 tax inc. and using the leather portion from an existing sporran belt and combining it with the chain I made myself a rather grand sporran chain/belt for my Seal Dress Sporran.

I have enough left over to convert one for friend Iain Robb who is doing a Jacket cut down for me as a gift, for doing the work on the jacket.

[McMurdo]

A capital idea, I find the sporran strap far superior to the chain, better for the kilt too. It's interesting to note that when my Dad got his first sporran about 60 years ago the leather strap was what came with the sporran, now it is hard to find a place that has the strap as the base option.

[BEEDEE]

Great idea. I was going to look for a black strap at Grandfather Mountain but will look locally instead.

Brian

[RockyR]

What about sporran HANGERS? The little straps of leather that suspend the sporran from your belt.

[Rex_Tremende]

I bet they would make those too.

I bought some very nice straps from I think it was Oconee, but they were a hair too long. There happens to be a saddle maker/tack shop right around the corner from where I live, so I stopped in one day to see if he could help. He punched new holes while I waited. When I asked him how much I owed him, he refused payment and said, "Holes are free." a very pleasant transaction.

Regards,
Rex.

[Barb T]

What a wonderful idea!! I love this forum.

[wvpiper]

saddle maker/tack shop right around the corner from where I live,
Rex.

I can't find one locally, at least not in the phone book.

You could also ask a sporran maker. I asked Turpin to make a matching strap for the sporran I bought from him. Had it in a week or so.

[WeaselMender]

At present I do not even own a chain..........I am kinda-sorta thinking I may need one for formal. How say you?

Weasel :ootd:

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

At present I do not even own a chain..........I am kinda-sorta thinking I may need one for formal. How say you?

Weasel :ootd:

I think it really depends on how you choose to dress. I personally think a white leather strap looks the biz with a horsehair sporran, and I'm looking into having a red Moroccan strap made for wear with my seal skin. If you are wearing a full mask sporran, then a very dark brown or black strap is totally okay, even with black tie. If you want something with a bit more flash, you can have your sporran strap tack-decorated.

Several members have suggested sporran hangers, but these only work if you wear a belt-- which I eschew, unless I need to wear a dirk.