A new sporran for Jock?

**Jock Scot** · 9th June 10, 03:03 AM

Alright then chaps time for me to glean an idea,or fifty, from you chaps with up to date ideas.

I am looking for a formal(dress) sporran for evening wear. BUT I don't want fur,or hair of any kind(I have gone off fur). I am happy with leather though and it will need to be along fairly traditional lines. I think a silver cantle will be required too. So all ideas and pictures will be very welcome. Designs are welcome, as I am happy to have the one I like made and of course credit will be given to the designer.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 9th June 10, 03:49 AM

Well the first thing that springs to mind is a "hunting" style sporran with a metal cantel top, similar to this one from L&M.

If you wanted to customize it a bit and make it look less "standard" you could create a design with different colored leathers for contrast, such as this blue one (also L&M).

One way of "dressing up" a leather sporran without fur is to use a more exotic skin for the leather. This is a sting ray sporran from Ferguson Britt.

He doesn't use metal cantles, so if that's important to you another sporran maker might be able to get Ray Skin. However, I don't believe metal cantles to be absolute requirements for formal sporrans myself.

**JSFMACLJR** · 9th June 10, 05:07 AM

What a fun project, Jock! Not too long ago, I posted that I would like a dress sporran made out of the finest black suede. I would consider basing it on these sporrans:

By far my favourite of these three sporrans is the first. This style of tassel would be essential, I think, for a suede sporran. You would need something "flashy." I particularly like the cantle, which could be worked up with some form of your armorial bearings, even a stylised clan plant badge.. Hamilton & Inches silversmiths are salivating on the sidelines!

Again, the second sporran has striking tassels, and a very fine cantle.

The third sporran is quite simple. Of course you should add tassels, and maybe a bit larger cantle, but the simple, basic style of this sporran is quite elegant.

Have fun with this one, Jock!

**creagdhubh** · 14th June 10, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by JSFMACLJR

What a fun project, Jock! Not too long ago, I posted that I would like a dress sporran made out of the finest black suede. I would consider basing it on these sporrans:

By far my favourite of these three sporrans is the first. This style of tassel would be essential, I think, for a suede sporran. You would need something "flashy." I particularly like the cantle, which could be worked up with some form of your armorial bearings, even a stylised clan plant badge.. Hamilton & Inches silversmiths are salivating on the sidelines!

Again, the second sporran has striking tassels, and a very fine cantle.

The third sporran is quite simple. Of course you should add tassels, and maybe a bit larger cantle, but the simple, basic style of this sporran is quite elegant.

Have fun with this one, Jock!

Sandy,

The photos of the sporrans above are absolutely lovely! Are the custom designs from a particular maker? I would love to know more about where they came from and who made them. Thanks.

Cheers,

**JSFMACLJR** · 15th June 10, 04:52 AM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

Sandy,

The photos of the sporrans above are absolutely lovely! Are the custom designs from a particular maker? I would love to know more about where they came from and who made them. Thanks.

Cheers,

Kyle, these three sporrans were all up for auction at one time or another. I found them online, and saved the photos. The first one truly is beautiful.

Sandy

**creagdhubh** · 15th June 10, 01:17 PM

I absolutely love the first sporran depicted in your set of photos as well Sandy! Thanks for your help.

Cheers,

**artificer** · 9th June 10, 05:08 AM

I think Jock would look smashing in a Stingray sporran!

**Micric** · 9th June 10, 07:00 AM

Not trying to speak for Jock or anything, but I'm not sure suede would be classified as hard wearing enough by some.
What I mean is, suede has a tendency to go greasy-looking when handled much, so would have a shorter working life than leather. This factor alone would steer me away from it, as I like things that will last my lifetime, and the childrens lifetimes as well!

...that's just my thoughts though!!

**JSFMACLJR** · 9th June 10, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by Micric

Not trying to speak for Jock or anything, but I'm not sure suede would be classified as hard wearing enough by some.
What I mean is, suede has a tendency to go greasy-looking when handled much, so would have a shorter working life than leather. This factor alone would steer me away from it, as I like things that will last my lifetime, and the childrens lifetimes as well!

...that's just my thoughts though!!

Good point, but we are talking about a dress sporran, one that would not be worn too often.

Velvet might be an alternative.

**CMcG** · 9th June 10, 08:20 AM

I agree with Mr. Newsome that a hunting sporran with cantle would be a great way to go.

Another option would be a formal sporran made of leather, like this one from L&M. To my eye these look just a tad more formal than a hunting sporran because of the tassels. The coloured inlay is available in blue (as shown), red, and green: