Any sources for sporran cantles? or taking down the chrome shine.

[gwynng]

I have a couple of sporrans, one of which I love a really nice black deer or elk hide, rugged, well made; the other is well...shiny. It is like a bazillion other sporrans out there called "dress" sporrans. It is that same typical with a pressed-metal-dipped-in-too-shiny-chrome cantle. They are all pretty much the same arc with about 3-4 design variations on them, but all fairly bright and well SHINY. I don't want to throw any disparaging remarks out there about the look because I know you all probably have one that is similar, but I am not a shiny kind of guy. I love the elk hide, but it is a little too casual for dress.

SO...is there a resource for good sporran cantles that don't cost as much as a 5 yard kilt? I keep looking but run up against the same few pseudo Celtic designs. (HEY MASS PRODUCING SPORRAN MAKERS WHO ARE LISTENING, OFFER US A MATTE OR BRUSHED NICKLE OPTION)

Or is there any experience out there with someone who has successfully "aged" or otherwise changed their shiny chrome cantle to a surface that is more subdued/tasteful?

Thanks,
G

[Tobus]

I don't know any tips for aging or distressing a shiny chrome/nickel cantle to look less shiny. However, there are lots of sporran cantles out there on the market that aren't shiny.

Clan Art has some that are "antiqued", or made with a grainy surface so they don't come across as shiny.

Or you could buy an el-cheapo sporran off eBay and put a new bag on the cantle (this one is black).

[Thomas H]

Take it apart and Sand Blast it or make one out of Aluminum , then it will be something you made.
Or have someone from the forum make you a cantle , There are alot of people on here that could do it.
I would do it out of Aluminum . brushed or sand blasted .

[Germankilter]

Antiquing? Steel wool comes to mind. It would certainly give you a less shiny look and possibly a two time look with the low spots being shiny and the high spot less. Also you could paint it and do the same thing. I just bought a sporron that is two tone black in the low spots and shiny in the high spots, hoping it loos as good as it does on the website.

[David Thorpe]

Getting rid of the shine is easy. Make sure it is squeaky clean. Paint it with acrylic artist color Mars black *the high spots don't matter but the low ones need to be covered. Allow to dry thoroughly. Buff with 4-0 steel wool, starting lightly and getting firmer until you have left only the black you want. This works with most metal items - cantles, cap badges, kilt pins, silver buttons, etc., etc...

[brewerpaul]

I had a shinny chrome dress sporran and chrome buckle that I did a remake on. Used Liquid Leaf, found in craft stores, and an acrylic spray over to antique it. Here are a couple of before and after photos. Im not a fan of chrome, except on old cars, so Im quite happy with the final product.

Chrome and shine sporran from Heritage of Scotland



I didnt have a photo of the buckle all shinny but here is the finished product of both sporran and buckle.



I used a mix of silver and gold to give it almost a pewter look. I found some chain to match and redid the sporran chain belt. This combo Ill wear.