Rough Sporran - Any Suggestions?

[WillowEstate]

Hi Everyone, especially the sporran makers among us!

I have a plain black leather day sporran, which has not been a problem (so far) when worn with my ex-military heavy wool kilt. However, having worn it a few times with my lighter polyviscose kilt, it seems to be "roughing up" the front apron. As you can see from the picture:

DSCF1336.JPG

the back of the sporran is stitched on the outside. The stitching is somewhat rough, as is the manufacturers stamp in the leather. Sorry the picture isn't better - black on black is hard!

One option would be to sand down the stamp until smooth and redo the stitching to try to make it less rough. Alternatively, it might be possible to stick something over the whole back to cover it all up.

Any suggestions which might be the most effective?

Many thanks for your wisdom and experience.

[artificer]

Hi Everyone, especially the sporran makers among us!

I have a plain black leather day sporran, which has not been a problem (so far) when worn with my ex-military heavy wool kilt. However, having worn it a few times with my lighter polyviscose kilt, it seems to be "roughing up" the front apron. As you can see from the picture:

DSCF1336.JPG

the back of the sporran is stitched on the outside. The stitching is somewhat rough, as is the manufacturers stamp in the leather. Sorry the picture isn't better - black on black is hard!

One option would be to sand down the stamp until smooth and redo the stitching to try to make it less rough. Alternatively, it might be possible to stick something over the whole back to cover it all up.

Any suggestions which might be the most effective?

Many thanks for your wisdom and experience.

If I had to guess I'd say it was probably the chain and it's clips that are wearing on your apron, although the edges of the strap keeper may be an issue as well.

I'd be amazed if the maker's mark was the issue.

ith:

[Chas]

Most sporrans of this type have a rough outer edge. The edge is usually not "slicked".

There are tools to do this, but you can do it with what you have to hand.

With a very sharp knife, very slowly, remove a small bevel of leather from that outer edge.

Once there is a bevel, it needs to be slicked. Using an old pair of jeans (Do Not Use Sandpaper), rub that bevelled edge - this will take a long time, but you can do other things like reading or watching TV while doing it. Beware of friction burns!

You will know that you are finished by touch - there will be a smooth slickness to the feel. When in doubt - do an extra 2 or 3 hours!

Regards

Chas

[MNlad]

Most sporrans of this type have a rough outer edge. The edge is usually not "slicked".

Agreed. With a PV or acrylic kilt, it doesn't take much of an edge or rough surface to do a number on the fabric. As noted by artificer, the chain and catch can also be a problem, so check them for any roughness or sharp edges—or switch to a leather sporran strap.

If you don't feel confident taking a knife to the sharp edges of your sporran, you can purchase a small beveler at a fairly modest cost at any leather shop. Run it along the edge of a scrap of leather a few times to get the hang of it. After beveling, slick it up and finish it off with a bit of shoe polish to match the color of your sporran.

Finally, it looks like there is a knot in the stitching at the bottom of the sporran. If it is really rough, you can carefully remove a bit of leather under it and set it flush with a spot of superglue.

[unixken]

After beveling, slick it up and finish it off with a bit of shoe polish to match the color of your sporran.

I would be very careful about the selection of any kind of polish or dye. Since you already have evidence of rubbing, between the sporran and kilt, be mindful of any dyes, etc., that could rub off onto the fabric. Once dried, I would rub any dyed edges with an old white t-shirt until no trace of the dye is evident on the shirt, before wearing the sporran.

[MNlad]

Good addition. Sometimes you just take things like that for granted . . . and shouldn't.