New sporran from RKilts.

[Whidbey78]

A while back I received a new sporran from Robert Pel at R-Kilts after seeing his first economy sporran on Facebook and asking about an advance order. Long story, so we'll skip that part. I needed to do more than a quick test drive if I was going to fairly evaluate it. Plus, I haven't been on the forums a lot lately. After using it a little over a month and getting to know it well, I can relate my opinion. So, here goes...

The particular sporran I have is the second one in this model, and the first (and likely the only one) in British Rebel Tan. Robert has a picture of this same sporran in his pictures on his FB page. In person, the leather is much better than it appears in my pictures. It's up to Robert whether this leather is ever used in the production sporrans he'll keep in stock, but anything he uses is going to be of good quality.


(I know--the strap is too long. It has since been adjusted...as has the apron of the kilt.)


The workmanship (stitching, pattern, hardware, etc.) is all top notch. While the body and flap are of a very supple leather, there is a stiffener in the back, and the attachment for the sporran strap are of stiffer and heavier leather with both a pair of solid d-rings to attach a strap or chain, and a loop to use a belt. It's all heavy duty stitching. In short, this baby isn't going to fall apart! The flap closes with a magnetic closure, which I have on several other sporrans and have come to appreciate. While a latch or a heavy snap is a little more secure by nature, I have yet to have one come undone unintentionally. The magnet has some serious power and sits in a recess inside the snap. It's almost as solid as a latch, but can be easily opened with one hand, and closing it is a breeze compared to snaps and latches. Once the magnet is close to its recess it just pops in by itself. It sure beats fiddling with something to open and close it. The Celtic themed button on this is not part of the magnetic closure and is purely decorative.

This sporran is similar to ones made by Buzz Kidder. I own one of their sporrans, and the real similarities are in the general shape alone. As I said, this one is built with higher quality materials and workmanship—not that the BK is junk by any means. I also like the simple decorative button when compared to a big chunk of pewter on my BK. Robert's sporran is slightly smaller than my BK (about 3/8 of an inch top to bottom and side to side, and is slightly shallower front to back), but the opening at the top is larger, making getting stuff in and out much easier. It's big enough to hold my smart-phone, wallet, keys, and MacGyver knife, Skoal can, my daughter's pacifier with a bit room to spare. Overall usable capacity is astonishingly good thanks to its shape and larger opening.

Long story short, this thing has already replaced the BK as my everyday sporran. Why not? It's better looking, easier to wear and use, and even smells nicer (the leather smell is still pretty strong). On top of that, the price was better too. Most BK's I see listed run between $60-$75US, plus shipping. Robert sent me this sweet baby and my total cost was less than that. Keep in mind that this was also an international order—granted it was Canada to the US, but I still got it cheaper than the BK. I can't say enough about the service either. Robert answered every question I had, and also followed up after the deal. As a craftsman who takes pride in his work, I can appreciate that!

The regular production models, both now and down the road, will likely be of a different leather, but it will be high quality. After talking to Robert (at length) I can tell he takes pride in his work and won't use low quality materials. Cosmetically, it might be different, and the design may have seen some slight tweaks between this one and the one he's selling now, but for the most part it's still the same unit.

Don't get me wrong here. This isn't going to replace every sporran you own. It's not really something I'd wear to meet The Queen, but it's an excellent everyday sporran, which is basically all I really use anymore, and is easily the sweetest deal out there.

Thanks for the great work Robert.

Right now, he is running a special deal on the first production run of this sporran, in black, on his website (Click here). Heck of a bargain. The strap is a good deal too with this package.

[tulloch]

Looks great. Thanks for the heads-up.

[LitTrog]

I am a huge fan of well-made simplicity. I need a sporran like that--thanks for the excellent review!

[seanachie]

I received my festival sporran today. No pics of yet but it is just as the picture depicts. It is wonderfully soft and made with the attention and workmanship you would expect from Robert. Because I have a Ranger belt I was expecting the sporran belt to be a bit stiffer but it is wonderfully soft and pliable, but strong, with no break in. Clearly this is an outstanding value and great product. I have been fortunate, I have a sporran Donnie made in his early days of sporran making (Wyvern Leatherworks) that he sold on a special sale but barring that I would be hard pressed to find a sporran this nice for this price.

[Chas]

The winner for me is the simplicity. There is so much to be said for clean, unadorned lines.

As for the sporran strap length - I move mine up and down during the day, depending on what I am doing, sitting, standing, dancing, driving.

Regards

Chas

[Canuck]

Here's a photo of the production model
IMG_1125.jpg
Another in the lineup is a semi-dress
IMG_1150.jpg
And for those wanting to match their tweed kilt
IMG_1152.jpg

Have another one that I've been working on for sometime. Similar to the Festival sporran reviewed above, but a few more bells and whistles At the moment it's called Sporran (with no name)
IMG_1127.jpg

[Whidbey78]

Ahhh. I like this new one as well. The pics on Facebook remind me of the Nightstalker, but with a much more "sporrany" look and feel. I have a big jug full of change that will easily cover the cost too. I still think it's too bad the name "Trapper Keeper" is copyright. Rocky's "Kitchen Sink" works too. Ya know, Robert, you could easily corner the market on practical daywear sporrans!

One question that may have been answered on FB or your website but missed by my eyes: Can this be had in different color combinations? I ask both for other future customers and myself. I already have a color scheme in mind.

I like your kilts, and think they're pretty darn cool, but I'm not really up for a leather one. Just not my thing. On the other hand, I think I have finally found a sporran supplier. I don't spend a ton of money on this stuff, but I'm a loyalist. In the future my kilts are USAK and my sporrans are RKilts.

[crash]

I wore my festival sporran to bagpipe class Wednesday evening and got a compliment on it right away from my friend and instructor Mac. It's a great day sporran.

[Canuck]

Whidbey78, Depending on what colours I have in stock other colour combinations may be considered.

[lukeyrobertson]

Hi Whidbey, I've ordered a semi-dress version of the Festival sporran. I can’t wait to wear it. There's a photo of it in a separate thread. Thanks for your review of this sporran. It helped me step out and buy one.