Looking for a Plain Leather Sporran

[CMcG]

I used to have a simple black leather sporran, which, unfortunately, got lost Kind of makes me glad I didn't spend the money on an heirloom quality piece, only to have it disappear when I moved to Hong Kong for a year and put my stuff in storage It is the one on the left in the picture below:


It was just a stiff, cheap, 3 tassel day sporran that I got from Sportkilt and cut the tassel's off of, but I really quite liked it and it did me justice for several years. Now I would like to replace it with one that comes without tassels in the first place.

I've found several options and I'm asking for The Rabble's input on those, as well as suggestions for other options. I'd like to keep this well under $100 CAD.

Here's the style I like best, which doesn't show the snap closure and can be found for between $35 and $55 (including shipping) from various eBay vendors: Edinburgh Kilt Co, Bauhaus Boy, and HoS. I'd prefer not to get one made from paste and leather powder, so the cheapest one is probably out, but the other two might be OK?
edinburghkiltco-35.jpgbauhausboy-50.jpgheritageofscotalnd-55.jpg



The regimental style is also appealing, though I'm iffy about the boxy shape and stud closure. Penny's and WPG have the dark brown ones for about $40-$45 (including shipping), but the black ones are harder to find. A nice thing about these is that they come with a matching sporran strap, rather than a chain.

I wonder if there is any potential problem in wearing one with civilian attire? Also, I'd prefer black because I think it would be more versatile, but maybe that's just because I haven't wrapped my head around the THCD mixing of leather colours and I don't own any brown shoes
pennys-40.jpgBrown_Leather_Day_Sporran.jpg
highlandthistle-35.JPG



Finally, there are sporrans that are made from better leather, but they all seem to have some kind of metal concho or medallion that I'm not as keen on. I'd prefer it really simple! With shipping, Rkilts has one for about $75, while Buzz Kidder's and USAkilts are about $83.
rkilts-75.JPGcountry-83.jpgusakilts-83.jpg

Thoughts?

[sydnie7]

Couple of years ago, we got the WPG sporran for Bob and I reviewed it here. Assuming they haven't changed it since (other than increasing price), take note of size and belt length.

[MacMillans son]

My only real input is that I have purchased from Bauhaus Boy in the past and was very pleased with their communication, price and quality of the product (17oz black Argyll set). With that said, their sporran seems to show a seam across the top of the flap that is not very attractive to me. It might be worth a follow up email to them to see if that is really on the sporran or if that's a photograph issue. However, if your budget magically increases, I can wholeheartedly make a first hand recommendation of Wyvern Leatherworks for quality work at a reasonable price.

Best of luck in your quest!

[TheOfficialBren]

USAK, Bauhaus, or MOD style in my opinion. I like them all.

A_Hay! Makes some great sporrans. You might see if he can rustle up something within your price range.

[The Wizard of BC]

Please have a look at this thread and let me know if anything catches your fancy.


The Freedom Kilts Carry-All Sporran.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=76668

[MizzouScotsman]

Speaking of those. Did you, by chance, receive my email concerning the one I'd love to have hanging around my midsection?

[AKScott]

I am sure you are busy with school and all, but is making one up yourself remotely possible? My brown was cost me about US$35 in materials, but is was a few horus and I already had the leather stitching tools...

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...utility-64887/

My opinion of the piece has kept going up and up. I would certainly wear it with snazzy/ smart day wear. Leaving the tassels off would have saved hours.

Also, just though of it, can you take a picture to a leather worker in Hong Kong and come home with a one of a kind souvenir?

[CMcG]

Thanks for all the great replies so far!

sydnie7's comments about the dimensions of the MoD sporran are a good caution, though I think it would still work for me. If only I could find one in black! They do pop up on eBay every now and again...

MacMillan's Son pointed out the seam on the Bauhaus Boy sporran, which I had also noticed, but isn't the end of the world. The HoS one has the same thing. So far, I think those two might be the front runners for style and price.

Here's one more option that I just ran across. It's another, plainer Buzz Kidder, which they call their "Rustic" model... I'm not sure if it is too rustic? Has anyone seen one in real life?



AKScott, nice job on your homemade sporran, but I don't have leather working tools or a work space for that sort of endeavour. Nice idea about having one made in Hong Kong, but I'm already back in Canada!

Bren and MacMillan's Sons's suggestions for Wyvern and A_Hay are cool, but a bit too busy for what I'm looking for and also pricey. Besides, despite those guys doing custom work, it seems odd to ask people who specialize in tooling designs to make something as plain as I'd like it...

Wyvern:



A_Hay!:






Steve's Freedom Kilts carry-all sporrans are pretty sweet, but outside my price range, as is the plainest sporran from L&M, who manufactures the ones for Freedom Kilts.






My budget is so small because I'd probably be paying for this by breaking my piggy bank for loose change, returning empty bottles for the deposit, selling odds & ends on eBay, etc. I suppose if I wait till Christmas, Santa might be willing to splurge on me. But I'd have to be a REALLY good boy this year

[knotty]

I dont think you can go wrong with a RKilt festival sporran. My tweed faced is well made & big enough to hold everything I need.

[CMcG]

I dont think you can go wrong with a RKilt festival sporran. My tweed faced is well made & big enough to hold everything I need.

Perhaps if I could convince Robert to leave that metal button off the front, which I hear is not part of the closure system?

I asked Buzz Kidder is they could leave their medallion off and they can, but told me there would still be holes where is used to be