Looking for a Plain Leather Sporran

[sydnie7]

I got replies from both Kinloch Anderson and Bauhaus Boy. Neither of them use leatherboard. K.A. says theirs is pigskin and made in Edinburgh, while B.B. was a bit more vague, saying it is top grade grained leather from a wholesaler in Scotland... perhaps the lower cost reflects manufacturing in a place with cheaper labour? Or B.B. saves by being internet only? Several people have attested to the quality of their Bauhaus Boy sporrans, so I'm feeling like he has the edge on value in this comparison...

From the Tandy Leather guide:
***********
Grain - The epidermis or outer layer of animal skins.

Full Grain - Leather that is just as it was when taken off the animal. Only the hair has been removed and the grain or epidermis is left on.
Note: Only full grain, vegetable tanned leather will absorb water and tool correctly. All leather carving and tooling must be done on full grain leather.

Top Grain - Top grain leather has often been sanded to remove scars and then sprayed or pasted to "cover up" the work. Top grain is not the same as "Full Grain" leather.
************

Do you suppose BB is fudging their description a bit by mixing up the terms? "Top grade grained" could be their code for "top grain"? Just makes me wonder, although of course terminology is not always the same throughout an industry.

[Liam]

I got replies from both Kinloch Anderson and Bauhaus Boy. Neither of them use leatherboard. K.A. says theirs is pigskin and made in Edinburgh, while B.B. was a bit more vague, saying it is top grade grained leather from a wholesaler in Scotland... perhaps the lower cost reflects manufacturing in a place with cheaper labour? Or B.B. saves by being internet only? Several people have attested to the quality of their Bauhaus Boy sporrans, so I'm feeling like he has the edge on value in this comparison...

I strongly suspect if you dig a bit deeper you will find the B.B. sporran is made in Pakistan. This is not to say that it is of poor quality. I have purchased a number of items over the years from B.B. and found their customer service, shipping cost and time, and prices to be very good.

Have you considered an ebay purchase? Here is a promising one that would appear to meet your needs, if you cut off the tassels.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/GOOD-Black-Le...item2573393801

[CMcG]

Sounds like you've got your answer. Do they combine shipping if you buy two? ;)

I'm not sure if they combine shipping... why? Has all this talk got you interested too? Sorry

From the Tandy Leather guide:
***********
Grain - The epidermis or outer layer of animal skins.

Full Grain - Leather that is just as it was when taken off the animal. Only the hair has been removed and the grain or epidermis is left on.
Note: Only full grain, vegetable tanned leather will absorb water and tool correctly. All leather carving and tooling must be done on full grain leather.

Top Grain - Top grain leather has often been sanded to remove scars and then sprayed or pasted to "cover up" the work. Top grain is not the same as "Full Grain" leather.
************

Do you suppose BB is fudging their description a bit by mixing up the terms? "Top grade grained" could be their code for "top grain"? Just makes me wonder, although of course terminology is not always the same throughout an industry.

That's a good question. Here's a quote from BB's listing, followed by a quote from his reply to me.

"This is a Brand New Kilt Classic Regimental style Sporran in Grained Black Leather, with press stud fastening. The Sporran is made of heavy weight grained leather, the edge of the sporran and flap has smooth leather piping contrast."

"This sporran is made from a top grade grained leather, there is no leather board used,"

I would assume that "top grade" means "high grade" i.e. that there were no imperfections to be sanded out of the leather. But if sydnie7 is right and this actually "top grain" leather, what sort of problems could that cause? FYI I don't plan on doing any tooling

I strongly suspect if you dig a bit deeper you will find the B.B. sporran is made in Pakistan. This is not to say that it is of poor quality. I have purchased a number of items over the years from B.B. and found their customer service, shipping cost and time, and prices to be very good.

You're probably right, but I'm OK with that as long as the quality is decent.

[TJ Kelley]

In the market for a new sporran, thank you Gentlemen for doing all my leg work.

So many on the web has me spinning, want a good deal, but fear lack of quality.
Ordering online always has me second guessing purchases.

You have helped narrow the decision to STM Country Squire or Freedom Kilts Carry-all.
Thinking both "brown Squire and black Carry-all" is the real answer.

Thanks again, —T

[artificer]

That's a good question. Here's a quote from BB's listing, followed by a quote from his reply to me.

"This is a Brand New Kilt Classic Regimental style Sporran in Grained Black Leather, with press stud fastening. The Sporran is made of heavy weight grained leather, the edge of the sporran and flap has smooth leather piping contrast."

"This sporran is made from a top grade grained leather, there is no leather board used,"

I would assume that "top grade" means "high grade" i.e. that there were no imperfections to be sanded out of the leather. But if sydnie7 is right and this actually "top grain" leather, what sort of problems could that cause? FYI I don't plan on doing any tooling

You're probably right, but I'm OK with that as long as the quality is decent.

Unfortunately "top grade" means nothing in any sort of legalese/descriptive way for leather. It's like "Premium", manufacturers can throw it around without any consequence.

"Grained leather" only means that a new texture has been embossed on it. This is usually the case when the original grain is unsuitable (older hides with wrinkles, many stretch marks, scars, etc), but sometimes done on excellent hides for a particular look.
The term technically doesn't tell you anything beyond that. There are some amazing grained leathers, and many cheap ones.

ith:

[CMcG]

Unfortunately "top grade" means nothing in any sort of legalese/descriptive way for leather. It's like "Premium", manufacturers can throw it around without any consequence.

"Grained leather" only means that a new texture has been embossed on it. This is usually the case when the original grain is unsuitable (older hides with wrinkles, many stretch marks, scars, etc), but sometimes done on excellent hides for a particular look.
The term technically doesn't tell you anything beyond that. There are some amazing grained leathers, and many cheap ones.

ith:

Thanks, artificer.