My Wonderful New Sporran

[Father Bill]

First of all, before anything else, my thanks to Scott. His skills can never be overestimated, he is polite and easy to work with, and he delivered right on time!

So: here's my new sporran "in the wild."



I fell in love with Scott's brogued sporran when he posted a picture here on X-Marks, but I wasn't all that thrilled with the Celtic knot on the targe. I shared with Scott, a picture of a button with a knot I liked, and he enlarged and executed that design beautifully. I also wanted more "bling" so he added more nickel plated studs, and some polished-pewter tassel caps to make it a wee bit more dressy. Here's his closeup, and mine:



More important though, than either of those was carrying space. I'm a priest, which means that wherever I am, when people stop to talk to me (that collar often means "open for business") my office is where I am right then. I need my phone, my business cards, my notebook, and like anyone else I need my wallet and keys. (For those of you who remember the old terminology, yes, I do carry a "church key"). In addition to that, I'm diabetic so when I go to a banquet I want to carry my glucometer & kit. At some lodge events, I have a bit of small regalia to carry too. All in all, no small task.

The result is that all my life, I've looked for things that were huge inside and tiny outside - you know, briefcases, suitcases, cars, and yes sporrans. You get the picture. For the first time in my life, I have something that actually meets those mutually exclusive categories. The inside is absolutely cavernous, and has some soft folding pockets to keep the smallest items from falling to the bottom, whereas the outside isn't much larger than any other sporran. Here's Scott's photo off the inside.


The picture below shows it between Steve's wonderful "Carry-All" sporran and an L & M Sealskin. The Artificer sporran is fully loaded, the other two are empty. Really, not a lot of difference in size here.



Scott accomplished this by increasing the dimensions of the front and the soft back slightly, but mostly by increasing the size of the gusset. The result is that it doesn't bulge when it's loaded either.

In all, this is my new "go-to" sporran, exactly the way I wanted it. It's not quite as formal as the sealskin, so I'll likely keep the sealskin to go with my Sheriffmuir (much as I'd like to wear the new one, and may occasionally do so) and I'll keep Steve's Carry-All because I really do like a flap-type sporran, so sorry guys, no bargains for sale for now anyway.

My thanks to Scott for his skills, his flexibility, his integrity, and his professionalism. Is this an endorsement? Darned right it is!

Father Bill+

[ASinclair]

Your new sporran is, indeed, wonderful. Congratulations!

[creagdhubh]

Well done again, Scott! And Congratulations to you, Father Bill. Such a smart (and functional) looking sporran.

Cheers,

[Grizzly]

Fantastic work again Scott and congratulations Bill on acquiring an heirloom quality sporran.

[Domehead]

This seals it. I've decided to become an Artificer owner. Scott, I will contact you at the e-mail address provided on your FB in a couple of days re: what I'm looking for. Nothing you are unfamiliar with, I assure you. Brilliant, brilliant stuff. Very well done, Father.

To both, Slainte,
Domehead

[mookien]

Father Bill: That is indeed a beautiful and elegant sporran. You look both handsome and ecclesiastical in your Scottish attire. I see three wise men in that picture. Merry Christmas! And God be with you.

John

[Hawk]

Well done Father Bill, and well done Scott.....very handsome indeed. Wear it in excellent health while out and about and/or tending your flock.

I have been eyeing Scott's work, and also the new design by Steve ( wonderful amount or carrying capacity ) for a day sporran.....

Hawk

[Panache]

Just wonderful!

Scott does amazing work.

Cheers

Jamie

[Downunder Kilt]

Congraulations Father Bill. Artificer certainly is one of the pre-eiminent sporran makers in the world. The soft body hunting sporran is a very versitile design and can be comfortable in both day and evening situations and your one looks excellent. Cheers

[HippieLee]

Outstanding - as always I am inspired by Artificer's work.

If I may ask (and if this is infringing on personal trade secrets/practices feel free to ignore - I truly do understand) how does one get the scalloped edges (is that even the right term?) around the trim? (and is that the part that makes it "brogue"?) I haven't really seen a tool for that at my local Tandy store but I am still very new to leather-work so I know I haven't seen all there is (and I also know that Tandy isn't the only place out there for this stuff - it's just the place near me and they have been pretty good to me so far in my learning.) It looks like it would be mighty tough to do each little cut out by hand lol....