Quality Sporrans for less money

[OC Richard]

You're making me wonder in what sense the backs of Pakistani made sporrans are odd. How can I identify them by looking at the back in case pictures of the back are provided?

Also, besides them being odd, is it 'just' that they look odd or are they inferior in some way? If it's just looks does it really matter all that much, given that in principle you don't see the back of the sporran, at least whilst being worn?

Very astute questions!

About the style of construction, for some reason Pakistani sporrans usually have the leather tab (which the strap goes through) positioned lower than legit Scottish-made sporrans. (In the "legit" category must also be included L&M Highland from Canada, who produce fully traditional sporrans of the highest quality.)



Can this be seen from the front? Yes, when worn. With most Pakistani sporrans the strap passes behind the sporran closer to the middle, and the sporran can hang a bit oddly, though usually it's not all that noticeable.

Then there's the quality of the stitching. High-quality Scottish-made sporrans have very even clean stitching. Some Pakistani sporrans are close, while some have poor uneven stitching.

Pakistani sporrans, and sporran straps, often have little sharp bits which can damage the front of the kilt. With the stitching there can be little knots sticking up. With the cantle, and the strap, there can be metal burrs etc.

You opened up my eyes to the Celtic knot embossing (in retrospect I can't believe I didn't notice that )

Yes actual Celtic knotwork has the over-under thing. Also, proper Celtic knotwork is strictly over one, under one, etc. In other words a strand never passes under, nor over, two strands in succession.

On vintage Scottish-made leather stamps and cantles and buckles this "rule" of Celtic knotwork is well followed.

Sadly many modern makers don't understand the principles of Celtic Art.

Here, if you trace a single strand you'll see it've over one, under one.



and here, with my sporran



Here are eight Scottish-made examples of sporrans with that tooling on the flaps. As you see, all are proper Celtic knotwork.