Belts & sporrans

[MacSimoin]

I need to find a new kilt belt; well, two new belts actually. I need a new belt for casual wear and of course I need something nicer for my upcoming wedding (October 2006). I think I’ll just order another belt from Amerikilt.com or maybe a "Casual Kilt Belt" from Matt Newsome (they look identical), and then try to find something appropriate for formal wear. I’ve been looking online for about a week now for a more formal looking belt but I’ve yet to find one that I like.

The same goes for sporrans; I’m actually partial to black rabbit fur sporrans for formal use and I like plain black leather sporrans for casual wear. I have found an embossed leather sporran at ScotYard.com (the "Seamus") that I may buy but I’m having a tough time finding a black rabbit fur sporran that I really like.

Any members here have suggestions on what to buy and where to go? I could use some advice on both items. Thank you.

[Colin]

For some really cool casual belts, check out Rudi at Celtic Empire http://www.celticempire.com/ I have two of these (black and brown)

Bear also sells these and he may also have a few "kilt belts" for formal wear. He is up and running (for the most part) so maybe email him.

[davedove]

I have ordered a black rabbit fur formal sporran from Kiltstore (see the link at the top of the page).

[Colin]

Does it have to be black? Would grey not work?

[MacSimoin]

Colin,

I've done business with Rudi in the past (he made a sporran for me) but I do not care for his belts (not my taste). As for Bear, I have no experience with him or his business nor am I interested (again, just not my taste).

Davedove,

As for the color of the fur, yes, I'm looking for black. But, regardless of the Xmarks discount, I don't think I'm quite convinced it's wise for me to buy anything from Kiltstore because of all the bad things I've read here about surprise customs fees, etc. I've purchased a lot of goods overseas but I've yet to encounter having to pay what others here have said they've paid.

Just an update: I purchased a casual belt today, so that bit's accomplished. To be more clear about the 'formal belt' I'm looking for, I don't want anything embossed or anything with a a huge buckle (I may be a bit of a cowboy in spirit but I'm not one by trade). Something simple with a nice metal buckle will do but it seems that's getting harder and harder to find.

[Colin]

Stillwater sells grey and white rabbit fur sporrans. I know you are looking for a black rabbit fur sporran,but it may be worth the email to Jerry to see if black is available. For that price why not.

[MacSimoin]

I took a look at his site but didn't see any fur sporrans, just leather sporrans (I purchased a leather one---for casual use---from Jerry a few years ago). I didn't see any fur sporrans in his eBay auctions either. Guess I'll email him and keep looking...

If anyone has a black rabbit fur sporran and has photos of it, could you post them here so I can get a better look at it? Thanks.

[Valencian Kilted]

If you look for a fblack rabbit furry sporran, tri with Bestofscotlandshop, I bought them mine, and it was cheap, fastly delivered and in great conditions. I strongly recommand them.

Their webpage is:

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/BEST-OF-SCOTLAND-SHOP

and my sporran looks as this:

[IMG][/IMG]

¡Salud!

T O N O

[toadinakilt]

I really don't want to pay $40 for a 2-inch belt, but I need one...and I don't like the cheap nasty belts that have those square buckles on them. They may be traditional-looking, but I like normal belts, that look like belts for pants, just wider. Where can I find one for like Wal-Mart prices?

[KiltedKnight]

I have the very same sporran, it has worked for me for many years. The only problem with it is that the pocket is a little small to hold what I want to carry, I had to buy a smaller wallet to fit in it.
I had a few different sporrans but I wanted something unique so I went to Tandy Leather company and purchased some leather and the tools that I would need to do the task of making a sporran then I contacted Moscow Hide and leather in Idaho and ordered some different skins.
I made a great sporran from a black bears front paw complete with claws and all of this for under what one of the more expensive sporrans would have cost me AND I still have plenty of leather to make more when time permits.
I was also able to make my own belts ans straps for a fraction of the cost. Tandy Leather carries both brass or chrome buckles to finish them also.
Just my suggestion.

Chris.