Sporran alternatives?

[raindog]

Hi Folks,
Ok, here's the problem, I've found myself veering away from sporrans while searching for one....I'll put it another way....While looking for a sporran I find that I don't really like them. I think it's the stiff leather and round construction that's putting me off.
I'll be wearing it in purely casual circumstances, and want something a bit softer leatherwise, and with the same capacity as a sporran but without the disc shape. Maybe something more medieval looking? Also don't want to pay over $100 for it. I might have to end up making something for myself.
Still want to wear it on my hips, but probably at the side rather than the front. Any ideas of such a thing?
I like the look of the Rkilts tasmanian devil (softer and gets away from the round shape a little), but the price is beyond me.


Cheers!

Jeff.

[Panache]

raindog,


If you are only looking for a casual daywear sporran, in an older style, and made of softer leather. There is one perfect answer. Get a Freelander Sporran. You will not be disappointed.

Here is there site:

http://www.freelandersporrans.com/cm...age&s=Sporrans

And here is my review of te one I bought from David and Sten:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=19749

If I could only have one sporran, it would be a Freelander, they are that good!

Cheers

[auld argonian]

The Buzz Kidders are relatively softer and more bag like than boxlike.

Several vendors handle them.

Best

AA

[macwilkin]

raindog,


If you are only looking for a casual daywear sporran, in an older style, and made of softer leather. There is one perfect answer. Get a Freelander Sporran. You will not be disappointed.

Here is there site:

http://www.freelandersporrans.com/cm...age&s=Sporrans

And here is my review of te one I bought from David and Sten:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=19749

If I could only have one sporran, it would be a Freelander, they are that good!

Cheers

I'll second Panache's recommendation on the Freelander -- my sporran from David is the best sporran I have ever owned, even over my "dress" sporran for formal functions!

Go Freelander!

Cheers,

Todd

[Riverkilt]

Good advice on the Freelander, I have two. Also consider the inexpensive Stillwater nighstalker out of ballistic nylon. Find myself wearing it all the time. Still hoping Jerry makes them in brown nylon and black and brown leather someday. Just something about the convenience of the zipper that makes it easier.

I've also bought some pouches that are like 9"x9" to carry a lot of stuff when needed hiking or to games. I just wear them as a sporran in front.

Had April at April's Carpetbags sew up a custom buffalo hide with hair sporran that I like a lot because I had her sew it to the size I wanted.

Also, have two Native American made soft pouches that I found that work well as sporrans too.

Think some folks find a sporran-like pouch in camera stores or hardware stores. Some folks wear the old fanny packs in front.

I have trouble getting my ham hocks inside the top of some of the basic sporrans.

Then of course you can ditch the sporran all together wearing a vest with enough pockets to carry your stuff, a jean jacket if you're going casual, or a bomber style jacket in cooler weather.

Or wear a contemporary kilt with cargo and other pockets built in.

Ron

[Raphael]

I don't think there are is a sporran which is more casual than the Nightstalker from Stillwater. If you don't like Nylon consturction, you can wait for the leather version.

[Freelander Sporrano]

Making your own is fun. It's just these days I find I'm making everyone else's

Seriously it's how Sten rune and I started. I made the mistake of paying over £100 for a piece of cardboard. Sten Rune just knew we could do better. So if you don't find anything you like go the DIY route.

[raindog]

Thanks guys for all the recommendations!
I've checked out the Freelander and Buzz Kidder and they're both very nice. If I feel financially able after Christmas I'll probably opt for the freelander. It's a handsome bit of kit! If I'm broke (probable!) I'll go for the Buzz Kidder.
I also feel inclined towards the Nightstalker, which looks like it could take a ton of gear and a lot of abuse. I'll probably get that as well for my more rough and tumble ventures.
It seems many of you have a variety of sporrans, which is handy
I'm going to gloat over some more pictures of these cool sporrans


Jeff.

[Kid Cossack]

I have a couple of the Buzz Kidder sporrans, and they're gorgeous---but I have the same gripe with them that you and Riverkilt do. They're darn good looking, but in terms of useability, I fear they fall on the side of "costume"---which I don't like. Good looking, but with a single "pocket/pouch/gear-stuffage-area" and ROUND, so that everything falls down to the very bottom of the pocket/pouch. Keys, lighter, pocket knife---they all end up down at the bottom.

If that's your criteria, I'll echo (once more) vast praise for the SWK nightstalker sporran. You can USE it.

Critiques of the nightstalker? Well, it's ballisticamal nylon, for one thing. (Ballisticamal is like ballistic, only more tactimal, and tactimal is like tactical, only more so.) The front "sporran pouch" I find to be smaller than it ought to be, and the back pouch larger. (I'd have reversed the proportions if I'd designed it, maybe, but there you go.) The zippered pouch on the front flap is wonderful for cards and/or money.

I just LOVE mine.

With Jerry's permission (owner of Stillwater Kilts), I've sent mine off to a custom leathermaker to see what thoughts he can come up with for improving it and rendering it in leather.

I don't have a Freelander sporran yet (YET!) though it seems to me to be the very class of the field in a "one bag" sporran. At one time Bear of www.bearkilts.com (is it safe to mention him?) offered a "sporganizer" as seen here: http://bearkilts.com/sporganiser.html That seems like a neat idea as well, although I don't fancy the idea of having an organizer inside of my sporran (my sporran should organize things itself).

Hope these ramblings at least amuse you, and hopefully help.

Best!

[raindog]

Hi Kid Cossack,
Thanks for the useful info. I do like the idea of stuff being organised in the sporran for quick access. That's where most sporrans fall down.
The nightstalker grows ever more desirable! If they ever come up with a leather version it'll be a sure fire winner I think.
I saw Bears Sporganiser a while back and thought it was neat and nifty
Probably the best route to go for a traditional looking sporran with the usability is to either make one or get one made. Maybe buying a cheap one and attempting a conversion. Then again, I'm not keen on the look of them for casual wear, so it would probably be pointless for me personally.
The trials and tribulations of being a man and having to carry half a ton of gear on you at all times "just in case"

Cheers!

Jeff.