Large Man! Small Sporran!

[Riverkilt]

Forgot to mention that the Native Earth #6 pouch had a center divider inside and a wallet pocket on the divider. Easy to organize.

And, I can fit BOTH my black and brown BK sporrand inside the Native Earth #6 pouch.

Most of the time I wear the SWK nylon. Do love the convenience of zippers and multiple compartments.

Ron

[Caradoc]

Then most decidedly buy a Freelander. They are probably the best sporran I have ever seen. They are er...not traditional so to speak but can be dressed up or down.

That, I think, would depend on one's version/value of "traditional."

I find the so-called "Jacobite" or "ancient" sporran (like the Freelander) to be a lot roomier and easy to work with than the typical flat-wallet-with-a-snap that so many modern daywear and semi-dress sporrans have become.

Don't even get me started on the "formal" sporrans with their cantles and barely enough room to get the car keys in, let alone a wallet or a cell phone.

For casual daywear, I'll vote for a Freelander/Jacobite/Ancient pattern for leather, and a Nightstalker (Stillwater nylon sporran) for non-leather.

In fact... I'm wearing the latter at the moment.

[Nanook]

Don't even get me started on the "formal" sporrans with their cantles and barely enough room to get the car keys in, let alone a wallet or a cell phone.

Formal sporrans are in the Victorian tradition about pomp and not function. They are jewelry. They, however, were not always small. The once popular-- but now nearly relegated to pipers-- hair and mask sporrans could be quite large. With the shift to less hairy beasts in the last century the sporran got smaller and more wieldy. Most piper sporrans that even maintain the hair tradition don't even have a pocket. Ceremonial or dress sporrans are about looking nice. They are very much like the tiny evening purses of women's formal wear. Many day sporrans are modeled after the semi-formal models. They too not intended to hold much. Military day in contrast to civilian sporrans as used by most of the regiments are larger and quite roomy. They are, however, not soft faced but use stiff fronts. Even day outfits must look orderly and exude a level of formality and authority.

[MacTavishOfJapan]

Until the recent price increase I would have totally recommended a Freelander but now I'd say there are cheaper alternatives.

I have read nothing but good things about the Nightstalker sporrans (if only they did them in black leather ) or the site Robin suggested has several good looking leather sporrans (there's a black dragon one in there that has my name ALL over it! ). The Buzz Kidders also seem popular.

[Riverkilt]

I own two Freelander sporrans. Can't remember how much I paid for them, seems like even less than before the price adjustment. I wear them a lot and like them. You can't argue the quaility. The quality of the freelander sporran is right up there with a hand sewn kilt. Because the Freelanders are made by craftsmen.

My sense is that if Freelanders were new on the market today, and offered at the current price, anyone who could examine the sporrans would gladly pay the current price for them and feel they were receiving top quality and value.

If a person wants quality goods, then pay attention to the sporran itself and the craftsmanship that built it rather than to the price it used to sell for.

I don't believe I've ever seen a negative comment about a Freelander sporran's quality or the service provided by David.

If a person can't afford the product that's one thing. Save up or choose another option. Just seems very shortsighted to decline a quality product because in the start up David's had them underpriced for what they cost him. If the craftsman can't make a fair price for his labor what's the point of bothering to produce them for us?

Remember when shopping, a person can have any two of price, quality, or service. Some companies offer price and service at the expense of quality. Freelander sporrans offer quality and service.

Ron

[Colin]

Excellent post Ron. I agree completely.

The commnets about Freelanders over the last year have been outstanding, and I don't see the big issues of the price going up a couple of $$$$. I have yet to see a business that sells handmade products not have to increase their prices slightly as their business grew. Case in point, but first bear kilt (4 yard casual) was $80 cdn. I don't know what the price is now, but I know it is over $200 cdn. These people making the products need to make a small profit as well as cover their costs. Remember that with Freelanders (either through David, or through Freedom klts as well now) that you are not only paying for top notch material, handemade care and craftsmanship, but also delivery. From what I have seen that is still a great price.

I would still rather pay for a quality product that will last ages, rather than some of the rubbish out there that won't last the next couple of years.

[MacTavishOfJapan]

Sorry if my comments have been misunderstood, I meant that perhaps $150 might be a little expensive for some. Especially as an "entry level" sporran considering the nightstalkers etc that get rave reviews.

My Freelander is my first sporran, when I saw them I fell in love with them. When I actually got it the quality of it just made me love it more. I actually enjoy sitting rubbing vaseline into it - this is a guy who ever cares for things like that.

They are still absolutely worth the money, just that I don't know I would have paid the new price if I was buying for the first time again (bearing in mind I had just bought a tank). In my opinion, gladly , I got a bargain when I bought mine. David's service was fantastic, friendly and Stillwater in it's speed.

[Caradoc]

I actually enjoy sitting rubbing vaseline into it - this is a guy who ever cares for things like that.

Vaseline?

I prefer Pitch Blend for leathers more than any mineral-based oil products I've ever tried.

Just make sure you wipe the excess off (just like you would for Vaseline) before letting the treated item get anywhere near wool or other fabrics that you value.

[MacTavishOfJapan]

Vaseline?

I prefer Pitch Blend for leathers more than any mineral-based oil products I've ever tried.

Just make sure you wipe the excess off (just like you would for Vaseline) before letting the treated item get anywhere near wool or other fabrics that you value.

Vaseline was what David recommended. Once I get back to Scotland I intend to get some "leather food" but out here there is way too much chance of me buying the wrong thing and having a total disaster. But thanks for the heads up Caradoc - I'll look into it.

[Nanook]

Vaseline was what David recommended.

I would not use Vaseline or any other brand of petroleum jelly.

I like "Ko-Cho-Line Leather Dressing". Its a thick grease that looks like cheap strawberry jelly and smells of oil.

If its to be waxed then I use a formulation of beeswax in turpentine (1 part to 1 part) with some, depending upon my mood, Dammar or Mastic resin (but no more than 1/20 the weight of beeswax as its just for gloss and not to make a varnish). If the wax is for shoes or something that needs a bit more protection then I'll use some carnauba wax (or a mix of mainly carnauba with some bees wax) in the paste. Heat the turpentine in a double boiler, add in the wax to melt, add the resin, stir to an emulsion and let cool. It makes a nice paste with a smell of pine.