Sporran Help

[SnakeEyes]

I just got my new sporran from Stillwater Kilts. I didn't pay much for it, and you get what you pay for, but it will do until I can upgrade. Only problem is that the belt that came with it is VERY stiff. I was wondering what the best method would be to soften it up a little bit? I've heard of people using oil, but I'm not sure what kind of oil or how the process works, and I don't want to ruin it by doing something wrong. I know there are some leather workers here so I was hoping they might have some tips.

Also, the tassles bounce when I walk and rattle againts the front of the sporran, and I hate the sound. So I was wondering, what might be the best way to keep them from bouncing?

Any tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated!

[McMurdo]

I am not a leather worker per se, however as someone who owns two horses and a motorcycle I am familiar with leather, I would say get some saddle soap and go at it.

As for the tassels, I find that you get used to it, I miss it when I'm wearing my dress sporran that doesnt have tassels.

[Panache]

I use zymol Leather conditioner to feed, soften, and bring back the shine to all my Leather accessories (including the belt I got from Stillwater).

I would replace the chain belt that came with your sporran with a leather strap. The chain is hard on your kilt and is really only for dress occasions.
Cavscout makes some nice ones and I think RKilts have a braided one that Colin favors. Me, I picked up a very thin 1/2-3/4 wide women's belt at Target for about $10.

You only notice the tapping of the tassles the first few times you wear your sporran. After a while you no longer care (or even hear it)

Cheers

[Dirka Skene]

I have a few leather things. It's going to sound silly but it does work and doesn't harm the leather goods. Rub VO5 into the leather, and leave it near a warm place. (note: warm, not hot) It softens it quite nicely and, if it's old leather, it brings back the original sheen. My husband uses it on all his baseball gloves.

[Warhoover]

That brings back some memories Dirka. I remember one of our pitchers in high school used to use VO5 hot oil treatment on his glove. He would wipe it on an leave it in the sun for a while and then rub it in. We all thought he was nuts but it worked. Going to have to file that one in my short term memory banks.

Panache, the tapping tassels serve as your personal drum line.

[Big Mikey]

As stated above, a nice belt or strap works and looks good. I have one of Robert's braided sporran straps and I got a belt, about 3/4 inch, at the swap meet. I use the braided strap for dress and the belt for casual. You may also want to consider sporran hanging straps, which I also have. I believe Cavscout has them for sale and Freedom Kilts also sells the Kidder brand. Good luck.

[Alan H]

The tassels used to drive me nuts, too, but now I don't even hear it.

[Kilted X]

For the stiff leather I would go with baseball glove oil. You could use saddle soap. Saddle soap is a water proofer. Saddle soap will last longer, number of weeks between uses, compared to baseball glove oil. When I played baseball everyday I oiled my glove about once a month to once per 1 1/2 months, depending on how dirty, sweatty & wet it got. But it ended up really soft & plyable by the end of the season.

[mcvarmit]

snake eyes,

i have a stillwater sporran, and the tassels drove me crazy. take them off and disassemble them, its just a rolled up piece of leather held in place by a brad. replace chain with leather shoelace, roll up tassel and drive a brad through the two pieces, i died the shoelace black, poke lace back into sporran and tye off with an overhand knot while ajdusting the length of the tassels.

that about as clear as mud, i'm not to good at explaining things. its easier than it sounds.

Slick

[bunchdescendant]

The tassels make noise..... ?

No, seriously, I must have bad hearing as I never noticed it at all.

....now I will be listening and letting it bug me.......

BTW, Zymol is very good for smooth leather-it will change the color of suede, though.

Ray