Real Animal Sporrans

[turpin]

Craigies are just about the best full mask sporrans out there. Great quality taxidermy. And priced accordingly.

[J.B. Simpson]

I have a muskrat in the pond beside my house........no that might be a little tough to try on the first attempt at making a sporran. Maybe after a few attempts though......

[OFCJAX]

I can't make up my mind between coon, skunk, or badger. I like them all.

[Highland Logan]

Craigies are just about the best full mask sporrans out there. Great quality taxidermy. And priced accordingly.

I disagree... L&M all the way!

Frank

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I disagree... L&M all the way!

Frank

Some mask sporrans I've seen lately (and I'm not saying these are Craigies, necessarily, but just some I've seen being worn), are overly taxidermied. By which I mean much too three-deminsional. The sporran protrudes out quite a bit from the wearer.

Some people really like those (they seem to be really popular at the Stone Mountain Highland Games), but what I really like about the way L&M makes their mask sporrans is that they lie much more flat. The mask itself is taxidermied to give it some shape, but I have been pleasantly surprised by just how flat it lays on the body, giving it a very unobtrusive appearance when viewed from the side.

Now, I'm not likely to buy a mask sporran any time soon (I have two fur sporrans from Ferguson Britt, as well as a plain leather day sporran, and a hair sporran, so I'm set for most occasions). But I've worn L&M mask sporrans before and really was impressed.

This post is not to knock Craigie, just to reiterate what Highlander Logan said about L&M. I don't have direct experience with Craigie, but those I've talked to who have bought from them have had only positive things to say.

Aye,
Matt

[jmercier]

That's my issue with some of the Craigies sporrans, they just seem too... big, and stick out too much. An acquaintance of mine from over on the bladeforums.com who is a jeweler and a bladesmith Stacy Elliott Apelt, FSA,Scot, has a gorgeous bobcat full mask sporran which he made, and one of the things that I like about it is that his "Willy warmer" as he puts it, isn't obtrusive. While it's certainly striking, it doesn't need to jump right out at you.

[James MacMillan]

Matt, you hit the nail on the head.

That is why I haven't made the effort for a full face.

I have seen some nice soft face treatments, however... no eyes, or fake nose, and soft. If I ever go the direction of a full face, that's what I'll do.

[ForresterModern]

I picked up a very nice full mask arctic (white) fox sporran on ebay a month or two ago from Robertson Sporrans. Also more of a flat face bit with just enough depth to give it a real face look and definition. have only tried it on around the house as being so stark white it seems too formal to wear anywhere except with evening dress, which I have but have not yet had the opportunity to take out on the town. That time is coming though.

Robertson has three mask sporrans on ebay right now---a badger without paws or tassels, a similar raccoon, and a pheasant, which I found particularly interesting and would love to see in person. Starting prices are reasonable in my opinion, and the buy it now prices are not bad either.

[JerseyLawyer]

I don't know if I could handle having a full mask sporran that was looking at me all the time.

L&M makes great quality stuff. They used to be THE maker for pipe bags, as well, at least on this side of the pond.

[Jack Daw]

I have a Craigie badger mask sporran with the swinging six. I don't perceive that the head protrudes too far. But, that could be just me. I'm pleased with it. I do notice that my sporran is just long enough to accomodate the 6 tassels versus the L&M version.