Synthetic/Normal Horsehair Sporrans

**goodrat** · 7th April 09, 03:09 PM

Funny you should ask about that, i was thinking the same thing myself until i got my authentic horsehair sporran. if you look at pictures of real ones next to synthetic ones you will notice that they do not carry the same shape. I'm not quite sure why, but it almost seems as though the synthetic "hair" is cut to a different pattern, and does not have the same texture as real horsehair. One more thing to consider is the quality, there is an extensive amount of work that goes into making a horsehair sporran, and alot of it is the actual conditioning of the hair itself. Most the reviews i have read on synthetic ones have been negative, saying things like, the hair texture is not the same at all, and that it doesnt swish like the real ones do when you walk. I would say that it is definetly worth your extra money to buy an authentic, and like the other gentlemen have said, it can also one day become a family treasure.

**Snowbear** · 7th April 09, 03:16 PM

They cost this much because they are genuine. A real horse hair sporran will not only look good, but it will also reflect your own spirit. There is a reason that they are made of horse hair, and that is not just because thay look better.

**george7** · 7th April 09, 03:36 PM

I have one... curiousity has bitten me more than once. DON'T DO IT

It's basically fishing string hung from a cheesy cast cantle on a poorly made leather-like backing. It curls a lot, looks really thinned out... waste of money.

I bought a used horse hair sporran from ebay. Real horse hair or it's not worth wearing, since it's supposed to look formal.

**Swampthing** · 7th April 09, 05:24 PM

Thank you, guys, for the input.
I think I'll save my pennies and go with the real deal.

**Piper Perry** · 27th April 09, 03:29 AM

I have a collection of horse hair sporrans and what I find to be the greatest frustration with the sporran makers, is the apparent lack of skill in securing the rows of stitched hair to the leather. The hair of these sporrans is, by traditional construction methods, in a state of constant gradual loss every time the sporran is worn. I would think that a good glue could be added to reinforce the stitching and thereby reduce or eliminate the constant hair loss, which over the years of use results in a balding hair sporran! However, having said all that,they are still my very favorite sporrans!

**tyger** · 27th April 09, 03:40 AM

Some time ago I priced horsehair in anticipation of making DIY sporrans for me. You got a lot of horsehair for not many dollars. It is sold by the pound, a pound is A BUNCH of hair. I will split a pound with somebody, if interested PM me.

**Colonel MacNeal** · 27th April 09, 07:03 AM

http://www.kiltmart.com/zencart/inde...roducts_id=100
KiltMart claims to have a real horsehair sporran for $99 but I don't see how it would be possible.

Cheers, ColMac

**tyger** · 28th April 09, 05:20 AM

Originally Posted by tyger

Some time ago I priced horsehair in anticipation of making DIY sporrans for me. You got a lot of horsehair for not many dollars. It is sold by the pound, a pound is A BUNCH of hair. I will split a pound with somebody, if interested PM me.

On second thought, a way to get free horse hair: make friends with your local veterinarian.

**Jack Daw** · 29th April 09, 06:16 AM

I hate to be a noodge, but I'm not keen on non-pipers wearing a horsehair. I never wear one unless I'm piping and wearing my military-style outfit (includes a great patrol tunic from B&S). Regardless, synthetic looks synthetic to me.

**beloitpiper** · 29th April 09, 06:42 AM

I have a real one, but dang, it's a pain to wear and store! I don't know what synthetics are like firsthand, but I've seen people wear them and they look pretty craptacular. They look small and don't have enough hair. Plus, most horsehair sporran don't have the pouches, they're purely decoration.