A new sporran for Jock?

**Jock Scot** · 9th June 10, 03:03 AM

Alright then chaps time for me to glean an idea,or fifty, from you chaps with up to date ideas.

I am looking for a formal(dress) sporran for evening wear. BUT I don't want fur,or hair of any kind(I have gone off fur). I am happy with leather though and it will need to be along fairly traditional lines. I think a silver cantle will be required too. So all ideas and pictures will be very welcome. Designs are welcome, as I am happy to have the one I like made and of course credit will be given to the designer.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 9th June 10, 03:49 AM

Well the first thing that springs to mind is a "hunting" style sporran with a metal cantel top, similar to this one from L&M.

If you wanted to customize it a bit and make it look less "standard" you could create a design with different colored leathers for contrast, such as this blue one (also L&M).

One way of "dressing up" a leather sporran without fur is to use a more exotic skin for the leather. This is a sting ray sporran from Ferguson Britt.

He doesn't use metal cantles, so if that's important to you another sporran maker might be able to get Ray Skin. However, I don't believe metal cantles to be absolute requirements for formal sporrans myself.

**JSFMACLJR** · 9th June 10, 05:07 AM

What a fun project, Jock! Not too long ago, I posted that I would like a dress sporran made out of the finest black suede. I would consider basing it on these sporrans:

By far my favourite of these three sporrans is the first. This style of tassel would be essential, I think, for a suede sporran. You would need something "flashy." I particularly like the cantle, which could be worked up with some form of your armorial bearings, even a stylised clan plant badge.. Hamilton & Inches silversmiths are salivating on the sidelines!

Again, the second sporran has striking tassels, and a very fine cantle.

The third sporran is quite simple. Of course you should add tassels, and maybe a bit larger cantle, but the simple, basic style of this sporran is quite elegant.

Have fun with this one, Jock!

**artificer** · 9th June 10, 05:08 AM

I think Jock would look smashing in a Stingray sporran!

**Micric** · 9th June 10, 07:00 AM

Not trying to speak for Jock or anything, but I'm not sure suede would be classified as hard wearing enough by some.
What I mean is, suede has a tendency to go greasy-looking when handled much, so would have a shorter working life than leather. This factor alone would steer me away from it, as I like things that will last my lifetime, and the childrens lifetimes as well!

...that's just my thoughts though!!

**Sir William** · 9th June 10, 07:46 AM

This is a good topic.

I've never been overly fond of fur sporrans (I do have one though) and was wondering about alternatives.

I like the idea of some kind of exotic leather, with or without a metal cantle.

**JSFMACLJR** · 9th June 10, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by Micric

Not trying to speak for Jock or anything, but I'm not sure suede would be classified as hard wearing enough by some.
What I mean is, suede has a tendency to go greasy-looking when handled much, so would have a shorter working life than leather. This factor alone would steer me away from it, as I like things that will last my lifetime, and the childrens lifetimes as well!

...that's just my thoughts though!!

Good point, but we are talking about a dress sporran, one that would not be worn too often.

Velvet might be an alternative.

**CMcG** · 9th June 10, 08:20 AM

I agree with Mr. Newsome that a hunting sporran with cantle would be a great way to go.

Another option would be a formal sporran made of leather, like this one from L&M. To my eye these look just a tad more formal than a hunting sporran because of the tassels. The coloured inlay is available in blue (as shown), red, and green: