WIP Sporran #5 (hunting)- from the very start

**BoldHighlander** · 9th June 10, 02:22 PM

I've been watching this thread with great anticipation after seeing your other work.

Thanks for sharing the process (I can't wait to see the final result!).

**Eleazar** · 9th June 10, 03:37 PM

This is looking great.

Will you be reproducing this in other leather options?

**artificer** · 10th June 10, 12:00 PM

The worst thing about being picky is... being picky. It means a constant level of "hmmm, that isn't quite right" or "that could be better".

The leather shipment that arrived yesterday didn't have a colour that I loved. Everything was too dark or too 'antiqued'.

After a very helpful twenty minutes spent on the phone today with a leather supplier I have a hide on it's way to me that is supposed to be simply gorgeous.

This is the closest chip he could find to replicate the colour and finish. It is satiny in finish, with a slight sheen. It shows all of the natural grain of the hide, and I'm assured by the warehouse manager who dug it up for me, will age and mellow beautifully. It is oiled, but isn't waxed, which means it will be slightly less reactive than I'd originally hoped, but will still darken and soften with skin contact over the years like an old messenger's satchel.

It's a bit heavier than I'd planned, so I'll be doing a lot of skiving to get the gusset down to the proper thickness, but any extra work involved will be worth it to get the right leather qualities.

The colour is a bit more rust than I'd originally pictured (in the colour mock-up and in my head), but I think this will work splendidly. The manager (whose morning I helped consume) said it was very reminiscent of British saddlery and the classic British Tan of leather used in WW1 holsters, boots, etc.

NOW all I have to do is wait for it to arrive (hopefully Monday) and spend the mean time planning out where all the perforations go

**BoldHighlander** · 10th June 10, 01:44 PM

Oh my!

If I had the funds I'd have you get enough leather to make us both a sporran!

**artificer** · 10th June 10, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

Oh my!

If I had the funds I'd have you get enough leather to make us both a sporran!

I just bought a whole side... I've got enough leather to make an entire suit

**BoldHighlander** · 10th June 10, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by artificer

I just bought a whole side... I've got enough leather to make an entire suit

Ooooo!

**Downunder Kilt** · 10th June 10, 03:36 PM

If that leather is as the guy says, the colour of British WW1 army issue, the sporran is going to be magnificent. I have seen many examples of such leather and the patina on the articles is something to behold. Artificer you certainly know what to go for. I too am making sure my my sporran fund is topped up for when you finish.

**adsmguy** · 10th June 10, 05:20 PM

I've been lusting after that sporran for years now, and I can't find one anywhere that I like nearly as much. I can't wait to see your finished product!

**BoldHighlander** · 11th June 10, 12:32 AM

Originally Posted by artificer

I just bought a whole side... I've got enough leather to make an entire suit

PM being sent.

**artificer** · 14th June 10, 04:07 PM

Well, the UPS man just dropped off a honking great box for yours truly.

I cut it open and my reaction, in the words of the great Mojo Nixon, were "Great Googly Moogly"!!!

Shot right as I unbox it (laid against my gigantic walnut dining table)

This one shows probably the truest colour and depth of grain

beautifully butter soft, this stuff is gorgeous to touch.

a fingernail scraped across the surface. This stuff DOES pull up! After a rub of the hand, the mark is g o n e.

My wife already wants to know if I have enough to make her a bag

With luck I'll have patterns finalized by the weekend for first cuts- stay tuned!