Full mask sporran: Yea or Nay?

**Ryan Ross** · 28th July 10, 07:40 AM

My take on the full mask is that it can look awesome, IF THE MAKER DOESN'T GO APESH!T with the taxidermy. A nice badger, marten, or even coon or skunk can look awesome, if the mask is done well and is relatively flat.

When I see a huge fox mask with the lower jaw still present and accompanied by an insert that includes teeth and a tongue(no kidding here), I have to wonder what people are thinking.

I'd like to see a well made, traditionally sized and shaped bag, and a mask that's relatively flat, and preferably, has the eyes neatly sutured shut, rather than having glass eyes. That way, it looks like the little critter is sleeping, rather than ready to pounce.

**Jock Scot** · 28th July 10, 07:42 AM

As many of you know I am a hunting(UK definition with horses and hounds) shooting and fishing man and have been for all my long life, so dead things are part of my life and still are. For some reason, that I cannot explain, I have gone off fur and hair sporrans. So much so that I have given my sons all my fur/hair sporrans that disturb me so. I don't mind them wearing them and I don't mind others wearing fur sporrans and I have absolutely no problem with leather. Each to their own and I fully respect that , but somehow I think it may be time to move away from this Victorian idea of fur/hair sporrans.

**Cynthia** · 28th July 10, 07:45 AM

A well-made full mask sporran can look quite handsome. I know what many of you are saying about the over-done ones, but I've seen some that are so flat they look like deflated roadkill and look a bit freaky to me. A nice balance somewhere in between looks best to my eyes.

**Detroitpete** · 28th July 10, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

As many of you know I am a hunting(UK definition with horses and hounds) shooting and fishing man and have been for all my long life, so dead things are part of my life and still are. For some reason, that I cannot explain, I have gone off fur and hair sporrans. So much so that I have given my sons all my fur/hair sporrans that disturb me so. I don't mind them wearing them and I don't mind others wearing fur sporrans and I have absolutely no problem with leather. Each to their own and I fully respect that , but somehow I think it may be time to move away from this Victorian idea of fur/hair sporrans.

Ditto!

**Kaw-Liga** · 28th July 10, 08:10 AM

Might as well have something dead out side of the kilt.

Already have something dead inside.

Kaw-Liga

[QUOTE=Manitoban Keith;900456] I was not allowed to have dead animal faces on my crotch QUOTE]

**CMcG** · 28th July 10, 08:32 AM

I voted yes, but in actuality I wouldn't wear one. They are definitely a bold looking accessory!

There are lots of things that people wear that I think are viable options for kilting, both traditional and modern. It makes me happy that there is plenty of variation but, for civilians, it isn't a uniform.

I can appreciate things like a full mask sporran without having any desire to wear one. It's just a little bit too much for me... and I already have my dad's old horse hair sporran when I want to go over the top

**Manitoban Keith** · 28th July 10, 08:42 AM

[QUOTE=Kaw-Liga;900496]Might as well have something dead out side of the kilt.

Already have something dead inside.

Kaw-Liga

Originally Posted by Manitoban Keith

I was not allowed to have dead animal faces on my crotch QUOTE]

Lol, you might want a doctor to check that out.

**wildrover** · 28th July 10, 08:45 AM

I like them...but as others have said, ya gotta be careful it's not too flat or too overdone. Also...I like the look of a mask over horsehair & tassels more so than mask over fur. The former looks more refined to my eye...the latter just looks like a pelt in front of the kilt.

**davidlpope** · 28th July 10, 10:49 AM

Like Ryan and others have noted, there are good mask sporrans and bad mask sporrans. I really like the traditionally styled otter, wildcat, badger, pine marten ones- they tend to be of a reasonable size with relatively little 3-D effect to the mask itself and it's obvious they were professionally made. I really dislike the homemade version where one buys a pelt and essentially sews it into a bag. They always look like an unfinished BSA craft project to me.

I also think that most American pelts like raccoon, skunk, fox etc. just really aren't suited to the overall look due to how "bushy" the fur is, although muskrat and beaver seem to do okay. I have a badger mask sporran I wear for formal events, but it's really too big and clunky to wear comfortably for daywear.

David