Sporran size?

[Micric]

Good morning Gentlemen,

I am wondering if I may enquire about the dimentions of your favourite Traditional day-wear sporrans?

Though I am not of the school thinking "bigger is better", a practical sporran does require a certain holding capacity.

The reason I am asking, is I am wanting to make up a traditional 19th -20th century type working sporran,..plain, maybe with a MOD type bag, plus a working cantle (with hinge)
I have tried the search, but no joy, so any help with sizing would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!
Richard.

[Riverkilt]

Different sizes for different uses and adventures. Think my largest is 9"x9"

I'm big on sporrans with compartments, to sort things out a bit for faster retrieval.

[xman]

I searched this thoroughly a few months ago.

Most day sporrans are about 7" - 8", usually a bit taller than wide. There is no standard however and some are a bit bigger, a bit smaller ... 1 1/2" - 2" depth is most common, but again bigger and smaller.

The drawback I am finding to having a large sporran is that I'm tempted to cram too much in there and when the weight of the bag increases, so does the push on the apron. As a result I'm trying to keep my carriage weight down.

[MacLowlife]

I think the traditional sporran ought to hold a paperback book, or come close. In my experience, the biggest drawback of inadequate sporrans is flexibility. One of those "two pieces of cardboard with a gusset between" cheap sporrans tends to have capacity, but not usable capacity, because of the lack of flexibility. I recognize that a sporran ought to have some structure and thus, the back should probably be fairly stiff, but I don't see why the front can't be a little softer. I can't find a set of dimensions for the MOD day sporran and it might not quite hold a Penguin paperback. I also don't know how flexible they are, but I stand by those two criteria.

While there really is no benefit in comparing the sporran to a woman's purse, I do think they share the risk someone mentioned earlier of holding so much that you can't get to what you need.

I wear a jacket most of the time and keep things in those pockets whenever possible. And if I am getting really dressed up (in a doublet that has fewer pockets), I consider just how much I will need during the evening. Two cards, a bill of larger denomination and the fewest keys I can manage- after all, an occasion is worth a few small adjustments. But I do end up with the phone, too. And sometimes the little camera. And somebody's lipstick. And maybe her hairbrush, and a small mirror. And a standard lamp, etc etc etc.

[MacLowlife]

PS, if your iPad will fit, it's probably too big.

[Downunder Kilt]

Micric, hope the below info helps



Sporran has a functioning brass cantle and is 22 1/2 cm (9"") long and 15cm (6") wide.

All the best with your project. Also if you look at the STM site and check out Ferguson Britt sporrans, you may get some ideas re sizes you could use. I know Matt had a FB sporran attached to one of his brass cantles

[ctbuchanan]

My favorite day sporran is a falconer's bag made for me by Craigie (now deceased sadly). The advantage to me is that it is made of soft elk skin and is expandable, therefore able to accommodate things I gather during the day. It is somewhat smaller than the falconer bags of old, but perfect for my needs

[Micric]

As always, you chaps have been a great help!

Thank you all for taking the time to write thoroughly detailed replies.
Thank you too Downunder, and Buchanan, for the photos, and for the specific measurements (Downunder)
Though I really want to make a brass cantle, this one will be a bit of a hybrid.....
and look a bit old.
Will show a pic or so in the DIY when it's done.
The old catch variations fascinate me, and I'd love to have a bash at some of them!!

Thank you all again!
R.