A new sporran for Jock?

**Jock Scot** · 7th November 10, 02:17 AM

Oh come on, it is the height of the shooting season you know!

Sadly I can only watch though.

Funnily enough the sporran did cross my mind as I drove back north last night and I really must have a look for those tassels. A silver cantle has been provisionally earmarked and I rather like the look of a plain unadorned one, but perhaps ----maybe----a wee tad of engraving-----?

Now then you experts, two questions. How feasible is it to get 70 year old crocodile skin stained black instead of its present brown. And secondly------I know how long is a piece of string------- how easy is it to work with considering its age?

**artificer** · 7th November 10, 05:51 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Now then you experts, two questions. How feasible is it to get 70 year old crocodile skin stained black instead of its present brown. And secondly------I know how long is a piece of string------- how easy is it to work with considering its age?

Depending on the condition and finish of the skin, it should take a dye. The type would depend on it's original finishing. I would recommend oil dye, for preference. Spirit dye will strip oils from and dry out an already old hide. Your leather worker should be able to tell you how to progress.

What string are you wondering about? Are the tassels held on with cord instead of chain?

**Draelore** · 7th November 10, 06:09 AM

I was reading through the thread and I was confused as to whether the problem was the look of fur sporrans or the use of fur for a sporran. Certainly if the problem was the killing of a fur bearing animal so that you can use its skin as a decoration (rather than the calf which is eaten, and the skin used for leather rather than discarded) I would recommend taking a look at the excellent imitation fur sporrans over at USA kilts. Rocky speaks very highly of them, and I have learned to trust his judgement in such matters.

**Jock Scot** · 7th November 10, 06:26 AM

Originally Posted by artificer

Depending on the condition and finish of the skin, it should take a dye. The type would depend on it's original finishing. I would recommend oil dye, for preference. Spirit dye will strip oils from and dry out an already old hide. Your leather worker should be able to tell you how to progress.

What string are you wondering about? Are the tassels held on with cord instead of chain?

Yes I understand and thank you for that. The tassels are held on by chains----I think! I have not seen them for er um 20 years or so!

"How long is a piece of string" is a turn of phrase for one of those unanswerable questions that plaque us all at times.

DRAELORE.

I am a shooting man so I have no problem with fur as such, but for reasons that I really cannot explain I have come to dislike the look of fur for sporrans. Leather is not a problem though.