Sporran #14 WIP - Snakeskin Hunting Sporran

[artificer]

I wanted to get my part done before jumping into the thread again.

First thing I want to say is -

MINE!!

Second is that was one BIG snake!!

I really like the way the green trim looks on it. The whole package is sweet.

Jim

It's funny, as I wanted to say the same thing when I saw THIS-


BTW: it was a very big snake. I've still got quite a bit of it. As for the green, we've only your wife to thank...

Now to start planning the sheath.

[English Bloke]

My oh my... That's a lovely thing!!

[Drac]

Got mine in the mail today.

Very sweet. It and the matching belt will get out on town this weekend when I head to Zest Fest Saturday.

I would like to wear tonight but I don't have any brown dress shoes to go with it The new black belt will get out there tonight.

Been looking forward to the belts almost as much as the sporran (ok, no were near as much but still wanted them ) since the cheap chain ones are causing a little more wear than I am comfortable with.

More to come once I get wearing it!

Jim

[English Bloke]

I've given up chains completely now, even for dressy nights out.



Stillwater do some reasonable sporran straps if you are North America based:

http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Sti...porran%20Strap

and some dearer ones too, if you are feeling a little flush:

http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Sti...porran%20Strap

[Freelancer]

Beautiful work, both the sporran and sgian dubh!

[Drac]

Now comes the reviews.

Wore it this weekend at Zestfest (a hot pepper convention) where I would be driving, walking around, going into it constantly and sitting. Only thing missing would have been dancing and since I have no rhythm we'll just let that go...

Let's start with the belts that he made me as well. I actually wore both the black and brown ones a couple days. I will never go back to the cheap chain based ones again. They made it easy to get ready, were a lot more comfortable to wear and easier to manage will doing necessary tasks.

On the sporran it was a nice wear. Unlike any other one I have it carried a normal amount of stuff. I consider a wallet, cell phone, a camera (small point and click), my keys (not all that big a ring) and to be able to carry my spare glasses as normal gear for any time out. Especially if going to an event. It held what I needed and had room for a couple other small things if needed. It also held it all with out looking like a bloated bladder. I had to go in to the sporran a LOT and it was easy and smooth to do so. The sporran hung very nicely and evenly on the belt.

Having done some leather work and had a chance to have held sheaths (and own) by people such as Sandy Morrissey and Chuck Burrows I have a decent idea of what good stitching should look like. This was definitely well done. Very even spacing and tension. On the construction everything was smooth and solid. All the layers wear even with no air bubbles or wrinkles. The finish was even without blotching. A nice even seal on the snakeskin.

This is a sporran that will hold up being used and I plan to do so. Granted now I need to invest in a nice brown belt for day wear but I think it will be worth it

Edit - forgot to add.

I would recommend his work to anyone. I will get more in the future. I have a image of a black hunter (nothing special just a "want") that I will get one day when our schedules work out.

Jim

[Downunder Kilt]

Hey Drac, sorry man it did not happen, no pics

[artificer]

Now comes the reviews.
...
Let's start with the belts that he made me as well. I actually wore both the black and brown ones a couple days. I will never go back to the cheap chain based ones again. They made it easy to get ready, were a lot more comfortable to wear and easier to manage will doing necessary tasks.

On the sporran it was a nice wear. Unlike any other one I have it carried a normal amount of stuff. I consider a wallet, cell phone, a camera (small point and click), my keys (not all that big a ring) and to be able to carry my spare glasses as normal gear for any time out. Especially if going to an event. It held what I needed and had room for a couple other small things if needed. It also held it all with out looking like a bloated bladder. I had to go in to the sporran a LOT and it was easy and smooth to do so. The sporran hung very nicely and evenly on the belt.

Having done some leather work and had a chance to have held sheaths (and own) by people such as Sandy Morrissey and Chuck Burrows I have a decent idea of what good stitching should look like. This was definitely well done. Very even spacing and tension. On the construction everything was smooth and solid. All the layers wear even with no air bubbles or wrinkles. The finish was even without blotching. A nice even seal on the snakeskin.

This is a sporran that will hold up being used and I plan to do so. Granted now I need to invest in a nice brown belt for day wear but I think it will be worth it

Edit - forgot to add.

I would recommend his work to anyone. I will get more in the future. I have a image of a black hunter (nothing special just a "want") that I will get one day when our schedules work out.

Jim

Hey Drac, sorry man it did not happen, no pics

Ha! Mike's got you there, Drac!

I'm thrilled that it measured up to the work of some VERY gifted craftsmen.

As for the sporran straps, it really is hard for me to use a chain, even for formal events, straps are just so much nicer. The lack of wear and tear on the apron is also a HUGE plus.

Hopefully I'll get to actually wear my sgian tomorrow, if we're not completely buried in the ~20" of snow they're predicting for us.

I've got a 'placeholder' sheath made for it while I figure out just what I can make that will do justice to the sgian's beauty. Maybe I'll use a bit of the rattler as an inlay...?

ith:

[Drac]

Ok here are some pics -

Spent a couple hours at Zestfest in Irving Saturday.

Here is one of the booths that I spent some earnings on. A hot wing sauce that I not only plan to use for wings but also in some snack sticks. He also had a trick for making good wings I want to give a try. He frys his wings at 375F, takes them out and stabs them with a roasting fork, and than puts them back in the oil. Before it seals back up he says a little oil gets in between the skin and gets it even more crispy.





A maker from near where I grew up and doesn't it just make sense?



Definitely a dangerous place for sauce issues -



Some jalapeno chips. Makes me wonder how well they would work for sausages?



As seen above the characters were out -



Even though it was all about the peppers there were some interesting things going on . This one was drink mixing. There is a local distillery that makes rum that I just have to get some of. Nice stuff.



Jim

[BoldHighlander]

Ok here are some pics -

Huh? Where's the sporran?