A new sporran for Jock?

[artificer]

America does not have a legal system of hallmarking similar to the UK. However, certain makers will mark their goods as is appropriate for finenss (Plat., Ster, karat wt. ) along with a maker's/trade mark (for verification of source-issuance.)

ith:

[ThistleDown]

Jock I suggest you wait just a bit longer. One of the finest bespoke sporran-makers I have ever met is Artificer. His leather craftsmanship is superb, his attention to detail is beyond reproach, and his ability at working with his client in interpreting and producing the very finest design the client may wish makes the potentially stressful process a great pleasure.

I will happily show you the latest by this artisan if we manage a meet in May. I suspect you will turn up your nose at the beaver pelt from which it is made whilst appreciating the exceptional craftsmanship that went into the sporran's making.

But Artificer is not a silversmith and there are very few in America who will meet your needs in that regard. For the cantle design you have stored in the back of your mind and waiting to leap forward I suggest you talk with the silversmiths at labhran.

Rex

[AKScott]

I stopped following this thread several pages ago, low and behold I do have something to contribute.

70 yo crocodile skin is going to take some effort to make workable, but it is a great idea. If you can get it supple enough to work, a gaggle of sporrans would be an amazing legacy for future generations.

If that isn't going to work, alligator is farmed in Louisiana. A fresh alligator hide up to six feet or so is going to be relatively reasonable. Eight feet and up you'll be talking some bigger dollar signs, but even a four footer ought to give up several sporrans.

The "eye" portion of stingray leather comes from over the spinal cord. If you want all black stingray leather, you will be shopping for off cuts, the scraps boot makers in Texas can't use to make boots.

I am going to link you to a page of cowboy boots in exotic leathers so you can see some pictures. I think full quill ostrich has been overdone, if you love it and you must, go ahead ;-). I do think shoulder of bull cow in basic black is worthy of consideration, the surface grain is somewhat pebbled, masculine but sophisticated. Anteater is worth a look, and reading the subsequent pages in this thread has got me thinking about elephant hide.

Finally, another hearty reccomendation for Artificer/Scott. We have concluded our preliminary negotiations for my own formal sporran and I fully expect to thrilled with mine.

click on the black one in this link for bull shoulder texture:
http://www.nocona.com/category/mens/bull_shoulder

I have never heard of these folks before, but they have decent pics of several "exotic leathers"

http://www.timsboots.com/bljaelbo2.html

I do suggest you avoid caribou/ reindeer, it is not a long wearing leather. EDIT: Reindeer hide does have a very nice surface grain, but your grandchildren would only enjoy such a sporran in pictures.

[Ryan Ross]

jock i suggest you wait just a bit longer. One of the finest bespoke sporran-makers i have ever met is artificer. His leather craftsmanship is superb, his attention to detail is beyond reproach, and his ability at working with his client in interpreting and producing the very finest design the client may wish makes the potentially stressful process a great pleasure.

***... Bigtime.