Sporran strap wear

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Hamish,

This is something I have noticed as well. Back when I first got into this business, about 8 years ago, I could order from my suppliers either chain or leather straps, and those in either black or brown leather.

Fast forward to about 2 or 3 years ago, and I only had one source left that was supplying me with all-leather sporran belts, and only then unreliably.

Now none of my suppliers offers them, and I continue to have customers asking for them. I wear one, which I made for myself about ten or twelve years ago from a narrow belt blank I bought at a leather craft store, so that is what I have been recommending people do.

I have been getting onto Buzz Kidder about making leather belts to wear with his sporrans. Maybe if enough of his clients bug him about it he will start to offer these. I absolutely love his sporrans, but I agree with you about the chains he includes. All I tell my customers are that they are free with the sporran and just meant to last you until you can secure another belt.

Aye,
Matt

[macgreggor]

just a quick and dirty source for leather straps.
i was in the local goodwill-type store, walked past the used ladies purses. a LOT of those huge, nice leather handbags have narrow, straps, buckles in the middle to adjust and NICE snaps at both ends to allow for quick removal. for under $5 i picked up an adjustable sporran strap and a HUGE supply of soft leather for a try at making my own sporran.
now to find the time!
macG

[Mike n NC]

I've wondered about this too and have decided to go with the thoughts of those that have been wearing the kilt longer than I. However, I came up with a solution that gives Me the best of both worlds.

I took an old, smooth, black leather belt and cut it in the center of the back. Doing some careful measurements I removed enough of the leather to make room for the sporran and two short lengths of chain, about 6 inches per side as I remember, attached to the belt with D-rings. It looks very much like some of the "belted kilt chains" but the belt comes around the hips by several inches and eliminates that friction point. This way the chain lays over the flat part of the apron and belly where there is little to no movement.

While I wouldn't wear it for full dress formal, it works well for day wear and looks good enough to be worn semi-formal.

Just and idea.

Mike

[Granite]

Hello Gentlemen,

Can someone provide me with the name of a company within Scotland (or at least within the UK), that makes leather sporran straps.
I'm looking for a brown leather sporran strap for day-wear.

Thank you.

[Hamish]

Hello Gentlemen,

Can someone provide me with the name of a company within Scotland (or at least within the UK), that makes leather sporran straps.
I'm looking for a brown leather sporran strap for day-wear.

Thank you.

Hi 'Granite',

You will probably find that any half-decent Highland Dress outfitter actually has sporran straps somewhere under the counter - but you'll have to ask for them! I have seen them on display recently at Hector Russell on Princes Street in Edinburgh, but the quality was not too good and they had only one size/length. The price was about £8.00. Oh, and the 'brown' was so dark it was almost indistinguishable from the 'black'!!

I've not approached them but I'd have expected that someone like Janet Eagleton and Son, the sporran makers, of Perth would be able to supply them. Their 'phone number is 01738 447187.

I have had some made up for me by a local Saddler down here in Sussex. Whilst the quality is absolutely superb, I has horrified to be charged almost £15.00 each for them.

[Granite]

Hello Hamish,

Thanks for that advice, I will certainly follow it up.

Regards,

Ian

[Rob]

Granite,

You could also try Laura at McCalman Kilts. I got mine from her. Talk to her on the phone about it. She is very helpful.

http://www.mccalman-kilts.co.uk/

Rob

[Jerry]

I have read in several postings about the increased wear to the kilt by sporran chains vs. leather belts. As a scientist, I have been trying to hypothesize what might be the mechanism for the increased wear from the chain. Could it be that individual fibers become lodged between links, whereby they are torn from the fabric? Any thoughts on this?

Rick

Perhaps that is a good hypothesis. The coefficient of friction should be higher for the leather strap than for the metal chain link. In addition, there should be more surface area in contact with the kilt when using a strap instead of a chain. Therefore, the strap should cause more damage. Since it doesn't, there must be other factors such as the one you suggested, or the "more motion theory suggested below.

Here is my hypothesis:
We must look at how each individual link acts. Only a portion of each link contacts the kilt, whereas the entire surface area of the strap is in contact.
Even though the coefficient of friction is lower, it is because the chain is harder and the area of contact is smaller that causes the wear. If two weights are equal, but one is applied over a much wider area, the one applied to a small area creates the greatest force, more pounds per square inch. As an example, let's say that a 150 pound man steps on your foot with the heel of his ghillies. Sure it's going to hurt, but your foot will survive. Now lets assume that a nice, well dressed lady does the same. For a female, she is slightly heavy and weighs the same the man, 150 pounds. The difference is that she is wearing 4 inch spike heels. Your poor foot wouldn't stand a chance. The force applied to your poor foot would likely be about 150 pounds per square inch. With the ghillies, it would be approximately 35 pounds per square inch. Same weight, but since force is weight divided by area, The spike heel does greater damage.

[Big Paul]

I concur with your hypothesis. You just stated it more eloquently than I did..8)

[chasem]

Perhaps that is a good hypothesis. The coefficient of friction should be higher for the leather strap than for the metal chain link. In addition, there should be more surface area in contact with the kilt when using a strap instead of a chain. Therefore, the strap should cause more damage. Since it doesn't, there must be other factors such as the one you suggested, or the "more motion theory suggested below.

Here is my hypothesis:
We must look at how each individual link acts. Only a portion of each link contacts the kilt, whereas the entire surface area of the strap is in contact.
Even though the coefficient of friction is lower, it is because the chain is harder and the area of contact is smaller that causes the wear. If two weights are equal, but one is applied over a much wider area, the one applied to a small area creates the greatest force, more pounds per square inch. As an example, let's say that a 150 pound man steps on your foot with the heel of his ghillies. Sure it's going to hurt, but your foot will survive. Now lets assume that a nice, well dressed lady does the same. For a female, she is slightly heavy and weighs the same the man, 150 pounds. The difference is that she is wearing 4 inch spike heels. Your poor foot wouldn't stand a chance. The force applied to your poor foot would likely be about 150 pounds per square inch. With the ghillies, it would be approximately 35 pounds per square inch. Same weight, but since force is weight divided by area, The spike heel does greater damage.

In actuality, a woman wearing spike heels actually puts more pressure on the ground where the heels make contact, than an elephant puts on the ground where one foot contacts.