Full mask sporran: Yea or Nay?

**Kilted Canadian** · 30th July 10, 06:17 AM

Personally, it's all about the quality of the taxidermy to me. I mean, something with a long pelt that is simply tacked onto a leather bag with it's head and called a full mask sporran looks atrocious and does you a disservice.

However, if the pelt is processed well, mounted well, and most of all, worn well, then I see NO reason why it should not be done.

A brief comparison.

A crudely made badger full mask: http://www.sporrans.com/aAdditionalBadgers.htm

Compared to a well made badger full mask: http://www.usakilts.com/store/cart.p...t_detail&p=109

I know at least what I want for Christmas ;) http://www.licensetokilt.com/Full_Ma...e_Sporran.html

**artificer** · 30th July 10, 06:26 AM

I don't know that the two examples you show here are accurate. The first link definitely shows a more rustic sporran.

The fur isn't sheared, which leaves it 'bushy' looking. I tend to agree that the growling, open mouth is a bit OTT, but not indicative of badly done work. I also like a fur gusset, but that's personal preference.

In Rocky's link, the fur appears to be sheared, which lends a more tailored look. Also, the shape of the bag itself compliments the shape of the head (which is something I think lacks a bit in the first link).

In short, without detail shots, you can't really SAY that #1 is poor quality. You CAN argue about proportions, design aesthetic, and good taste.

**Kilted Canadian** · 30th July 10, 06:39 AM

True, but I suppose, as a hunter with several mounted trophies around the house, I have a particular eye when it comes to taxidermy, and it seems to me that the 1st pelt is lacking something, as if the fur was finished irregularly, or else it was not arraged well, so that the fur bristles in places but lies smooth in others. Presentation is everything I find...

**artificer** · 30th July 10, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by Kilted Canadian

True, but I suppose, as a hunter with several mounted trophies around the house, I have a particular eye when it comes to taxidermy, and it seems to me that the 1st pelt is lacking something, as if the fur was finished irregularly, or else it was not arraged well, so that the fur bristles in places but lies smooth in others. Presentation is everything I find...

I would tend to agree. I know fur can be difficult to wrangle on the relatively sharp curves of a sporran. Part of the issue appears to be the lack of shaping the fur with a shears. The long guard hairs really look too bushy on the bag pictured.

Which brings us to the other issue. Inter-webz photography. Seriously folks, if you're too lazy to take a good pic (or have one taken), what does that say about the rest of your work?

just my .02

**davidlpope** · 30th July 10, 07:06 AM

Originally Posted by artificer

I don't know that the two examples you show here are accurate. The first link definitely shows a more rustic sporran.

The fur isn't sheared, which leaves it 'bushy' looking. I tend to agree that the growling, open mouth is a bit OTT, but not indicative of badly done work. I also like a fur gusset, but that's personal preference.

In Rocky's link, the fur appears to be sheared, which lends a more tailored look. Also, the shape of the bag itself compliments the shape of the head (which is something I think lacks a bit in the first link).

In short, without detail shots, you can't really SAY that #1 is poor quality. You CAN argue about proportions, design aesthetic, and good taste.

I have one of the L and M sporrans. The fur is not sheared. The effect that you're seeing instead comes from the fact that the fur is only on the front panel of the sporran. The remainder of the sporran (gusset, etc.) is made of smooth leather. I think this style of construction works much better since American badger fur tends to be more flyaway. Another difference with American pelts is that the mask lacks the very distinct "badge" that the Scottish Badger variety has, a shame in my opinion.

I've seen examples of the Craigie sporrans in person. To me they are always too large and over-bondo'ed in the mask, making them very heavy and awkward to wear,. They also always look "unfinished" to my eye due to the fur gusset, which makes the fur stick out at crazy angles. The use of the legs/claws as tassles, to me, is an example of "more is not better." To me these things never really look like true sporrans, instead they resemble a sort of crudely-made reenactor pouch. Often this effect is intensified by the wearer's other accoutrements- neck daggers, leather knee-high "moccasins", blue facepaint, etc.

David

**wildrover** · 30th July 10, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by Bugbear

I've changed my mind. I would prefer a gourd sporran.

Hm...how bout a dual gourd sporran, with buffalo fur trim?

I actually do like the open mouth, teeth, and eyes on this one.
http://www.sporrans.com/aAdditionalBadgers.htm

I think they could work, on a tasseled sporran like this.
http://www.licensetokilt.com/Full_Ma...e_Sporran.html

What is this "badge" you guys are referring to? Could someone post an example of a badged and unbadged badger?

With regards to our respective ladies and their lack of interest in this type of sporran...I suspect that full mask sporrans will remain fairly enigmatic and almost exclusively a masculine pursuit, not unlike bacon.

-Sean

**artificer** · 30th July 10, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by davidlpope

I have one of the L and M sporrans. The fur is not sheared. The effect that you're seeing instead comes from the fact that the fur is only on the front panel of the sporran. The remainder of the sporran (gusset, etc.) is made of smooth leather. I think this style of construction works much better since American badger fur tends to be more flyaway. Another difference with American pelts is that the mask lacks the very distinct "badge" that the Scottish Badger variety has, a shame in my opinion.

Interesting that the L&M fur isn't shaped at all...
I knew that they had the leather gusset, which definitely reduces the volume.

I do miss the darker patterning with most American pelts. I wonder if there is a regional (subspecies) variation? I saw a badger off my back deck a year or two ago (around 8am) and it's face was nearly black- FAR darker than the Craigie sporrans show. I almost bought an American badger pelt last week that had a very dark head (though not quite as dark as the European badger).

Originally Posted by davidlpope

I've seen examples of the Craigie sporrans in person. To me they are always too large and over-bondo'ed in the mask, making them very heavy and awkward to wear,. They also always look "unfinished" to my eye due to the fur gusset, which makes the fur stick out at crazy angles.

They definitely appear a bit clunky compared to the very finessed L&Ms. I've seen some wonderfully done fur gussets though. I think they can be really nice if you actually put stuff in your sporran, that way you don't see the leather gusset.

Originally Posted by davidlpope

The use of the legs/claws as tassles, to me, is an example of "more is not better." To me these things never really look like true sporrans, instead they resemble a sort of crudely-made reenactor pouch. Often this effect is intensified by the wearer's other accoutrements- neck daggers, leather knee-high "moccasins", blue facepaint, etc.

David

***, with a hearty laugh

**davidlpope** · 30th July 10, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by wildrover

What is this "badge" you guys are referring to? Could someone post an example of a badged and unbadged badger?

The "badge" referred to is the distinctive color pattern of the head, the two black stripes on the otherwise white fur. Hence the name, "Badger". In the North American variety this is less defined and differently patterned than the European variety. Compare the two photos below:

European:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...:1&um=1&itbs=1

North American:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...:1&um=1&itbs=1

**Ancienne Alliance** · 30th July 10, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by davidlpope

The "badge" referred to is the distinctive color pattern of the head, the two black stripes on the otherwise white fur. Hence the name, "Badger". In the North American variety this is less defined and differently patterned than the European variety. Compare the two photos below:

European:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...:1&um=1&itbs=1

North American:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...:1&um=1&itbs=1

This is very interesting !

Best,

Robert

**MacConnachie** · 30th July 10, 09:21 AM

Would I buy one? Probably not, unless I were able to find a really well-made one, and then it would probably be priced out of my range.

Would I wear one? If someone gave or loaned one to me for a specific purpose. But, in agreement with what others here have said, not if it simply looked like a bit of fancied-up roadkill.