A new sporran for Jock?

**Bugbear** · 18th June 10, 08:13 PM

Hope it all goes well, Jock.

**artificer** · 28th August 10, 01:30 AM

Not to play thread-necromancer here, but I'm dying to know.

Have you made any decisions on your new formal sporran, Jock? I personally like the silver cantle and croc-embossed bag.

**Jock Scot** · 28th August 10, 01:58 AM

Originally Posted by artificer

Not to play thread-necromancer here, but I'm dying to know.

Have you made any decisions on your new formal sporran, Jock? I personally like the silver cantle and croc-embossed bag.

Well no I haven't, but it is very much work in progress. I think that as the croc is brown I don't think that will do for a dress sporran. My thoughts are going along the lines of black suede(thank you Sandy) with a silver cantle and silver tassels. Now being the ever-so frugal chap that I am, somewhere in the attic of my old house is a very old and beaten up dress sporran, the cantle has been recycled by my brother many years ago, but it has three superb silver tassels on it----------all I have to do is find them!

**artificer** · 28th August 10, 02:08 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Well no I haven't, but it is very much work in progress. I think that as the croc is brown I don't think that will do for a dress sporran. My thoughts are going along the lines of black suede(thank you Sandy) with a silver cantle and silver tassels. Now being the ever-so frugal chap that I am, somewhere in the attic of my old house is a very old and beaten up dress sporran, the cantle has been recycled by my brother many years ago, but it has three superb silver tassels on it----------all I have to do is find them!

Ohhhh!
Vintage silver!

I knew the croc was out due to colour, but the silver work on the cantle was gorgeous.

Black suede sounds very stylish. Please make sure to keep us abreast of any and all developments

And remember, pix or it didn't happen.

**Micric** · 28th August 10, 05:53 AM

With the suede Jock, you'll no have to maul it when you've been eating your fish 'n' chips...........minst you, "fish an' chips" and "Formal" probably don't meet very often!

The crocodile could be dyed black....(just to confuse the matter!)

The silver tassels sound just the ticket!

(Got 3 days in a row with no rain, so got some hay made! ...about time!)

**Mike_Oettle** · 28th August 10, 11:03 AM

Micric wrote: “The crocodile could be dyed black . . . (just to confuse the matter!)”
My thought as well.

And also: “The silver tassels sound just the ticket!”
Ah yes, Jock is a canny Scot indeed to have such things lying around his attic!
Regards,
Mike

**BoldHighlander** · 7th November 10, 01:20 AM

Giving this thread a {bump!} to see if there are any new developments yet Jock?

Curious minds & all, you know

**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.