Knotwork Sporran

[Galant]

Hi, I was wondering if any of you own a Knotwork sporran (available via Bear or Celtic Empire) and if you do - what do you think of it, and do you have any pics of it?

I'm looking at buying one and just wanted some extra opinion and visuals.

And you know what, this gives me an idea, off to suggestions for me.

[Galant]

Also, can anyone make a direct comparison between the Knotwork and the Kidder Rob Roy?

Comparison is:

$75 Knotwork sporran including leather sporran belt.

$59.95 Rob Roy sporran + leather sporran belt at $20. ($79.95)

Or I could go for sporran belt loops at $11.95 ($71.90)- though I have a feeling I'd prefer a belt - can anyone comment?

[bubba]

My opinion only, but the sporran hangers are only practical if you wear the sporran on your hip. The strap allows you to move the sporran to the side when neccesary with ease. I made a pair of the hangers to go on my belt but quickly stopped using them and made a strap instead which I use daily.

[Colin]

I own a clan crst sporran from Bear (same as the Knotwork, but with a bigger front flap). At first impression, it seems that the sporrans are rather thin, and that the flap needs some training since there is no closure. But once the flap is trained, it is a great sporran. The light weight aspect is so nice for casual wear, and you can stuff a fair bit into these sporrans, and have the room in the opening for mitts as big as mine to fit in. I have used this sporran for a daytime wedding as well, so it does look nice semi- formal. I don't own a Buzz kidder, so I can not compare the two.

Just my opinion, skip the sporran belt loops. From what I heard they have a nasty habit of causing the sporran to crash into a delicate area with force.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I wear my sporran using the belt loops we sell every day. I wear it right in the front, as usual, and haven't exerienced any, er... discomfort, as some have suggested.

I've had these about a year or so, I guess. Before that, I wore my sporran on a leather belt, and did not wear a wide kilt belt at all for daily wear. I found both ways equally comfortable.

To my mind, there isn't much practical difference between the loops and a separate belt.

Loops -- you don't have to wear two belts. I find it easier to take my sporran on and off.

Belt -- you can wear your sporran even if you are not wearing a normal kilt belt. It's easier to slide the sporran over to your hip to get it out of your way if needed.

All in all, I find it's just a matter of personal preference.
Aye,
Matt

[Casey]

I have both. The Buzz Kidder is larger and heavier than the one from Bearkilts (Celtic Empire).

[Galant]

I'm assuming then you prefer the Kidder?

Would you say the Knotwork was a bad sporran? Has it any advantaged over the Kidder?

Thanks.

[Casey]

I prefer the BK, BUT, they are both good,and I wear both. The artwork on the Celtic Empire is worth the price, alone. It also, comes with a matching leather strap.

I find that I use the CE more in the summer with my lighter weight kilts. It gives a nice balance.

Right Hamish?

[beerbecue]

It is beautiful knotwork on that sporran, and Rudi's straps look very well made and are nice looking to boot....

[Hamish]

I prefer the BK, BUT, they are both good,and I wear both. The artwork on the Celtic Empire is worth the price, alone. It also, comes with a matching leather strap.

I find that I use the CE more in the summer with my lighter weight kilts. It gives a nice balance.

Right Hamish?

I have not seen a good photo of the Celtic Empire sporrans, to be honest, so I find it rather difficult to judge and compare. I do, however, have a Buzz Kidder (the Inverness model) myself.

The BK is a great sporran, but I dislike intensly the all-round chain that came with it and have never used it. I am still old-fashioned enough to wear a chain-strap ONLY on my silver Dress sporran. All my other sporrans are worn on all-leather straps nowadays.

As regards "balance" Casey (this is visual balance we are talking of here), I guess you are correct. The BK sporrans do look heavier and bulkier than the CEs as far as I can tell, so yes, the latter would probably look better on lightweight kilts. However, your overall appearance will be balanced by more than the sporran and the kilt. For example, boots worn with rolled down hose are probably more suited to be worn with BK sporrans - because they match the 'heavier' look.

When it comes down to it, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and some experimenting with mixing-and-matching of accessories is a valuable use of ten minutes prior to your going out for the day!