buzzkidder vs buzzkidderoriginals

[MacFett]

I've been looking to get an Iverness Sporran from Buzz Kidder and I've found there are two websites registered to different people through different companies with the same product, different prices and different contact emails.

http://www.buzzkidder.com/

and

http://www.buzzkidderoriginals.com/

Is this the same company? Did the brother's split? Neither one is answering emails. I've heard good thing about their sporrans but am leery to make a purchase when I can't get an email returned with a couple questions about the sporrans.

[seanachie]

I've been looking to get an Iverness Sporran from Buzz Kidder and I've found there are two websites registered to different people through different companies with the same product, different prices and different contact emails.

http://www.buzzkidder.com/

and

http://www.buzzkidderoriginals.com/

Is this the same company? Did the brother's split? Neither one is answering emails. I've heard good thing about their sporrans but am leery to make a purchase when I can't get an email returned with a couple questions about the sporrans.

I bought one from buzzkidder.com recently. They were slow on email and I understood this was because the took their computer to a trade show and it wasn't in the office. I called and spoke to someone and they were quite pleasant and followed through on their commitments. I have the Rob Roy and am pretty pleased with it. The only thing I would contemplate in hindsight was moving to the Inverness because it has a wider opening. Not a major issue at all but the opening for the Rob Roy is narrower than the base and occasionally takes a second to get something out.

[Rex_Tremende]

Is this the same company? Did the brother's split? Neither one is answering emails. I've heard good thing about their sporrans but am leery to make a purchase when I can't get an email returned with a couple questions about the sporrans.

Seems that your answer can be found on the "About Buzz Kidder" link on the latter site:

About Buzz Kidder Originals
Buzz Kidder was started years ago by Bob Kidder. Bob is a large man and competed in the games as an athlete. As the years came on Bob became the athletic director of the Tucson Games. Bob started making the Game shirts for the different events. Bob started making different "T" shirts, as his business grew he called on his life long friend that grew up next door to in New Jersey Mark Johnson. Mark would help Bob at the different events.

As time went by Mark had move out to California. In 1999 Mark and his wife Loretta bought Buzz Kidder from Bob. Since the business was only a side line business Mark and Loretta concentrated on the west coast and renamed the business Buzz Kidder Originals of California. They have expanded the business from three games in California to 19 Games on the west coast. Mark and Loretta believe in quality products for a great price. Since we bought the business we have greatly expanded from "T" shirts to a large Varity of Scottish Goods

I have two Buzz Kidder sporrans, one in brown and one in black, though I can't recall where I got them. I find these to be pretty useful as sporrans go, roomy, affordable, and not cheesy looking (to my eye), and they kind of keep me from wanting other sporrans (much). While they're not appropriate for a terribly dressy affair, they're just right for me and go about anywhere I do.

Regards,
Rex.

[MacBean]

Someone recommended BuzzKidder to me, so I got a Loch Ness which I like. Don't expect them to respond to web site email queries (or even web site orders)...they seem to lie dormant (twice now). I think their business is mostly at games, not the web site.

[MacFett]

Does anyone know of any of our sponsors that carry the Iverness? I looked a USA kilts and Freedom kilts and while they both had some Buzz Kidders, they did not have the iverness.

[edit]Found my answer, http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/sporran_cas.html[/edit]

Today is payday, hopefully The Keeper of the Funds will allow a purchase.

[MacMillans son]

I can't speak to Buzzkidder, but have personal experience with Donnie Hailey of Wyvern Leatherworks. His work is absolutely gorgeous, his prices are quite reasonable, and his response time and service second to none! I would highly recommend him for your next sporran!

www.wyvernleatherworks.com/

Regards,
Brooke

[MacFett]

Wyvern is on my list of sporrans to get. Right now the budget is < $80. A with a Buzz Kidder I'll be able to also purchase a Stillwater Nightstalker.

My uber cheap sporran is just to small for my needs and my only other sporran is a seal fur that has lost a tassle.

I also have a custom designed Rob Roy style sporran in the works from a local leather worker here in Maryland.

But when funds become available I will be getting myself a Wyvern and a Thorfinn, then it is time to beef up my kilt collection.

[seanachie]

Because I knew the price on the Iverness I had not mentioned Wyvern, thinking you were looking for a lower priced sporran, but I echo the earlier comments. I have a gorgeous sporran that Donnie made, though I wear more for dressup. The Nightstalker is also a great sporran. It takes a lot of punishment and I wear it doing dirtier and more active stuff. With 2 active dogs who love to play by jumping all over me, it is great because with the nylon it does not scratch. And there is lots of room. Just make sure if you use the standard rings with the sporran AND are wearing a sporran strap that you have large trigger snaps. My nightstalker has nice large D rings on a piece of heavy duty nylon and I frequently use Oconee sporran hangers because of the nice large trigger snaps. You can, of course, use smaller D rings and I do sometimes.

As a side note, I am confused by the information Rex shared. I know when I ordered from buzzkidder.com the order shipped from Arizona not California, and when I called I was speaking with Arizona. So I am not clear whether they are the same or separate..

[MacFett]

Also see that Stillwater kilts sells Buzz Kidders but he is currently out of stock on the BKs.