Braided Leather Sporran Belt

[Cayusedriver]

There have been many post in these forums and much written in articles by numerous commentators regarding how damaging wearing a chain sporran belt can be to one's kilt. It has been further reported that a leather sporran belt is kinder to the kilt causing little or no damage. My question to the group is: what is the concensus for wearing a braided leather sporran belt. I was at Tandy Leather Store today and found a book on braiding leather, I paged through it a while and saw some pictures of some very nice braiding. Anyone have any experience with wearing something like I mentioned? Gene

[Tim Little]

No personal experience, but I think it would look pretty sharp. Go for it!

[ardchoille]

I took a regular black leather sporran belt, split the leather, and braided it - braiding leather is easier than it looks. It doesn't wear at the kilt like a chain sporran belt can and it looks really nice. However, if you decide to do this I would highly recommend that you dye the leather again after making the splits (unless you're starting with raw leather) so the braids match the rest of the leather.

Also, it has been mentioned that one of the the reasons the chain wears out the kilt cloth is due to the links not being welded closed (sharp edges remain that can catch the cloth). I have been told that a chain belt in which the individual links have been welded closed doesn't wear out the kilt as fast.

I'm a fan of DIY so I would encourage you to make a braided leather strap of your own, if you can't find one you like, and post some pics.

[Nick the DSM]

I think it looks pretty cool. its like the chain but in leather.

[Cayusedriver]

I've never posted photos here and am unsure how that is done.

[ardchoille]

I've never posted photos here and am unsure how that is done.

You can post pics to a photo service, like Photobucket, and then post the picture's url (Photobucket will provide the url) by using the image button on the top of the XMarks post/reply box (on this site) - it's the button that looks like a tiny mountain against a yellow sky. Photobucket accounts are free and works great here.

If you have further questions about this, I would be willing to walk you through it, just PM me

[The Wizard of BC]

Our own Canuk or also known as Robert Pell of R-Kilts makes these. You can see them on his web site here;

http://www.rkilts.com/belts.htm

I love these so much I carry them in my shop.

[JRB]

I've got one of Robert's braided sporran straps and thinks it's the perfect for replacing a sporran chain even with formal wear. The quality black leather plaiting combined with the very nice nickel hardware make it look quite fancy. So...yes, I think a braided leather sporran strap is a fine idea. I'd like to see any
DIY versions that any forum members make.

[csbdr]

I think they look terrific! I saw someone who makes them on the internet, but I'll be dipped if I can find it again. I say go for it. Leatherbraid is cool!

[Highlander31]

I have used either a braided sporran belt or a belt sling from Craigie Originals for five years without any signs of wear.
http://www.sporrans.com/sporbelt.html