[csbdr]

OK, I go and get a nice vintage seal sporran...

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/a...889/index.html

which to my eye seems to be in great wearable shape. I wore it to an event last weekend and 2 problems occured, I think because the seal skin itself was fragile/dry, whereas the cowskin bag, etc. was fine.

1. after opening and closing it through the evening, a crack developed in the sealskin between 2 tassle chains

2. A couple strips came off the gusset, and fell off, exposing the cowhide.

I only carried a card, my license, a bill clip, and an Iphone, so I didn't jam it full of stuff, and it was all relatively flat.

I think I can take a knife blade and work the crack back together the right way and glue it. I also have some similarly colored seal skin in the basement which I picked up for fly tying (ladies gloves and handbag - vintage) Assuming that the spare seal doesn't have the same issue, and is more pliable (I haven't gotten it out yet...)

a. does this repair seem feasible (to cut out a patch and glue it in like a puzzle piece)

b. what to use for glue?

c. should I send it to someone for a repair? if so, who?

d. would I be better off, considering this is likely to happen again, just redoing the whole thing in a differnt, more pliable fur? I have a whole fox and coyote, both skins in good shape, which I could theoretically use. Again, how to glue?

I'd like to save this and still wear it, maybe without carrying anything next time (that's what my wife's purse is for, I guess...)

Any advise from our pro/amateur leatherworkers welcome

[bricekolob]

I am no professional sporran maker, but this is what I would do. I would tear off the old seal and put a different fur on, It will probably come off pretty easily.

[csbdr]

Originally Posted by bricekolob

I am no professional sporran maker, but this is what I would do. I would tear off the old seal and put a different fur on, It will probably come off pretty easily.

I've admired the sporrans you have made. If I were to do this, would it mean taking the whole bag apart and sewing the skin/bag together, or do you think I could get a good result by cutting and gluing panels? What kind of glue would you use? thanks!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

My sealskin sporran is about 35 years old and has a tiny strip that came off the bottom probably ten years ago. I talked to a furrier in Dublin where I was living at the time and he suggested that seal skin does that; if it isn't properly tanned there can be "dry patches" that will, in time crack.

If the cracking is severe I would suggest that rather than try the DIY approach you first talk to a furrier and see if it can be professionally repaired.

[Tobus]

My guess is that even if you can manage to repair it, you'll get more and more of the same issue happening.

If you have enough seal skin to recover it, that's probably the sensible thing to do. Getting the old cover off may be easy, but you may have to scrape some of it off, depending on how it was glued originally. That's good; it'll give you a rough surface to glue the new seal skin on.

At the saddle shop, they always use contact cement for permanently gluing leather and other skins together. Look at your local Tandy store. Don't buy the rubber cement; buy contact cement.

[berserkbishop]

Well you just happen to have a hobby sporran maker that just moved to Saratoga Springs. If you would like me to take a look at it for you I would be more than happy too. I have made several sporrans that I think have come out rather well and have even sold to a member here. Cant remember who right now though. Not making any promises, but I might be able to steer you in the right direction if it is not something I could fix.

Reston

[csbdr]

Thanks for the insights. I looked at it last night and I do think more of this will occur. The seal is alot more fragile than I thought. I have to dig out my supply and take a look at it. I've been sick so I haven't done much of anything. I may ake you up on that offer, Reston. I'll check my stocks of fur and see what the options may be.

[berserkbishop]

Ok, sounds good. I think it sounds like a good excuse for a kilted meetup.