Project Blog - Historic Sporrans / Brass Cantle Project

**artificer** · 4th March 12, 08:57 AM

The full set is completed and will shortly be winging it's way to the UK.

**NeightRG** · 4th March 12, 12:21 PM

I was eyeing up this last one on your Facebook page earlier...
Got to ask - how do these feel overall, compared to vintage brass cantles? Any big differences you notice right off?

**artificer** · 4th March 12, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by NeightRG

I was eyeing up this last one on your Facebook page earlier...
Got to ask - how do these feel overall, compared to vintage brass cantles? Any big differences you notice right off?

In my experience, the old ones are not as squarely aligned. The original this is modeled off of had one of it's "hinge arms" quite a bit longer than the other.

Also, if you look closely you can see the RSF body is narrower than the left side. It was about 5/64" (2mm) narrower, if I recall correctly.

For those not following it, HERE is another old piece I'm working on.

**Downunder Kilt** · 4th March 12, 01:10 PM

Fantastic Scott, congratulations on another masterpiece mate

**creagdhubh** · 5th March 12, 06:31 AM

Gorgeous as ever, Scott!

It's good to see you taking on more projects in regards to the various sporrans featured in Kenneth MacLeay's, The Highlanders of Scotland. I was pleasantly suprised to see Ewan Macpherson's sporran molach being one of your selections, hmmm, I may have to have that one commissioned by you at some point in time, along with a strew of other sporrans - both molach, and leather.

The M3 design appears to be rather straight-forward and simple - especially concerning the shape and style of the cantle - about as simple as you can get, I suppose! I especially like MacKenzie and Colquhoun's sporrans, very smart indeed.

Your work is superb, and I am constantly amazed and in awe of your heirloom-quality creations. I simply cannot wait until I can begin the commissioning process with you, Scott.

Best wishes,

**artificer** · 5th March 12, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by Downunder Kilt

Fantastic Scott, congratulations on another masterpiece mate

Thank you!

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

Gorgeous as ever, Scott!

It's good to see you taking on more projects in regards to the various sporrans featured in Kenneth MacLeay's, The Highlanders of Scotland. I was pleasantly suprised to see Ewan Macpherson's sporran molach being one of your selections, hmmm, I may have to have that one commissioned by you at some point in time, along with a strew of other sporrans - both molach, and leather.

The M3 design appears to be rather straight-forward and simple - especially concerning the shape and style of the cantle - about as simple as you can get, I suppose! I especially like MacKenzie and Colquhoun's sporrans, very smart indeed.

Your work is superb, and I am constantly amazed and in awe of your heirloom-quality creations. I simply cannot wait until I can begin the commissioning process with you, Scott.

Best wishes,

Thanks Kyle,

You're right, of course. M3 is Ewan Macpherson's

And the whole portrait for those unfamiliar with it:

I think the term is "deceptively simple"

To quote Anthony Bourdain - "An ounce of sauce covers a multitude of sins."

When something is so pared down, every tiny detail of proportion and construction becomes something very noticeable.

I am looking forward many hours spent obsessing about the exact bend and balance of that very simple arc of metal.

**Ryan Ross** · 5th March 12, 07:44 PM

Scott- The old sporranmakers may have been forgotten, but I doubt you will be. 150 years from now, your sporrans will be up on the future version of ebay, listed by name, and selling for top dollar. Provided folks take care of the leather properly, that is. But if not, your cantles will be their on their own.

You heard it here first, folks.

**artificer** · 6th March 12, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by Ryan Ross

Scott- The old sporranmakers may have been forgotten, but I doubt you will be. 150 years from now, your sporrans will be up on the future version of ebay, listed by name, and selling for top dollar. Provided folks take care of the leather properly, that is. But if not, your cantles will be their on their own.

You heard it here first, folks.

The wonderful thing about prophesying the semi-distant future is that none of us will be here to prove you wrong

That said, my wife actually voiced something similar a few months ago - only she mentioned a future "Antiques Roadshow".

It's a wonderful picture, but again, history tends to forget the little people.

I can be content with the fact that, at the end of a project, I can say "I made this". It's certainly a satisfaction I never got in the corporate world (although the money was better there).

All the same, it would be lovely to have my work loved, cherished as heirlooms, and fought over by great-grandchildren.

- One great thing about sporrans is they tend to be "one size fits all".

**Drac** · 6th March 12, 07:19 PM

Sorry I'm late on this.

Very nice work Scott. Large scale construction is never easy but you pulled it off.

Jim

**artificer** · 11th July 12, 06:09 AM

It's been a while since I've posted on this thread, but here's a little something that's been on the bench for a while. I just finished it and it's out in the post to it's commissioner.

Detail shot of the cantle

Somewhat rarer for me, this one is of contemporary construction with full storage

Finally a shot of the rear panel.

The cantle style is modeled off Kenneth Mackenzie's (as painted by Ken MacLeay), with the hair and body taken from the portrait of Colin Campbell

Campbell below:

As always, constructive commentary and critique are welcome.