DIY Sporran #2, a Dress Sporran with home made cantel

[Bart_In_A_Kilt]

My Latest Sporran. I still don't have tassles on it. I havent decided if I want to use the fox feet for that... but here it is. Once again I used a womens leather handbag as a donor for the leather, seam ripped it for the hardware and leather, and got to it. The Fox fur is left over from the pelt I used from the full face sporran I made earlier. The cantel started off as a 7 1/4" stainless steel disc with a 5/16 lip. I hammer peened the finish and added shamrocks, ( Im Irish) , but I'm luke warm on that look. Im guessing that Ill leave it that way thru St Patricks day, and consider a change after that.



...and of course the first sporran I made, the Full Face Red Fox.

[shawhighlander]

Guid oan ye, Mate! It looks like you have something exciting to wear on St. Patrick's Day. Makes looking forward to it more fun, Aye.

[ChattanCat]

Very nicely done. I agree with you on the shamrocks, they gota go. They make it look kind of plastic.

[Chas]

Hi Bart,

Now that looks like a decent size for a sporran! I am trying my hand at sporran making, but I can't believe the regulations or maybe the political correctness about buying fur in this country. The anti-fur brigade have really frightened the industry and all we seem to get is this Faux stuff. I am so jealous.

Regards

Chas

[Panache]

Very nicely done. I agree with you on the shamrocks, they gota go. They make it look kind of plastic.

These are my feelings exactly. The fur is so nice it would be better to have a more understated ornament (smaller metal shamrocks? perhaps )for the cantle

Still my hat is off to you for making such an otherwise nice sporran

Cheers

Jamie

[pipesndrumsnun]

I like the shamrocks; they make it kind of fun! Maybe you could find a small medallion type key chain (just metal, no color) with a shamrock or Celtic knots, and replace your current shamrocks with that.

[Bart_In_A_Kilt]

Like I said, after St Pats day, the large Shamrocks will go in favor of something a bit more muted and appropriate, but still "Irish".

For now, I'm looking for suitable tassels. With a metal, chrome or otherwise head and fur ( preferably white ) fur. Otherwise I may just use the paws of the fox. ( but a 3 legged fox? ) Any suggestions, sources and supplies or comments welcome.

[thescot]

Dang, Bart. Nice work. I wouldn't mind the shamrocks if you want a "loud" look for St. Paddy's Day--not my style, really--but I agree that you might want a little more subtle cantle for most of the usage.

I sure can't find anything that's not first rate about those sporrans. Thanks for the pictures.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Like I said, after St Pats day, the large Shamrocks will go in favor of something a bit more muted and appropriate, but still "Irish".

You might want to consider engraving spirals on the cantle, as they are often found on megalithic tombs in Ireland.

For now, I'm looking for suitable tassels. With a metal, chrome or otherwise head and fur ( preferably white ) fur. Otherwise I may just use the paws of the fox. ( but a 3 legged fox? ) Any suggestions, sources and supplies or comments welcome.

Early sporrans tended to have a tassel on each side, and one or two on the front. If you don't want to use the paws, you might want to consider brass balls with two or three rings cut round the circumference, and then nickle plated to tone in with the steel cantle.

[Bugbear]

Very interesting discussion.

The dress cantle/sporran seems to be another item open to individual expression, within limmits and taste, in formal Highland attire. Perhaps a DIY type of person could put a theme of design through the buttons, buckles, and cantle...