Kilt pins and Crested Sporrans

**Arlen** · 30th July 07, 07:55 AM

I had only 2 kilt pins.
One was a tacky sword and crest pin, the other a small Chameleon that Diane made me.
And recently, the sword pin broke.

What to do?! I grudge paying too much money for nice kilt pins, and I didn't want another basic sword.

So, first, I remembered that the circle on the sporran I plan to wear to my wedding was about the same size as the crest on the broken pin.
A little filing, polishing and epoxy-ing and I have a lovely sporran with my clan crest on it.
These pictures really don't do it justice.

Next, I decided to use some of my rare earth magnets to make some kilt pins.
What could I use?

I just happen to have a drawer full of old spoons that never get used.

So, a little sawing, polishing, shaping, and magneting resulted in the following...

Spoon 1...

Became...

And Spoon 2...

Became...

Each has two small magnets on it, one at the top and one in the middle. It keeps them looking loose and stops the kilt fabric bunching, but holds them on well without them sagging too much.

I know they are very different from the run of the mill pins, but I actually really like them.
So I'll polish them up a little more and use them often.

**BEEDEE** · 30th July 07, 08:10 AM

Arlen - great idea for kilt pins. Just a word of advice with rare earth magnets now I have had a chance to use them some. When getting in a car fold the apron over the magnets at the back and just hold as you sweep the kilt. I have had two occasions when the back magnets preferred the metal of the car to the magnets on the kilt pin and the pin had dragged off. May not be such a problem in the UK since you have the kilt pin on the outside when getting in the driver's seat.

Brian

**ChromeScholar** · 30th July 07, 08:42 AM

Interesting...

**Arlen** · 30th July 07, 09:10 AM

*Grins*
I don't drive and I rarely travel anywhere by car, so hopefully I will have gotten used to them before I move to America and do drive.

Thank you for the advice. It'll certainly remind me to be careful at my desk at work.

**Big Mikey** · 30th July 07, 09:59 AM

You must be PSYCHIC!!! I had the same idea a month back and was planning on doing some work this weekend! You have now set the standard for me. Looking good!

**Arlen** · 30th July 07, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by Big Mikey

You must be PSYCHIC!!! I had the same idea a month back and was planning on doing some work this weekend! You have now set the standard for me. Looking good!

*Grins*
I once read that all great developments in human society happen in various places all over the world at the same time.
I guess this is one of those developments.

I am looking forward to your designs, and the day when all X-Markers have a spoon pin.

**McMurdo** · 30th July 07, 02:11 PM

The sporran looks great, I would call it a happy accident as the kilt pins look just smashing as well, much more unique than a clan crest pin. Wear them well.

Raptor · 30th July 07, 08:30 PM

Arlen, you are certainly becoming the forum's "ideas man"! Nice stuff.

**Arlen** · 31st July 07, 05:56 AM

Originally Posted by Raptor

Arlen, you are certainly becoming the forum's "ideas man"! Nice stuff.

That's quite a compliment considering some of the talent there is on this board.

I finished off a final one this morning that I think is my favourite.

This one is actually made from an old butterknife handle rather than a spoon handle, so it is nice and heavy without bruising your knees.

Now I just have to finish the spoon-based necklaces and rings that various female friends commissioned after seeing the kilt pins.