Sporran choice - Semi-dress or Historical?

[Mike M.]

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a sporran, but need some advice. One part of me wants to get a Ferguson Britt historical sporran, as they are reputed to be top quality, and I like the design. But are they appropriate for anything other than day wear? My budget really won't allow a bunch of sporrans.

Or would I be better served with an entry-level sporran?

Opinions?

[Panache]

Mike,

In answer to your question. I have something like 14 or 15 sporrans and if I had to choose to keep and use only one of them for all my outfits it would be my black Fergusson Britt mink leather cantled one. It and my full mask raccoon sporran are the only ones I can wear with a polo shirt as well as my Sheriffmuir doublet.

Cheers

Jamie

[gary meakin]

I'd go with the Ferguson Britt.
To me a semi-dress sporran looks like it doesn't belong anywhere.
Too dressy for daywear.
Not dressy enough for formal wear.
Remember daywear refers to what you're wearing, not necessarily when you're wearing it.

[Panache]

If I may offer this advice to you though. Were I starting over and wanted to keep the amount of kit down (for reasons of money, space, or ease) I would get the black FB sporran AND a simple brown Buzz Kidder one. The Buzz Kidder sporrans can't be beat for value and quality at their price point and there are times (like hiking, camping, etc) where you don't want to be wearing an expensive sporran. From what I gather most Scots tend to own two sporrans. A daywear one and a dress one. Choosing wisely the first time means you wind up with two sporrans that will serve you well whatever the circumstances.

Cheers

Jamie

[B R Gordon]

I agree with Jamie. You can't go wrong with a Ferguson Britt sporran. I've got a number of sporrans, but if I had to pick one, I'd go with my black mink. My second choice would be my chocolate brown Invernan, although if I wanted this for my only one, I'd go with black.

[Grizzly]

What about our own Artificer, from what I have seen he makes sporrans which are more than a match for a FB and as it will be made to your wishes it will be unique and of top top quality.

[Dale Seago]

From pics I've seen of Scott's (Artificer's) work I'd agree that you can't go wrong there; however, I have no direct experience with his stuff. On the other hand, according to Lamar Britt, I currently own more of his Ferguson Britt sporrans than anyone else, which should tell you a bit about what I think of the quality and his designs. I have four that I would have no qualms about wearing with formal wear:

1) black Duin Uasal

2) black Glen Shira Mor

3) black stingray skin Inverlochy with black tassels and black leather cantle w/MOD-style closure

4) natural-color beaver fur Glengyle with black leather cantle & tassels

If I were forced (and believe me it would be a hard fight) to get rid of all but two, I'd keep my two Glen Shira Mor sporrans: one's black (#2, above) and one's dark chocolate brown. Of all my sporrans (and I have others besides Lamar's), those two are the ones I wear the most often. If I had to make do with only one for everything, I think it would be the black Glen Shira Mor.

Now that's if I were paring down. Jamie said,

Were I starting over and wanted to keep the amount of kit down (for reasons of money, space, or ease) I would get the black FB sporran AND a simple brown Buzz Kidder one. The Buzz Kidder sporrans can't be beat for value and quality at their price point and there are times (like hiking, camping, etc) where you don't want to be wearing an expensive sporran.

Agreed. If I were starting over, that's the sort of approach I'd take.

[rondo]

Good advice from all so far. My go to day wear is a black and brown Rob Roy style from Donnie at Wyvern. I'll eventually add a full mask or horsehair for formal events. I'm a minimalist...less is more, 2 quality sporrans should suffice. If I could only have 1 sporran I think I'd get the best quality black leather sporran, maybe hand tooled with a nice design, it should serve for everything. Would I wear my Wyvern sporran formally? You bet, it is high enough quality it would work. Will an FB do the same? You bet.
Rondo

[Downunder Kilt]

I would suggest another type of sporran that should go into the mix, that being a brass functioning cantled sporran, made by Artificer. I know how much Ferguson Britt sporrans go for, but not sure on the cost of a Artificer commission these days.
You can select whatever colour you want for the bag and such a sporran serves you very well for any event you are likely to attend. An added bonus is that you will be unlikely to ever bump into anyone with the same sporran. I suggest you contact Artificer and get a quote.

[Mickey]

Great advice. I myself am squirreling away for a FB. Ever since Ryan and Dale starting putting up pics of their stingrays, I've wanted one, and more importantly, my wife loves them too. She keeps surfing for stingray leather on the assumption that I could even begin to make something like that. I hope to someday be able to but it won't be anytime soon.

That said, I have a fur semi dress that I've worn exactly twice, A slightly modified black Buzz Kidder that is my go to, a brown leather SWK nightstalker for when I need an insane amount of space, a rather inexpensive cowhide dress sporran that will be using as a platform when I get around to making my own fur one, and a black leather day sporran that I added spikes to for my son but I wear sometimes for fun.

I also have a few cantles laying around that I'm not sure what to attempt with, but spinning ideas.

I'd also like an Artificer, but I'm afraid to even ask for an estimate. I'm pretty sure I can't afford the man's work so until I come across some blackmail material...