Shortening a sporran chain

[YoungMan]

I need to short a sporran chain, and I'm wondering if the easiest way is just to take up the slack then bolt cut the section out. I'm worried that not having a way to reweld the links will leave the chain considerably weaker than before.

[sathor]

bolt cutters? <<Shudder>>

Two small pair of pliers to open and close the links I would think. Heck, I have used a Gerber and a car key in a pinch.

[YoungMan]

Will bending the links weaken them? I've only got the one chain right now, and I'd hate to dump my sporran in public (friends graduation).

[sathor]

Will bending the links weaken them? I've only got the one chain right now, and I'd hate to dump my sporran in public (friends graduation).

probably, but the question is by how much. depending on how you connect it, ( D rings or continuous though the loop on the back) you might be able to have some extra chain dangling, and/or use a spare clip to hold up the slack.

[YoungMan]

Now that I look at it, I should be able to take all the slack of the fronts of the chain (they connect with clips to d-rings). Then I can just run the clips through the first undamaged link so that they still have the best strength for the job. Thanks for the suggestion Sathor!

[sathor]

no problem. It sounds like you are doing what I did for my son's sporran chain, my other suggestion I had used in making a new sporran hanger.