Badger sporran (full-mask) manufacturers/reviews?

[creagdhubh]

Very nice, Rick!

I believe it would also be a good opportunity to point out the fact that there are fundamental differences in how full-mask sporran makers in North America make their sporrans, versus sporran makers in Britian, specifically in Scotland. The main difference is how the head of the animal is positioned and attached to the 'body' of the sporran, acting as the 'lid,' or closure to the sporran's opening (pouch).

As you can see from Rick's lovely badger sporran above, there is quite an expanse of negative (empty) space between the very top of the head in relation to where the top of the sporran 'body' begins. To my eye, the sporran would look far smarter if the body and fur extended all the way up to the top of the animal's head, essentially eliminating the negative space, thus creating a more sleek and complete look.

On most full-mask sporrans made in Scotland, the head is attached to the sporran body in a way that creates a nice 'seam' or continuance of the contour shape of the sporran as a whole, thus having no areas on either side of the sporran's top portion that may seem 'missing.' (think of an oval shape, with a 'V' drawn from the very top of the oval, with each point of the 'V' beginning at the two opposite ends that are parallel to oneanother - this how I have seen full-mask sporrans fashioned in Scotland - both new, bespoke jobs from Kate Macpherson (I am a proud owner of several Kate Macpherson full-mask (head-on) sporrans and I know Kate personally as a member of the Clan Macpherson International Association), and antique versions passed down through the generations.

Now, there is nothing wrong with full-mask sporrans made in North America, using L&M as an example, being fashioned in this manner. All I am stating is an obvious difference in aesthetic and sporran construction, with my personal preference being in favour of the Scottish made full-mask sporrans - not because they are made in Scotland, but because I prefer the way these full-mask sporrans look.

Kate Macpherson Badger Sporrans



Kate Macpherson Mink Sporran


Kate Macpherson Pine Marten Sporran


Kate Macpherson Red Fox Sporran


My friend, Bruce Macpherson of London, wearing a Kate Macpherson Scottish Wildcat Sporran - again, sporran comes with appropriate licence. Scottish Wildcats are indeed a protected species, and have become very rare in Britain, however, this one was found dead (likely killed by a passing motorist) along the A9 near Newtonmore, Inverness-shire. Bruce promptly had the pelt made into a sporran.


My friend, John Macpherson of Montrose, also wearing a Scottish Wildcat full-mask sporran, only this one was not made by Kate Macpherson. This version is over a 100 years old, and has been passed down through his family.


Former personal piper to Her Majesty the Queen, and former P/M of the Argyll-Sutherland Highlanders, P/M Jim Motherwell, wearing a rather large, badger full-mask sporran.


An array of Kate Macpherson's work at her studio located on her farm in the Highlands - wouldn't you love to own every sporran featured on the table?!



Cheers,