Sporrons

**manckilt** · 17th December 11, 03:42 AM

I am a large guy and want to buy a sporron. I may get one for Christmas. What do I need to attach it to my kilt. Do I need to buy a chain. Unfortunately, I haven't got much money.

**artificer** · 17th December 11, 06:27 AM

For wearing a sporran you have three choices.

1) chain - commonly seen and sold with many sporrans. I wouldn't recommend it for regular wear, as it will abrade the material on your kilt quite quickly.

2) strap - a thin leather belt that replaces the chain and "d-strap" (the small leather strap with two d-rings that may reside in your sporrans strap-keeper when you get it).
A sporran strap is much more comfortable than a chain, and if it's well made (finished back and edges) will not cause damage to your kilt.

3) hangers - you may or may not come across these in the UK, but they are two straps that hang off your kilt belt (more properly known as a dirk belt). They attach to the d-strap like your chain would. Commonly seen on gentleman of substance in the US, as this way the sporran doesn't ride below the belly.

Of all the options, the simple strap gets my vote, and isn't difficult to find.

ith:

**dutchy kilted** · 17th December 11, 07:11 AM

I am also a man substance, but I really don't like the look or feel of the chains.

I went to a local leather shop and got an extremely thin belt for about $20 to use as a strap. It looks and ride very well.

**Father Bill** · 17th December 11, 07:15 AM

I bought a plain black woman's narrow belt size XXXL at WalMart - $13. Works great and looks good.

**OC Richard** · 17th December 11, 07:16 AM

Originally Posted by artificer

1) chain - commonly seen and sold with many sporrans. I wouldn't recommend it for regular wear, as it will abrade the material on your kilt quite quickly.

I find this statement odd, as in my nearly 40 years of kiltwearing I have owned a large number of good Scottish-made chain-straps, and they have invariably been as smooth as glass, with absolutely nothing which would cause wear to the kilt; indeed a proper chain-strap glides over the surface of the kilt just as the side of a smooth glass bottle would.

That's not to say that poorly or incorrectly made chain-straps do not exist: I've seen Pakistani-made chain straps which were rough.

I have myself recently taken to wearing a plain leather sporran strap, and I have had a slight worry that the strap might cause wear to the kilt, because though the leather is smooth it's not nearly as smooth as the reverse side of a good chain-strap.

**Chas** · 17th December 11, 07:16 AM

Hi manckilt,

I gave up wearing or using chains years ago. I use a strap or belt now.

The easiest and cheapest option is to visit all the charity shops in your area. You are looking for a belt that is about 1" (or slightly less) wide. It needs to be your waist size plus up to half again. I always look in the women's section first. There are usually lots of belts designed for 'bigger' girls, which are longer.

Chains usually are buckled at the middle of your back - really hurts when you sit or lean against a hard surface.

A strap can be buckled anywhere. This is me at the border. Note how my sporran strap is buckled at my right hip

This arrangement allows me to slide my sporran on to my left hip for sitting or driving or anything that requires me to lift my aprons.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Chas

**artificer** · 17th December 11, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by manckilt

I am a large guy and want to buy a sporron. I may get one for Christmas. What do I need to attach it to my kilt. Do I need to buy a chain. Unfortunately, I haven't got much money.

Originally Posted by OC Richard

I find this statement odd, as in my nearly 40 years of kiltwearing I have owned a large number of good Scottish-made chain-straps, and they have invariably been as smooth as glass, with absolutely nothing which would cause wear to the kilt; indeed a proper chain-strap glides over the surface of the kilt just as the side of a smooth glass bottle would.

That's not to say that poorly or incorrectly made chain-straps do not exist: I've seen Pakistani-made chain straps which were rough.

I have myself recently taken to wearing a plain leather sporran strap, and I have had a slight worry that the strap might cause wear to the kilt, because though the leather is smooth it's not nearly as smooth as the reverse side of a good chain-strap.

Richard, I'm basing this advice on the OP's statement that he wasn't looking to spend much.

Lots of Pakistani chains are garbage. There are many that don't even have welded links. If you do a forum search for kilt damage and chains you can spot a number of threads showing what a bad chain or cheap clip does to a kilt.

I'm assuming that not spending much is going to mean "import". I should have perhaps said "If you're willing to spend at least as much for a chain as you would for a strap, a chain will be fine".

ith:

**davidg** · 17th December 11, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by artificer

I'm assuming that not spending much is going to mean "import". I should have perhaps said "If you're willing to spend at least as much for a chain as you would for a strap, a chain will be fine".

ith:

Not necessarily, although I suppose a lot depends on what "not much" actually means

It is possible to pick up a good quality sporran complete with strap from £40 at http://www.caledoniancreations.com/default.htm

Scotweb also has a good quality basic sporran complete with strap for a fraction over £40 at http://www.scotweb.co.uk/products/es...ywear-sporran/

I know that with Caledonia Creations you can ask for a leather instead of a chain strap if you wish. I'm not sure about Scotweb but it is easy enough to ask although in both cases the chain strap will be good quality and very smooth

A sporran is, perhaps, an area where quality is paramount and a good quality basic sporran can be worn to most events bar strictly formal (and even then you could probably get away with it)

**Mickey** · 17th December 11, 09:05 AM

As far as sporrans go, I would recommend Stillwater Kilts. Decent sporrans and straps at a very affordable price.

**Big Mikey** · 17th December 11, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by manckilt

I am a large guy and want to buy a sporron. I may get one for Christmas. What do I need to attach it to my kilt. Do I need to buy a chain. Unfortunately, I haven't got much money.

As the original Gentleman of Substance, I feel ya bro. As stated, sporran hangers are great. They carry the weight of the sporran without causing any of the "belly pooching" you can get with a belt or chains. See below.

Having said that, a belt does work well if you get a good belt and wear your sporran at the proper level.

As to sporrans, the one pictured was made by Thorfinn Custom Sporrans, a member here and a great guy to work with. It was made to my specs to be proportional and it is fantastic.

Another fine craftsman is Artificer, also a member. Though pics have not yet been posted, he made for me a beautiful beaver sporran fashioned after a
19th century style. It is also larger than usual and is a masterwork.

Neither of these makers products are as inexpensive as the mass produced items you can find on EBay BUT if you want a sporran that is high in quality, timeless in style and worthy of becoming a family heirloom, check them out. Good luck in the search and Merry Christmas.