Kilt-Mart sporran

[Bugbear]

I put a correction in my post, I was talking about the Ferguson Britt sporrans at the STM, rather than the L and M which are handled differently there.

[Tiny]

Ok I've been wearing this sporran for a few days now and its holding up well. I'll say I'm sorry to those who seem offended by my Pakistani sporran. the only version of this sporran I had seen up to this point has been the one I purchased and the one from L & M. Had I know about another option for this sporran I may have held off and saved up for it. As far as how much I paid, I paid $23 so in no way do I feel ripped off. I got roughly half the quality for 10% of the price.

The idea that if its not made in Scotland its crap is too narrowminded for me. Please remember that I do own this I spent my hard earned money on it and I DO wear it. I don't insult what you wear or your choices in kit. The reason for these reviews on the cheaper products its to give a realistic view of the product so others who maybe short on cash can make educated decisions on where to spend there money and where to save some pennies.

I stand by my choice to pick up this very affordable sporran and enjoy wearing it. I would recomend this sporran to anyone looking for a cheap starter sporran. its after you have got your kit together and you get a feel for what your style is that you know what you really want to spend extra on and what you shouldn't.

If anything this sporran has given me more ideas for when I eventualy make my own.

[Tiny]

Part of the unseen cost involved in purchasing a cheap Asian imported sporran or kilt is the effect it has on Scotland's economy. Nicoll Brothers, a Scottish sporran maker who had been around since the 1830's was forced to close their doors a couple of years ago due to the fact that the plague of cheap Asian imported sporrans has had a devastating impact on the demand for high-quality, Scottish manufactured goods. The more people buy this foreign crap, the more high quality Scottish owned businesses will suffer, until there are eventually none left, then everyone will have to settle for shoddily-made counterfeits.

As a testament to the enduring quality of true Scottish made goods, I would offer the following example:

Note the silver-mounted sporran worn by the lad on the left in the front row of this circa 1900 photograph:



It's the same one shown being worn by his great nephew 100 years later in this photo:

I will eventually buy a high end sporran, however right now I'm in no position to spend that kind of money. In regards to the high end sporran I get later I am more likely to commission a custom piece made by a local leather worker instead of buying a sporran from Scotland. By hiring a leather worker to make my sporran I can have a true custom piece of art that is exactly what I want and no one will have the same sporran. Also by using a local leather worker I support my local economy.

[Chas]

As a testament to the enduring quality of true Scottish made goods, I would offer the following example:

Note the silver-mounted sporran worn by the lad on the left in the front row of this circa 1900 photograph:



It's the same one shown being worn by his great nephew 100 years later in this photo:

Sorry, these are not the same sporrans.

1. The rivets on the targes are different.
2. The tassels are different.
3. The length of the tassels are different.
4. The tassel bells are different.

Regards

Chas

[HighlandMax]

I have purchased a total of 3 sporrans from KiltMart, and am pleased with all 3 of them. I agree with some of you about the high cost a sporran sales for at other kilt stores. I also have one from StillWater, another good one at a reasonable cost.
However, if you should buy kilt hose from kiltmart, beware. I know the old saying that you get what you pay for, I had bought a pair of black kilt hose for $ 8.00. Put them on, and they came no higher up my legs than a plain pair of socks. Since they were only $8.00 I kept them, but if I had paid more, I would have returned them. I e-mailed kiltmart and let them know that the hose appeared to be for a child and not an adult. I got no reply from them. However, I will continue to do buisiness with them, but not anymore hose.

[Tiny]

I figured I should do an update on this review. The sporran still looks about the same as when I bought it. its got some wear marks inside from over loading it, and some light scuffing on the front from where I bump it into things while I'm at work. all in all its been a good sporran. The only issue I now find myself with is the other day I caught it on the edge of a counter at work and heard a pop. one of the rivits on the back, that help hold the sporran strap loop on, pulled through the leather. Now the sporran hangs a lil crooked but not terrible.

I'd say for a cheap sporran I got some good use out of it as I wore this sporran everyday since it arrived. I just won an auction on eBay for a black and white cow hide sporran which should show up soon. I'll be saving a few more coins and investing in a Buzz Kidder soon but I think I'll stick with my cheap SWK sporran for at work.