why so expensive?

**JamieKerr** · 7th March 08, 12:34 PM

I think he's just talking about sporran prices, but I may be mistaken.

**Chef** · 7th March 08, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by JamieKerr

I think he's just talking about sporran prices, but I may be mistaken.

You may be right; I may have misread it. That makes a big difference.

**Nick the DSM** · 7th March 08, 02:57 PM

aint so expensive at stillwater- less than 50usd!!!

**Jako Dar** · 7th March 08, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by Chef

While bargains are available, I would say that your are a little optimistic, particularly if you expect a jacket etc. for the full dress kilt for $300. If what your hoping to get is all the outfits for the total cost listed it would be possible since certain items can pull double duty.

I was talking about just the Sporrans. Sorry about the confusion.

**Donnie** · 7th March 08, 06:16 PM

I think to appreciate the price and the quality of a sporran, you need to sit down and make one. By the time you purchase the materials, cut the various parts out, and as in my case, hand tool the parts you want done. Then glue, rivet and or hand sew, lace everything together. There has been some five to seven hours work. How much is a craftsman's time worth. Not to mention his talent!
Don't mean to rant, but, it is WORK!

**RobertParker** · 7th March 08, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by Donnie

I think to appreciate the price and the quality of a sporran, you need to sit down and make one. By the time you purchase the materials, cut the various parts out, and as in my case, hand tool the parts you want done. Then glue, rivet and or hand sew, lace everything together. There has been some five to seven hours work. How much is a craftsman's time worth. Not to mention his talent!
Don't mean to rant, but, it is WORK!

That is of course quite understandable. I do a good bit of woodworking (cabinet making, etc.) and know the value of time and craftsmanship. I guess my complaints were more with the cheaply made, but still expensive, mass-produced variety of sporrans.

**TatterDel** · 7th March 08, 08:32 PM

Have you thought of making one?
I'm serious! I used two types of leather black leather. Both were scrapes donated. One was a ridged thicker leather for the back and flap and the other was a soft garment leather for the sides and lining. I used an old fur collar for the fur and an old earring of my mother-in-law's to decorate the flap. I made a leather knot button and a loop to close it.
I made an American simi-formal. (Yes, I've been told they don't do that in Scotland).
It really wasn't that difficult. It was time consuming and I did splurge and get a stitch punch so I could get the stitched holes even but I double stitched the entire thing with black sinew. I even made my own tassels and beaded them with silver beads at the head of each tassel.
My husband loves it but he doesn't even own a kilt yet! He wears it with his tunic and shirt I made him for Ren Fest. His tunic has a black leather rampant lion on the front and Celtic knot work up the insets of his sleeves of his shirt.

**Donnie** · 8th March 08, 05:52 AM

I guess I'm a little ashamed of my rant yesterday. I understand that the thread was about production line sporrans. Just a little frustration coming out!
Sorry

**Dukeof Kircaldy** · 23rd April 08, 12:48 PM

Actually, Donnie, I think you have a point. The really expensive sporrans I have seen which are worth the money are (a) handmade (b) better materials (c) unusual or high quality material. On the other hand, you can find inexpensive sporrans which are of more than acceptable quality.

**Ryan Ross** · 23rd April 08, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by Dukeof Kircaldy

Actually, Donnie, I think you have a point. The really expensive sporrans I have seen which are worth the money are (a) handmade (b) better materials (c) unusual or high quality material. On the other hand, you can find inexpensive sporrans which are of more than acceptable quality.

I agree. The only sporran I've made is about as simple a sporran as there ever was, and it still took me a few hours to stitch together!

Making some of the wonderful pieces of art that I've seen around here must take a huge ammount of time and effort to craft.... also, I find that hand made sporrans are generally better, not only in craftsmanship, materials, and exotic touches, but also in design! For a while there, it seemed like the only well made, roomy, good looking, semi-production made sporran that was available for a low price were the Buzz Kidders. They're still my sporran of choice, for casual and everyday wear.