Umm..Strange request-Your thoughts?

[QMcK]

I don't see why it's creepy. It's just odd.

[QMcK]

I guess he'll just get some horse hair.

[HarborSpringsPiper]

I just had to Google it. And at #11 . . .http://thebeautybrains.com/2007/12/3...or-human-hair/

[yowza]

She could put it in a pony tail first before it's cut, (which she will have to do first anyway). Then it will be a legit pony hair sporran.

[sydnie7]

I could see a macrame-style overlay of braided/knotted hair over a leather sporran body. Very Victorian-mourning style. A bit creepy, yes.

[ccga3359]

It is neither illegal or immoral. If this is what the guy really wants and if you're fine with it. Other sporran makers might turn him down so you might be a last ray of hope. My wife cut her hair for the same reason, it was heartbreaking for her, she has kept her pony tail but I personally wouldn't want to have a sporran from it.

[GDub]

It's just hair. A couple of small, tight braids for tassles might be kind of cool, but that would have been easier done while the hair was still on the head. A horsehair style sporran with human hair seems kind of weird. But... why not? Please post pics when it's done.

BTW, old hippy here. I still have my braid from when I cut my hair back in the mid 70s:

[ThistleDown]

It is neither illegal or immoral. If this is what the guy really wants and if you're fine with it. Other sporran makers might turn him down so you might be a last ray of hope. My wife cut her hair for the same reason, it was heartbreaking for her, she has kept her pony tail but I personally wouldn't want to have a sporran from it.

Absolutely. May we ask what you have in mind for a design? Perhaps share a sketch or two? My sister and two cousins inherited all the Victorian mourning jewellry in the family (we died en masse, oir so it seems): some of it is exquisitely beautiful. As Sydnie7 suggested, braided it could be unique. Josh, can you keep us posted on this? You are about to create a work of art in the old manner and there are many of us who will be fascinated by your design and your craftsmanship.

[Tobus]

I think the 'creepy' factor comes from the idea of wearing any part of a human as decoration. It probably wouldn't be as creepy were it not for the history of Native Americans wearing them (with scalp attached) in precisely the same manner - as decorations on their belts.

That said, if she's OK with it, I think it's a great gesture on her part and would make a very symbolic and meaningful sporran for the gentleman. My wife has very long hair as well; it's so long she has to sweep it out of the way so she doesn't sit on it. She does complain about the weight of it, especially when it's tied up on top of her head. She keeps threatening to cut it off, but I keep pleading with her not to. If she did one day cut it off, I'm sure we'd want to find some meaningful way to keep it for sentimental reasons. Probably not a sporran, though...

There is a charity out there (can't remember the name) that takes hair to make wigs for cancer patients. That would probably be the most generous thing to do with it.

Anyway, the only concern I'd have about a human hair sporran is that the hair would be a bit too fine for it. Horse hair is very thick and coarse, and will keep its shape fairly well. Human hair would probably look rather limp on a sporran and would be constantly blowing about and flailing in the wind, getting knotted and tangled, don't you think? Unless it were kept braided, of course.

[Joseph McLaren]

I like it~ Highlandwear lends itself to personal association (it's probably the reason many of us wear the kilt in the first place), and why should the hair of a loved one be a less palatable idea than hair which has spent it's days whisking flies away from a horse's bum?