Sporran chain vs. Sporran leather strap

[Rob]

I've had a similar reaction. I was in Geoffrey (tailor) in Edinburgh recently and brought up the subject. Staff dismissed the problem as a myth.

Having said that, I'm inclined to trust Hamish's view and now alternate between a strap and a chain according to function. No problem with either as it happens, though I prefer the chain.

Al

Al,

Remember that most men who buy a kilt and sporran will only wear it a couple of times a year, so the wear on the kilt due to the chain will be negligible. People like Ham, who wear kilts every day, are much more likely to suffer wear.

Rob

[BenTheScott]

Al,

Remember that most men who buy a kilt and sporran will only wear it a couple of times a year, so the wear on the kilt due to the chain will be negligible. People like Ham, who wear kilts every day, are much more likely to suffer wear.

Rob

A couple of times a year? Where do you put your wallet? Car keys? There are no pockets in my kilt (that I have yet found). Or are you refering to people who will wear the kilt a couple of times a year? ....

[Rob]

Or are you refering to people who will wear the kilt a couple of times a year? ....

Yes Ben. Sadly this seems to be common practice in Scotland. Most kilt makers say that kilt sales are booming, yet fewer kilts are seen to be worn out in the streets or in the countryside. Therefore these kilts must spend most of their lives in wardrobes, so sporran chains don't cause damage to the extent that they would if the kilts were worn frequently.

Rob

[Blu (Ontario)]

I simply avoided the hunt and made a sporran strap. A strip of leather, a couple rivets and a couple trigger type clips. Took all of a few minutes.

Bubba, did you make your strap adjustable with a metal buckle? BTW, Contact cement will work very well on leather as an alternate to rivets.

[Blu (Ontario)]

Remember that most men who buy a kilt and sporran will only wear it a couple of times a year, so the wear on the kilt due to the chain will be negligible. People like Ham, who wear kilts every day, are much more likely to suffer wear.

I have only chains for my sporrans. I've checked them both for rough edges and couldn't find any. But because I find sporrans a bit of a nuisance, I only wear them occasionally so the risk of damage is minimal. I'm sporranless 95% of the time. I have a fanny pack which works better for casual if needed. Thanx to Graham for the idea.

[berserkbishop]

I have only chains for my sporrans. I've checked them both for rough edges and couldn't find any. But because I find sporrans a bit of a nuisance, I only wear them occasionally so the risk of damage is minimal. I'm sporranless 95% of the time. I have a fanny pack which works better for casual if needed. Thanx to Graham for the idea.

In my experience doing much amateur leather work, I would NEVER use contact cement in place of a rivet. It simply wont due. All of my pieces are riveted and handsewn. If you are interested in a good quality sporran strap talk to our very own cavscout. He does great leatherwork. I could also make you a strap if you so desired.

BB

[bubba]

Blu, yup, I made it adjustable with a metal buckle. As for contact cement, rivets handle more stress and aren't difficult to use. Two pieces you whack with a hammer and no setting time.The clips I got at a hardware store and the rivets at Hobby Lobby. I suppose I should put a pic of it in my gallery. It was really easy to make.

[bubba]

Blu, I put a pic of the strap in my gallery. Didn't come out very well because of lousy lighting.

[al' Sporrano]

I've had a similar reaction. I was in Geoffrey (tailor) in Edinburgh recently and brought up the subject. Staff dismissed the problem as a myth.

Having said that, I'm inclined to trust Hamish's view and now alternate between a strap and a chain according to function. No problem with either as it happens, though I prefer the chain.

Al

Al,

Remember that most men who buy a kilt and sporran will only wear it a couple of times a year, so the wear on the kilt due to the chain will be negligible. People like Ham, who wear kilts every day, are much more likely to suffer wear.

Rob

The guy I spoke to was a regular kilt wearer. He'd had no problems with the chain himself.

Al

[bubba]

I imagine the quality of the chain really makes the difference. If it's properly welded and smoothed links with good plating it shouldn't be much of a problem. If it's a cheap one chances are there'll be rough spots to snag the fabric.