Classifying Sporran Critters

[Nanook]

How can one distinguish between
- Harp Seal (Phoca groenlandica) [mainly from Canada and Greenland]
- Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus) [mainly, I think, Scottish]
(both not allowed to cross into United States territorial space)
and some more common otters such
- European Otter

All of them, I think, have quite directional hairs, are dense and greasy. Hair length? I don't know.. Any ideas?

[IEScotsman]

Why use a seal or otter at all? Rabbit is very nice. Or next time a neighbor upsets you, use them!

[Nanook]

Why use a seal or otter at all?

Aside from that they have nice robust and waterproof fur... Its tradition. Seals, otters, badgers are the critters whose furs got to...

Rabbit is very nice.

Rabbit is neither robust nor terribly dense or waterproof. A rabbit hair sporran would not last long and its not terribly regarded as something luxurious (like mink, chinchilla or sable fur) but tacky. I know of no traditional maker that would bother. Rabbit is popular (for obvious reasons), alongside cats and dogs, throughout Asia for cheap "fur" products and ALL of the rabbit fur sporrans you see are made alongside footballs...

[IEScotsman]

Aside from that they have nice robust and waterproof fur... Its tradition. Seals, otters, badgers are the critters whose furs got to...


Rabbit is neither robust nor terribly dense or waterproof. A rabbit hair sporran would not last long and its not terribly regarded as something luxurious (like mink, chinchilla or sable fur) but tacky. I know of no traditional maker that would bother. Rabbit is popular (for obvious reasons), alongside cats and dogs, throughout Asia for cheap "fur" products and ALL of the rabbit fur sporrans you see are made alongside footballs...

I respectfully disagree with you. There are many sporran owners who like their rabbit fur sporrans (I'm one of them) and don't regard them as "tacky". And many of those sporrans were made by traditional makers. Also, there are XMark supporting retailers like the Scottish Tartan Museum and Sport Kilt that sell these sporrans and the word "tacky" isn't in their product descriptions.

[mbhandy]

the Scottish Tartan Museum and Sport Kilt that sell these sporrans and the word "tacky" isn't in their product descriptions.

Hear Hear.

MrBill

[SnakeEyes]

I've found that rabbit fur 'sheds' pretty bad, but that could just be an issue with the tanner I get my products from, not all rabbit fur. I've never worn a rabbit fur sporran, but I probably would.

[Nanook]

I respectfully disagree with you. There are many sporran owners who like their rabbit fur sporrans (I'm one of them) and don't regard them as "tacky".

You may not regard your sporran as "tacky" but the market perception of rabbit as a fur is hardly one of luxury. Its abundant supply and cheap price alone disqualify it for status . On the practical side (and why its not heavily regarded): they demand a lot of care, careful storage and have a tendency to shed. Rabbit has less of a market stigma in the United States than other fur animals given its presentation as a by-product of meat production--- the other extreme is "raccoon dog" (Nyctereutes procyonoides), considered in Asia as a kind of badger while the American media cowers at the name "dog".

All of this does not matter. Its not a traditional fur for sporrans and what's made in Scotland is almost uniquely aimed at the U.S. market as an alternative fur given the prohibition of marine mammal furs.

The question again is: How can one distinguish (beyond doing a laboratory analysis) the various seals and otter varieties. I've not found any good references. They have all been popular in sporrans for well over a century.

[kiltedcougar]

and to answer your origional question, i don't think anyone here knows how to classify marine fur based on appearance. sorry.

[kiltedcougar]

Rabbit is neither robust nor terribly dense or waterproof.

I can understand durability, but is water resistance really an issue?

[Chef]

I can understand durability, but is water resistance really an issue?

It's a good thing if you ever spill anything on it. Also if you are going to wear a fur sporran it is less lilely to be damaged during bad weather.

The grey seal one I have has held up wonderfully over the years, just don't tell customs that I bring it back and forth regularly.