Tom Hays Sporran

**Rab Gordon** · 8th May 07, 05:05 AM

Some of you may remember that my sporran was stolen from my baggage on my way back from Boston. Fortunately this gave me a chance to look for a new and better sporran and when I saw some of Tom's work I contacted him with a design and an offer of a Sgian Dubh as payment

Here's a photo of the sporran he made for me and I really don't think that I could have got a nicer one.
The wolf is a design that I recontructed from a broken Pictish stone sitting in Inverness museum.

Rab

**LordKiltClad** · 8th May 07, 05:42 AM

Looks fabulous Rab, awesome work by A_Hay
And Lucky recipient of one of your sgians

Someday I shall have both as well...

**Dirk Skene** · 8th May 07, 05:46 AM

Verrry nice

I like the Pict design. Now, educate the ignorant. Who is Tom Hayes?

**cavscout** · 8th May 07, 05:51 AM

What Tom is offering is an amazing deal. That's a great looking carving.

Tom Hayes is a forum member (A-Hay!)

**Dirk Skene** · 8th May 07, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by cavscout

......Tom Hayes is a forum member (A-Hay!)

O! OK! I know him

**cacunn** · 8th May 07, 05:49 AM

Nice design and I like the variations in the stain on the front.

**thescot** · 8th May 07, 05:53 AM

Very nice.

**Tattoo Bradley** · 8th May 07, 07:02 AM

Man. I think this one just swayed me to add one of Tom's sporrans to my "must have" list. I LOVE that grained leather. What's that called (Tom?) The hardest part for me is going to be deciding what the heck I want carved on the lid.

**mang1974** · 8th May 07, 07:17 AM

Originally Posted by Tattoobradley

Man. I think this one just swayed me to add one of Tom's sporrans to my "must have" list. I LOVE that grained leather. What's that called (Tom?) The hardest part for me is going to be deciding what the heck I want carved on the lid.

My thoughts exactly!

**A Hay** · 8th May 07, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by Tattoobradley

I LOVE that grained leather. What's that called (Tom?)

Bradley,

I carve the design into a vegetable tanned leather and then use a Tandy Medium Brown Antique Stain which I wipe on, let dry for about 4 to 5 minutes, then wipe off with a damp sponge. The wiping creates the antiqued grained look. For black, I use Fiebling's black oil based dye.
For finish I use Tandy Super Sheen, 3 to 4 coats. It brings out the color nicely. Staining is the trickiest part. Each new leather hide takes stain a bit differently.

I've done several Welsh Dragons, Scottish Rampant Lions, and Irish Harps.
If anyone has an idea for a new design, send me a PM. I have materials for about two more then I'm going to take a break for the summer from 1 June to 1 Sept. I could also make a belt pouch or even a simple purse to most any reasonable size you want. I'd also be interested in trades with any other DYI's.

Thanks to all who have offered kind words and encouragement.

Tom