Freelander Sporran Review

[Panache]

I have looked at David’s (Freelander Sporrano) sporrans since I started looking at X Marks in January of this year. They looked beautiful and Hamish, Riverkilt, and others sported them in their galleries. I looked at David’s website http://home.c2i.net/kilted_1/public_html/main.html on several occasions to take a gander at the Freelander Sporrans that he and Sten (Sten Sporrano) make. The sporran I made for my son was based on the design of the Freelanders. But I never thought about trying to buy one for two reasons:

(1) With all the different color combinations, I could never decide on one particular model

(2) There was no mention of price on the site. I believe that if you have to ask how much something is, odds are you can’t afford it.

Well about a month ago David posted a thread about all his and Sten’s latest creations:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=18675

I was absolutely taken by a two tone brown and black model and with encouraging from Iolaus ( who also showed me his black beauty at the Campbell highland Games) wrote David inquiring about getting a Freelander. I was very surprised when he quoted me $95 including shipping to US from ! Considering how much shipping is, these must be a labor of love for these two gents. I couldn’t afford it then, but told David that I would hopefully contact him in July . A few E Bay sales later I was pleased to order my Freelander sporran.

About the Sporran.

The leather is thick and very supple (not quite as thick as a Buzz Kidder, but softer). The buttons are all hand made from deer horn. There are two pieces of stiff un-dyed leather that reinforce the back/flap and the front piece giving shape to the soft leather. The stitching is neat and even. There are two sets of drawstrings. The first cinch the top of the sporran closed. The second set loop around the flap button to secure the flap down. With the top drawstrings loose I can put both hands inside the sporran.

Here is what it looks like on.




Here’s what I had inside: pen knife, cell phone, billfold, keys, flask (and no I don’t normally carry one, though when I do it tends to have brandy in it), comb, and yoyo.



The closest sporran I can compare it to is the Buzz Kidder Inverness model. Both have a drawstring close and are good bets for someone looking for a large sporran. Personally I think the Freelander is a more handsome design.

I am very pleased with David and Sten’s work. The sporran has this wonderful quality that only something handmade can have. I love that each Freelander is unique. David is a gentleman and pleasure to deal with. $95 for a sporran is a bit of money for me, but my Freelander is of such sturdy construction and handsome design it is an excellent value. I would highly recommend a Freelander for anyone looking for a well made handcrafted day sporran.

One final note. The horn buttons click together as you walk, which I don’t mind at all (but then I also like the drumming of the tassels on my other traditional sporran). If that isn’t your thing they have a “sabre tooth” variant.

Thank you David and Sten!