Sporran Belt vs Chain

**Freelander Sporrano** · 21st March 09, 06:38 AM

I only wear a chain when using PC. Otherwise I use one of our hand made straps

**Barb T** · 21st March 09, 06:58 AM

Our band switched to all-leather sporran straps when we got our second set of kilts, because wearing sporran chains with our first set eventually wore holes in our old kilts. Now, mind you, our band kilts were worn _a lot_ over 10+ years of marching in parades, etc. But, over time, the chains did a lot of damage. Some of our band members have had their "new" kilts for nearly 20 years now, and there's no sign of wear from the leather sporran straps. The kilts are a bit faded, but....that's what we get for picking a red tartan, I guess.

**BEAS** · 21st March 09, 07:08 AM

I just picked up some leather, dye, glossing stuff, (make the leather look nice) and some buckles with associated hardware yesterday. I am no leather worker but I believe I can pull off making a simple belt and sporran strap. I am also going to try some of the small belt straps if there is enough leather left.
I believe I am under the $80 mark for all the items listed above. I figure I would have spent well over $130 for such items even from our fine sponsors.
As soon as i can finish I will attempt to post some pics.

BEAS

**Jack Daw** · 21st March 09, 07:50 AM

I wear either a matching leather sporran belt or a leather sporran hanger for casual. For semi-formal (black tie) ,I wear the chain with my metal-cantled fur sporran. That would be twice a year.

**Hamish** · 21st March 09, 09:28 AM

Well, there you are Brice. Everyone is pretty much in agreement over this query. A leather strap, preferably a straight-run one with no clips at he back of the sporran, for day wear and keep the chain for formal wear with a dress sporran (ie: one with a metal cantle). Strictly speaking, a day sporran will not have a metal cantle but, having said that, there are some very strange sporrans out there nowadays that fall into neither 'day' nor 'dress' classifications and, frankly, I do not care for them.

As one with well over 50 years experience of kilt wearing, I have always held the opinion that leather straps are for day wear and chain-straps are for formal wear. Unfortunately, however, many sporran retailers today automatically supply chain-straps with every sporran they sell, but many will let you have a plain leather strap as an alternative - if you ask for it.

Take care,
Ham.

**The Barry** · 21st March 09, 11:23 AM

So is wearing an all-leather strap a faux-pas when going formal?

I don't want to use a chain on my nicer kilts.

**Bart_In_A_Kilt** · 21st March 09, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by Ted Crocker

I have two dog collar chains linked together for a chromed cantle leather sporran which I'm not sure I will ever wear. The dog collar, chain links are welded and polished so they don't hurt the dog. These are supposed to be non-dammaging to a kilt.

I do, though, use leather belts as straps with the sporrans I wear. They work fine if you find one that fits through the tab of the sporran, and that is long enough.

Chrome can be a bit... too shiney.

I did prettu much the same. Started with a belt and cut it in two equal halves. Then tool one end of the Dog Choke Collar and looped the cut end of the belt through and rivited it. on the other end of the dog chain choke collar, I removed the large ring and attached a clasp to the last link.
Same operation for both sides. I use this arrangement with the Canteled sporran as well as the Full face sporran.

**bricelythgoe** · 21st March 09, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by Hamish

Well, there you are Brice. Everyone is pretty much in agreement over this query. A leather strap, preferably a straight-run one with no clips at he back of the sporran, for day wear and keep the chain for formal wear with a dress sporran (ie: one with a metal cantle). Strictly speaking, a day sporran will not have a metal cantle but, having said that, there are some very strange sporrans out there nowadays that fall into neither 'day' nor 'dress' classifications and, frankly, I do not care for them.

As one with well over 50 years experience of kilt wearing, I have always held the opinion that leather straps are for day wear and chain-straps are for formal wear. Unfortunately, however, many sporran retailers today automatically supply chain-straps with every sporran they sell, but many will let you have a plain leather strap as an alternative - if you ask for it.

Take care,
Ham.

Thanks Ham. I tend to agree with you. I think I am just going to get a long leather belt.

Brice