To sporranize this or not?

[azwildcat96]

I shoot a lot of cottontail rabbits every year while bird hunting, and have looked into tanning the hides to have something made. A well known fur handling company that I contacted, told me that rabbit pelts are very thin and prone to both tearing and the fur coming out (sheding). I'm no expert, but would hate to spend the time only to have something that isn't very durable and ends up self-destructing. I guess since you already have the pelt, give it a try. If it doesn't work, I'm sure you can salvage the rest of the project and use a different fur to replace the rabbit one.

[MacMillans son]

I'm not sure Toby.

What comes up for me is the likelihood of having to explain to whoever asks that it's not cat, its rabbit fur trying to look like cat.

Per those in the know, I'm not sure of the value of practicing with a fur that is not something you would ever really use if you were going to make a nice fur sporran. What you learned by using the rabbit fur may not really apply to other furs that are better suited for sporrans. For me "since you have the fur you might as well use it" could result in throwing good time and money after bad.

Perhaps a novelty pelt with a story attached (ala Jackalope)

Just my thoughts

[MacLowlife]

Am I the only one who started one project only to have it lead me far away to another one? I was thinking of the likelihood / advisability of abandoning the rabbit pelt for maybe stenciled cow hide, so I searched eBay for other stenciled hides and pelts. For sheer low entry cost, Rabbit can't be touched. If you poke around, there are (hair on) cow hides and portions of cowhide to be had with various other patterns stenciled on them. You might be able to get a few square feet at a low price, but short of getting out your own airbrush or sharpie, I don't think it is possible to get a piece of cowhide that looks like anything else for under ten dollars.

Is there another low-cost substitute for wild cat fur? Are there other kinds of fur/hide/skin that are regularly dyed or altered to look more exotic? Do they ever stencil shearling sheepskin?

[norfair86]

If you like it, I say go for it! I've got a rabbit pelt dyed to look like an ocelot I've had for a few years that's been waiting for the right project.

[Mickey]

In my local antique mall a couple of days ago, I came across a large ladies purse in rabbit fur with this exact pattern and I am still considering going back to get it. I think it would make an excellent sporran. Yes, rabbit is cheap and difficult to work with, but having never actually handled a leopard pelt, I'm not sure I would know the difference if I were simply looking at a sporran. And I am not the kind of guy who requests to fondle another dude's sporran (no matter what language that's in).

Then again, I found a source for tanned frogskin, and am planning a sporran out of it. I like a different look.

[Whidbey78]

If you like the fur, forge on. I agree with the prior posts that rabbit is rabbit, and bunny just doesn't look like big cat no matter what you do with it. It is a pain to work with too. When I get around to it I have an old sporran that is begging to be covered with buffalo. I'm tempted to use white, grey or black rabbit but I love working with buffalo hide, with or without fur.

If you go for it take your time and walk away if it gets frustrating. It will come out well, but not if you aren't in the mood to work with it.

[Joshua]

I am on my 2nd rabbit fur sporran. My first was very, very simple - I just made a hunter sporran with a tacked (rivet) brown leather cantle

Pics in this thread of my original "The Mark I" Bugs Bunny Sporran
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...13/#post983542