Kilt Damage From Cheap Sporran Clip

[artificer]

Thanks for the warning about the edges though - that's important too!

You're welcome.
Belts not made for the purpose frequently have square edges on the back (inside). I find this to be especially true with very inexpensive (plastic-y) ones

Here's a recent thread highlighting the problem.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...my-kilt-62286/

ith:

[MacBean]

Here's a recent thread highlighting the problem.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...my-kilt-62286/

and here's the esential solution for belts from cavscout:

Assuming your belt edges are essentially squared off, you wold first want to bevel the edge. Tandy sells edge bevelers of various sizes. This begins the rounding process by slicing off the sharp corner edge. We're not talking a drastic rounding. This is a very subtle radius, just enough to blunt the edge. The beveler will only take off a thin sliver of leather.

If the belt edges are not dyed to match the belt, you may want to dye the edges.

Then Burnish the edges which is a fancy way of saying rub them smooth. There are many ways to do this but essentially you want it to be a smooth rounded edge when your done. Essentially all your doing is getting the short edge fibers to lay down smooth. Using bees wax or other edge treatments will help and somewhat seal the edge but some will just use hot water and elbow grease. A piece of burlap or denim is often used to do the rubbing. You'll spend a lot of time and effort on this phase and this step is why the price of a none-edge treated belt and an edge treated belt are so different.

Once the edge is round and smooth, you can coat the edge with one of several edge seals or coats.

[artificer]

and here's the esential solution for belts from cavscout:

Assuming your belt edges are essentially squared off, you wold first want to bevel the edge. Tandy sells edge bevelers of various sizes. This begins the rounding process by slicing off the sharp corner edge. We're not talking a drastic rounding. This is a very subtle radius, just enough to blunt the edge. The beveler will only take off a thin sliver of leather.

If the belt edges are not dyed to match the belt, you may want to dye the edges.

Then Burnish the edges which is a fancy way of saying rub them smooth. There are many ways to do this but essentially you want it to be a smooth rounded edge when your done. Essentially all your doing is getting the short edge fibers to lay down smooth. Using bees wax or other edge treatments will help and somewhat seal the edge but some will just use hot water and elbow grease. A piece of burlap or denim is often used to do the rubbing. You'll spend a lot of time and effort on this phase and this step is why the price of a none-edge treated belt and an edge treated belt are so different.

Once the edge is round and smooth, you can coat the edge with one of several edge seals or coats.

It should be noted that this only works on "Real" leather. Stuff with a plasticized finish or that's made from leatherboard will NOT survive this process.

[CopperNGold]

Buying quality items will make a difference in the long run. It make take longer for you to buy a good leather sporran strap, but it will last forever with good care and maintenance.

Buying quality items does not necessarily mean that the item will not cause damage to your kilt. Even high end retailers like Gucci, LV, or Ferragamo have flaws. I've bought shoes and handbags from both retailers with flaws that have caused problems. Leather edges that have scraped my ankle, or a handbag clasp that has rough edges that catch on a scarf or coat. However, especially with Ferragamo, which puts out a much better product in my opinion, with good polishing, regular repairs, etc., those shoes and handbags will outlast me!

Why not try wearing your new straps or chains over an old woolen shirt for a few days while around the house? That way, you can look for any rough edges and find any flaws in the leather finish or metal clasps before you try them with your kilts and make any necessary repairs. Also, a good quality house like those listed above will do the repairs for you.

[Tobus]

I hate to think what would have happened if this would have been a day long hike.

Why on Earth would you do a day long hike using a sporran chain?

[MacMillans son]

I prefer a leather strap with swivels and trigger claps on the ends. It allows for rotational movement of the sporran without any binding while bending, sitting, getting in and out of a car etc, and is fastened in the front so no need to spin the sporran around and adjust for center each time I put it on. Just personal preference I guess.

I find it the best of both worlds.

[Dale Seago]

I prefer a leather strap with swivels and trigger claps on the ends. It allows for rotational movement of the sporran without any binding while bending, sitting, getting in and out of a car etc, and is fastened in the front so no need to spin the sporran around and adjust for center each time I put it on. Just personal preference I guess.

I find it the best of both worlds.

Oconee makes sporran straps of that type, with beveled/burnished leather edges:

http://oconeeleatherworks.com/SporranStraps.htm

Mojo Leather has 'em with non-swiveling clips, or a basic "belt" type sporran strap. Again, both have beveled/burnished edges:

http://www.mojoleather.com

[Dale Seago]

Oconee makes sporran straps of that type, with beveled/burnished leather edges:

http://oconeeleatherworks.com/SporranStraps.htm

Mojo Leather has 'em with non-swiveling clips, or a basic "belt" type sporran strap. Again, both have beveled/burnished edges:

http://www.mojoleather.com

I just ordered one of the abovementioned "basic" sporran belts from Mojo Leather in dark brown, mainly for air travel purposes.

???, you may ask.

Whatever sporran I wear on a plane will almost certainly be my dark brown Ferguson Britt "Glen Shira Mor" or my brown Stillwater leather cargo sporran. Other sporrans I might wear at a destination are also F-Bs: Either my black Duin Uasal or my Glengyle Fur (black cantle & tassels w/natural beaver fur). The F-Bs come with a unique sporran strap I really love -- but that strap is not so well suited for quickly & easily getting the sporran off & on again when going through TSA security screening.

Actually, I just thought of a similar screening thing likely to come up more quickly than a plane flight somewhere. I just received a summons to jury duty with a report date of June 14. If I do get selected, I expect I'll be the only kilted juror. . .

[seanachie]

I prefer a leather strap with swivels and trigger claps on the ends. It allows for rotational movement of the sporran without any binding while bending, sitting, getting in and out of a car etc, and is fastened in the front so no need to spin the sporran around and adjust for center each time I put it on. Just personal preference I guess.

I find it the best of both worlds.

I heartily agree with these comments, the trigger snaps work very well and while it may seem small the rotational movement issue is a big plus. I believe that this is one of those areas where the old saying "you can pay me now or pay me later" applies. I payed more for a nice sporran belt but with things like trigger snaps and the beveled edges Dale mentions I know it is quality, won't cause damage and will last a long time.

[Mickey]

Why on Earth would you do a day long hike using a sporran chain?

I wouldn't, but all of my leather sporran hangers also have clips, which is what caused the damage in the first place.