Full mask sporran: Yea or Nay?

**Detroitpete** · 28th July 10, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

As many of you know I am a hunting(UK definition with horses and hounds) shooting and fishing man and have been for all my long life, so dead things are part of my life and still are. For some reason, that I cannot explain, I have gone off fur and hair sporrans. So much so that I have given my sons all my fur/hair sporrans that disturb me so. I don't mind them wearing them and I don't mind others wearing fur sporrans and I have absolutely no problem with leather. Each to their own and I fully respect that , but somehow I think it may be time to move away from this Victorian idea of fur/hair sporrans.

Ditto!

**Colin MacBean** · 28th July 10, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

As many of you know I am a hunting(UK definition with horses and hounds) shooting and fishing man and have been for all my long life, so dead things are part of my life and still are. For some reason, that I cannot explain, I have gone off fur and hair sporrans. So much so that I have given my sons all my fur/hair sporrans that disturb me so. I don't mind them wearing them and I don't mind others wearing fur sporrans and I have absolutely no problem with leather. Each to their own and I fully respect that , but somehow I think it may be time to move away from this Victorian idea of fur/hair sporrans.

1+ I agree.

**Bugbear** · 28th July 10, 11:46 AM

post deleted.

**ForresterModern** · 28th July 10, 12:26 PM

I have two full mask fox sporrans, an arctic fox closed mouth no paws no cantle and a red fox closed mouth no paws with silver cantle, both with good taxidermied eyes and relatively low profile heads, although still very realistic. I reserve them for dress occasions, which unfortunately I have rare opportunities to attend right now. I also have a primitive brown-dyed no taxidermy fox mask on a brown leather sporran which also looks great for casual wear, which seems to most who see it less offensive although still recognizable as an animal mask skin, but far from life-like.

I would love to have a badger or bobcat full mask with mouth closed, with or without claws or other adornments, but alas those are at the high end of the cost spectrum, and hard to come by.

I agree with the comments about overdoing the taxidermy to the point that it looks like you have brought your pet (insert appropriate animal type here) with you and set it on your lap, but do like the relatively flat heads and realistic eyes.

jeff

**CDNSushi** · 28th July 10, 05:17 PM

Each to their own. If you like them, go for it. I voted in the poll and as of now you have about 2/3 of the respondees saying "yay" and 1/3 saying "nay." I'm afraid I'm in the "nay" category.

I share Jock's sentiments almost entirely... Like him, I have no problems with hunting, fur in general, or what have you, but I do find full-mask sporrans rather distasteful. While I would not begrudge anyone to wear one, as they can indeed look traditional and handsome, but they are not my thing... to the point that even if I received one as a gift, I would not wear it -- I would re-gift it to someone who'd appreciate it.

**Tobus** · 28th July 10, 05:34 PM

And as to the traditions of the full mask, I fully understand them and respect them, and would never tell someone that they can't or shouldn't wear one. It's just really not for me! I look at those things and see my little kitty Barbosa!

One has to wonder if anyone has ever done a housecat full mask sporran. It would be poor taste to be sure, but probably good for a few laughs in the right setting!

In our house growing up, anything less than 300 years old was just a passing fad, yet to prove itself!

Then you only wear great kilts, right? I mean, the philabeg or modern kilt is less than 300 years old, so it must just be a fad...

**DrumMayer** · 29th July 10, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Then you only wear great kilts, right? I mean, the philabeg or modern kilt is less than 300 years old, so it must just be a fad...

Correct, sir! I have no truck with these so-called "modern" conveniences, such as flush toilets, air conditioning, vaccinations and electricity. None have a proven track record as yet...And of course, you will never catch me using one of those new-fangled computer things!

In all seriousness though, the definition and balance of "traditional" was always an issue growing up, and I'm sure remains an issue even though I've lived in the US a very long time now. So far as modern Highland dress goes, let's be honest and note that pretty much all the conventions we insist on today as "traditional" are at best a couple of hundred years old, rooted often in Victorian-era notions. And shall we take a hard look at clan tartans as well? New traditions rise all the time.

**Kornkob** · 29th July 10, 10:32 AM

A shoddily made full mask looks worse than an equally shoddily made fur sporran by a long shot. Someone who has no experience with sporrans can immediately spot the badly made full mask. However, the same person would have to much more closely inspect the cheap fur sporran to notice the poor quality.

Originally Posted by DrumMayer

So far as modern Highland dress goes, let's be honest and note that pretty much all the conventions we insist on today as "traditional" are at best a couple of hundred years old, rooted often in Victorian-era notions. And shall we take a hard look at clan tartans as well? New traditions rise all the time.

Often the same applies to a number of traditions of dress-- and behavior for that matter--- and language now that I think on it.

**wildrover** · 29th July 10, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by Kornkob

A shoddily made full mask looks worse than an equally shoddily made fur sporran by a long shot. Someone who has no experience with sporrans can immediately spot the badly made full mask. However, the same person would have to much more closely inspect the cheap fur sporran to notice the poor quality.

I agree completely...a full mask is either a beautiful piece of art, or...well, I think it looks bad. Maybe it's because when I think "kilt" I have a mental picture of a fairly refined garment, and an empty sack of fur doesn't really go with it.

I can imagine it working out with reenactor garb or something, though.

Often the same applies to a number of traditions of dress-- and behavior for that matter--- and language now that I think on it.

"Word."

Kate Macpherson's roe deer full mask is pretty interesting. She makes some really nice pieces...one of very, very few sporran makers that I think does a good job with the partial tax, eyes-open look. If only I had the $. Or...ok, I don't have a "pounds" symbol on my keyboard

...

Know what I want?

A full mask goat sporran.

With horns.

-Sean

**BLHS209** · 29th July 10, 05:40 AM

I am biased, I do like them (disclosure - I own one), if the mask works with the tartan colors then that is fine, but, wearing a skunk with Buchanan, it just doesn't work.

I believe someone posted this like in a previous thread awhile ago:
http://www.katemacphersonsporrans.co.uk/index.html

Although I would not be interested in many of these (not only the cost), they just would not work with the tartan I wear.

Chris