Freelander Sporran Review

**Panache** · 27th July 06, 04:59 PM

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!

**Big Dave** · 27th July 06, 05:09 PM

The sporran is gorgeous! That's the one I've been looking at.

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 27th July 06, 07:39 PM

Jamie, good review! I really want one, and almost bought the one that was shown on a thread recently, but it was mainly brown, and I really like my current casual brown sporran, so wanted one that was different. This is a really nice looking one. I also like the green belt buckle. Where did you get that?

And your pics seems to have some attitude, kind of like "Go ahead, touch my sporran, I dare you!".

**cloves** · 27th July 06, 09:21 PM

are freelanders totally custom? Or do you choose one that is already in stock?
BTW it looks awesome on you Panache!

**Panache** · 27th July 06, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by KiltedCodeWarrior

... like the green belt buckle. Where did you get that?

And your pics seems to have some attitude, kind of like "Go ahead, touch my sporran, I dare you!".

...the green belt buckle is courtsey of Michael Steinrok. A very good fellow.
When we first met at one of our kilt nights he looked at me and said "nice outfit, what's with the western belt?". The next time I saw him he gave me the Thistle buckle and told me where to go to get a belt at the Campbell Highland Games the next day. The next day Michael found me at Kerrs Imports and helped me set up my first real kilt belt. (I think he bought the buckle from them a few years earlier).

...As for the attitude in the picture it's less attitude and more like heat stroke

Cheers

**Panache** · 27th July 06, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by cloves

are freelanders totally custom? Or do you choose one that is already in stock?
BTW it looks awesome on you Panache!

Cloves,

Thanks for the compliment. I would send a pm to David and ask him if there was something in particular you were interested in.

Cheers

**Freelander Sporrano** · 28th July 06, 12:36 AM

It's always nice to know that our sporrans reach their destination.Thanks for the review I hope I can use it on a new website Sten and I are working on. Wear it well. Oh yes watch your back don't overload it :rolleyes:

Cloves: Send me an e-mail or PM

A bit of news is that Sten Rune and I are working on a dot-com solution to my personal website...My personal site allows no commercial trade. Hence no prices so freelandersporrans.com will be up and running in a short while