Hey Kilted ones in Arizona

[MuffinMan]

Most of you guys know I am newly kilted and looking for a reasonibly priced sporran. With the Scottish games this weekend, what vendors should I hit when I get there?
MM

[sharpdressedscot]

Hmm, I recommend StillWaters (which is online), but I'm sure there are some other ones

[Arizona Scot]

I am not sure which vendors will be at the highland games, but for the price and service you can't beat stillwater kilts sporran. I have one in black and brown and for a day wear sporran they are excellent.

[mbhandy]

Why limit your self?
Try them all and negotiate.

MrBill

[James MacMillan]

Every games has different vendors. My advice, do a quick tour of all of them really fast, then go back and look at the ones that you saw something interesting at. Finally make a final loop and spend time at each booth. Some will have stuff that they don't display.

Also make sure you know in your mind just what you are looking for. If you buy something just for price, a year from now, it will be just sitting somewhere not being used.

[Ayin McFye]

I have no clue which Merchants will be out for this Saturday's event, but I would just take a tour of the merchant shops once you get out there. There's nothing like not having to wait for shipping to take place. You see something you like, you buy, it's yours.

Last year I didn't do a lot of shopping unfortunately due to financial constraints but I'm sure there will be plenty of good merchandise this year for us.

See you Saturday! (P.S. pack your flasks)

Slainte!

[MuffinMan]

Thanks guys, one more question do you like traditional sporran belts and chains or the new sporran hangers?
mm

[Moosedog]

Depends on your shape, size and use:

Hangers alow the sporran to hang more freely--sometimes a bonus if you have an ample stomach which can cause the fabric to bunch up underneath a sporran belt.

A belt allows one to slide the sporran to the side quickly for various tasks (driving, running, etc.) Some hangers snap on and allow for fairly quick adjustment to the side.

If you can take a thin belt and hang a bag--anything approximating a sporran--on you for a while at sporran height, you should be able to tell rather quickly which camp you might fall into. Also the clips on some sporran hangers are not substantial enough in my view--they can barely clip around the rings on my sporrans. Some of them have long chains which cause the sporran to hang too low on some folks. So be sure and check this.

I have both and generally prefer a plain strap (no chains, please!) for most uses.

Moosedog

[Riverkilt]

Hate chains - never never. Tried hanging dealies, not for the belly gifted, do like and use leather sporran straps....and best of all, a vest or jacket in lieu of a sporran.

These folks http://www.nativearth.net/bagpage.html were out at the Ren Faire last year. For some reason they've not updated their 2008 schedule. I've two of their large pouch/sporrans and love them.

And as has been said, nothing beats the games for being able to eyeball the merchandise, pay for it and take it with you. What jones???

And it feels great to strole among the assembled kilties and see all manner of kilt from the finest hand sewn to the "best bargains" from overseas. Helps make future kilt buying decisions.

Not to put them down, just seeing my first Leatherneck tartan SportKilt convinced me to ante up for a hand sewn Leatherneck. I wanted the more subtle colors of the wool, not the bright colors of the polyesther. Just me. Seeing each helped me decide.

Go, enjoy, wander, look, and listen to the pipes...good for the blood.

Ron

[Keys MacQuarrie]

As a former "Leatherneck" myself, I've looked long and hard at that tartan, myself. Also the Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial Tartan. And the...well, you get the idea. Guess I need to win the lottery...