KEEPING IT SHARP | SPORRAN CRAFTING STUDIO CHRONICLE 008

KEEPING IT SHARP  

At the end of the day. Prepare for tomorrow.

Discipline.

Before leaving the studio

          Clear the work bench

          Examine the day’s work

          Write up the job sheet

Pause.

Must sharpen tools.

Grab that stropping board.

-A plywood offcut with scrap vege-tan hide glued down rough side-up

Half a dozen strokes with jeweller’s rouge. -Enough there to last a lifetime's sporran crafting.

Take the Japanese skiving knife.

Thumb the edge.

Hold firm and draw it back.

-Six times.

Turn over, lay the back flat and slide to remove the burr.

Twice.

Pause.

Thumb the edge again.

…Carefully.

Hold firm and draw it back.

Twice, and twice again.

Done.

Repeat with the bevelling tools.

Lay out my materials for the next day’s sporran work.

I’m looking forward to whatever tomorrow will bring.

This is only one small part of the journey that goes into making a bespoke sporran by hand.   To see where that journey leads, explore our Day Sporrans, Special Sporrans, Hunting Sporrans and Dress Sporrans collections.