Horn Comb Handmade for Fine, Tangle-prone Hair, 'Nit' or Flea Comb

Historically accurate 'nit' combs. Great for detangling the hair and removing clothing fibers

£15.00

A fine toothed, ‘nit comb’. Made from the horn of female cows, fine toothed combs such as these have been found on post-Roman archaeological sites.  No doubt have their worldwide analogues. Archaeologists nearly always describe these forms as ‘nit’ or flea combs. However using one myself, on my long hair, I have found that these combs are excellent for catching the clothing fibers and fluff around which tangles form and helping to locate tangles.

Use of a ‘nit’ comb removes one of the causes of tangling and to help prevent some of the tangles and knots from reforming so quickly. This comb form having such been so popular through the Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Periods must also have helped in the battle against nits and other parasites – small insects are caught in the tines and eggs stick to the tines. In really these combs are all-purpose combs for people with quite fine hair, both men, women and children would have used them. Sizes vary between 8-10 cm wide and 6-9cm high.

Horn combs, while lasting for many years, retain a ‘primal’ and invigorating quality on each occasion of use. Each comb is totally individual and made entirely by hand. The carver’s technique, ‘groove and splinter work’ for making horn combs developed in the Upper Palaeolithic, beginning some 18,000 years ago and so we may suppose that horn combs have been appreciated by generations of humans – and since we have domesticated animals from about 7000 years ago – many cats, dogs, cows, horses etc!

One of the urgent missions of Natural Spa Supplies is to support a master comb maker who uses hand processes all the way through. On this page you can see a photograph of him holding the cow horn in the fire to soften it so he can form it into a plate. After the plate had cooled, the comb maker will saw each tine out by hand. Most European horn workers, don’t take this risk, instead softening the horn in hot water!

This maker is ‘living heritage’ and one of the last of two makers using ancient techniques, working entirely without machines. As it stands at the moment, the comb maker (Master S.) is 81 years old and does not have enough demand to employ an apprentice. His knowledge, drawn deep from human history, is set to vanish. We have met his former apprentice who is willing to return if we can increase the demand.

It is widely believed that horn combs impart strength and accelerate the growth of hair and there is no doubt a horn comb leaves the scalp tingling with pleasure through the stimulation of micro-circulation. Given that horn is composed of about 17% sulfur, linked inextricably to healthy hair growth, it is no wonder that horn combs have been valued for so many thousand years and that they appear as frequently as attributes of beautiful mythical beings such as long haired goddesses, nymphs and mermaids.

How do you use a horn comb?

Ideal for combing hair everyday. Start by combing the hair at the ends, using the comb to locate knots and the fingers to untangle the knots. Gradually work up the shaft of the hair, going around the head. When the hair is tangle free, use long strokes from the scalp to the end of the hair. Then take the comb against the scalp for the massage to improve the scalp circulation.

* Improves scalp circulation supporting healthy hair growth.
* Gentle to hair – horn is composed as the same substance as hair – keratin, and will not damage the shaft of the hair.
* Horn combs pull out that fewer hairs while combing than a plastic comb.
* Perfect for detangling slightly damp hair after washing.
* Helps to transport protective oils from the scalp along the shaft of the hair.
* Does not induce static build up (unlike plastic).
* Fantastic for relieving stress. Animals groom themselves to relieve psychological stress and after escaping from physical danger. Gently comb the entire scalp several times a day, or briefly throughout the day.

How to care for your horn comb

* A horn comb should be for life!
* Do not immerse the comb in water
* To clean, brush with a dry nail brush at least once a week
* Do not allow contact with solvents, chemicals or hair dyes
* If the comb becomes wet through use, dry it afterwards
* To restore the polished look to your comb, rub vigorously with dry wood ashes using a chamois leather
* If the comb bends, heat the comb under hot water, dry and place under a weight until it has straightened
* Store away from heat, humidity and direct sunlight
* Protect from dogs and other animals – even herbivores will eat horn!
* When transporting the comb, protect the tines from damage
* To protect the tines of the comb and your hair do not force the comb down the length of the hair nor drag the comb through knots. Use the comb to locate the knots and then untangle the knots gently with the fingers working from underneath the knot until the hair is free. Then comb through the free hair. Take your time!

If a tine does break, it is not the end of the world – many which are found in archaeological context may have already been a bit broken before they were lost or deposited. If you can file the tine back to make it smooth, then just carry on using the comb. These nit combs are very sturdy and I haven’t managed to break a tine yet!

Each comb is unique. They vary in size, contour, figuring, colouring (black, brown, amber, cinnamon, yellow, white, some even with greenish or blueish tones). Sizes given are average sizes.

The Ethics of using Horn Combs

* Made of cow horn, nature’s own ‘plastic’  prized for it strength, durability, and ability to take on different forms. Cow horn is only taken from domestic bull and cows after the end of their life.
* A Horn Comb will after a long use-life eventually biodegrade (apart from the archaeological combs found in ‘special preservation conditions’ referred to above!)
* Currently in the Morocco, just two craftsmen are known to make bone combs entirely by hand.  These combs have a sense of vitality and personality entirely absent in machine cut combs. One of the aims of this company is to assure that these craftsmen pass on their knowledge to the next generation by taking on apprentices, so allowing the ancient tradition to continue into the future.
* Combing is a natural process beneficial to health and mood.
* At the moment I estimate that in increase of 300 combs per month will enable the elderly comb maker to take on an apprentice and so this is the target I would like to achieve to help assure continuity of this tradition. This is going to be quite a big and serious project. If you can think of any way to help this project achieve success please do get in touch!
*I intend to source combs of other materials suitable for vegans.

To Buy a Comb
If you would like a comb, just place the item in your basket. You are also welcome to call and place your order over the telephone on 00 44 (0) 1603 474516.

N.B. Collectors, museums and horn comb enthusiasts: Images of both sides of the comb can be provided on request. Rare, animal forms are also available. Please either e-mail or telephone.

Tip
Try using a horn comb on your pets – they absolutely love these combs. Keep the comb out of the pet’s reach after use.