Horn Combs Handmade from Bull Horn

For professional combing of the hair and scalp massage

£20.00

Large Geometric Bull Horn Comb. These large combs are rare, because they are made from an entire bull horn – only available from mature breeding bulls. Due to their deep cut tines and deep back, these combs are ideal for thick, long or curly hair and due to their long tines an intense scalp massage. Average sizes 8-9cm wide and 10cm 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!

You can see the photograph which show the new blank created by the comb maker. The flattened horn is now ready for sawing into a bull’s horn comb.

One of the urgent missions of Natural Spa Supplies is to support a master comb maker who uses hand processes all the way through. He is ‘living heritage’ and one of the last of two makers using the Palaeolithic 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 spoken to his former apprentice who is willing to come back if we can increase the demand for horn combs.

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 so frequently as attributes of beautiful mythical beings such as long haired goddesses, nymphs and mermaids.

What is a horn comb for?

* For men or women
* 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 and for helping to reduce frizzyness.
* 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
* Clean with a dry 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!

Each comb is unique. They vary in size, contour, figuring, colouring (black, brown, amber, cinnamon, yellow, white, some even with greenish or bluey 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.
* I have just visited the horn comb makers. I will be adding more information on the website and soon, on the blog.  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.

If a tine does break, it is not the end of the world, many of the combs found from archaeological sites may well have been a bit broken before deposition, the broken tine was smoothed off with a file and the use-life of the comb was extended.

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.