There are many types of hair combs on the market today. Some men will only be concerned with something like a pocket comb. However, there are a lot of important tools that can help the modern man stay well groomed. Here is a look at types of hair combs you may encounter.
Different Types Of Hair Combs & Their Uses
Comb Type |
Usage |
|---|---|
| Wide-Tooth Comb | Used to detangle wet hair and for distributing conditioner evenly. |
| Tail Comb | Features a long, pointed handle for parting hair and creating neat sections. The comb end is used for fine combing. |
| Pocket Comb | Compact comb for on-the-go styling and taming hair throughout the day. |
| Rat Tail Comb | Similar to a tail comb, but with a thinner handle. Used for precise parting and styling. |
| Teasing Comb | Used for adding volume to the roots by backcombing the hair. |
| Flea Comb | A very fine-toothed comb, often used on pets to remove fleas and tangles. |
| Paddle Comb | Typically used for smoothing and straightening long hair when blow-drying. |
| Barber Comb | Used by barbers for cutting hair, often has both fine and wide teeth for versatility in cutting and styling. |
| Afro Comb | Designed with long teeth to lift and shape hair into an afro style. |
| Thinning Comb | Comb with a built-in razor for thinning thick hair and creating a textured look. |
Wide Tooth Comb
Diane Ionic Extra Wide Comb With Handle
Wide tooth combs have large spaces between the teeth, which is ideal for detangling and styling wet or dry hair without causing breakage.
Some comb designs have wide teeth and some have fine. Wide teeth are best for getting out tangles. This often happens when you first get up in the morning. However, if you are going for the bedhead look, be careful. You may not want to do anything with your hairstyle in the morning.
Speciality: Excellent for detangling, especially for curly or wavy hair. Prevents hair breakage while combing through knots.
Things to Consider When Buying This Comb: Look for a comb with smooth and rounded teeth, ensuring it won’t scratch the scalp or cause hair damage. Opt for a sturdy material like wood or high-quality plastic.
Who Needs This Comb? People with curly, thick, or wavy hair will find the wide tooth comb ideal for detangling without breakage.
Fine Tooth Comb
A fine tooth comb is used for smoothing and styling the hair. It’s great for creating neat hairstyles and ensuring each hair is in place.
A fine tooth comb is for getting the hairs all in place. You may wish to begin with a wide tooth and then finish up with the fine tooth model. Take it slowly, as it may hang up in very thick manes, and you may lose more hairs that you want. This depends on how much you have to spare, of course.
Speciality: Provides precision styling, perfect for slicked-back looks or pompadours. Also used for removing lice.
Things to Consider When Buying This Comb: Ensure the teeth of the comb are smoothly finished, and the material is durable. Also, consider the spacing that suits your hair type.
Who Needs This Comb? Ideal for those with straight, fine hair or individuals looking to create specific hairstyles requiring smoothness.
Rat Tail Comb
Scalpmaster 8″ Nano Rat Tail Comb
Rat tail combs have a thin and straight handle, which is used to create precise parts in the hair.
Many men may think that the rat tail is simply a comb with a handle. This is not the case. The rat tail is used to help get parts straight. Maybe you want a part down the middle or to one side. Use the handle portion of the “rat tail” to run across the area you wish to part.
Speciality: Excellent for creating clean parts and sections in the hair for various hairstyles and for applying hair color in specific areas.
Things to Consider When Buying This Comb: Check for a comfortable handle grip and choose a material that is heat and chemical resistant if using it for styling or coloring.
Who Needs This Comb? People who frequently style their hair or need precision for parting and sectioning, such as for braids or updos.
Pin Tail Comb
A close relative of the rat tail is the pin tail. The pin tail comb has a finer tail compared to a rat tail comb. It’s excellent for even more precise parting and sectioning. This is similar to a rat tail but has a much finer tail. This allows for precise parting.
It is also a good tool for men who wish to straighten their hair with a flat iron. You can work with one particular section without leaving stray hairs. It also keeps you from accidentally poking your scalp.
If you want to change your hair color, the pin-tail comb is a good tool. It allows for precision work. This is especially important if you want to have a hairstyle with a blond streak. You may never use rollers, but if you do, the pin tail will be more effective for gathering just the right amount of hair.
Speciality: Precise sectioning of hair, especially when using hair color or working with very detailed hairstyles.
Things to Consider When Buying This Comb: Look for a pin tail comb with a sturdy and pointed tail. The teeth should be smooth to prevent snagging, and the material should be heat and chemical resistant.
Who Needs This Comb? Hairstylists and individuals who often engage in intricate hairstyles or color their hair regularly.
Barber Comb
Barber combs are typically used for cutting and trimming hair. They usually have both fine and wide teeth.
Most men have seen barber combs and are familiar with their use. They allow the barber to cut and trim without getting too close to the head. It is similar to guards that are on electric clippers. These combs are tapered to provide a lot of different options.
Speciality: Great for cutting and trimming hair. Allows the barber to hold hair in place while cutting.
Things to Consider When Buying This Comb: Opt for a material that is heat and chemical resistant. The comb should also be flexible and have smooth teeth.
Who Needs This Comb? Barbers, hair stylists, and anyone who cuts or trims hair at home.
Pocket Comb
Pocket combs are small, convenient, and portable, usually featuring both fine and wide teeth.
The pocket comb is a very handy tool and usually has one side with much finer teeth. It serves a lot of purposes. Most men are familiar with this kind of tool, and not much else needs to be said.
Speciality: Handy for on-the-go grooming and touch-ups.
Things to Consider When Buying This Comb: Ensure the comb is made from durable material and the teeth aren’t sharp. It should be compact for easy portability.
Who Needs This Comb? Anyone who wants a portable solution for hair grooming throughout the day.
All-Purpose Comb
Ace All-purpose Comb 7″ Fine-teeth
All-purpose combs are versatile, usually larger than pocket combs and can be used for a variety of styling and grooming tasks.
Speciality: Jack of all trades – good for detangling, styling, and smoothing hair.
Things to Consider When Buying This Comb: Look for a comb with both wide and fine teeth for versatility. Choose a durable and comfortable material.
Who Needs This Comb? Anyone looking for a general-use comb for different hair types and styling needs.
Rake Comb
Rake combs have wide-set teeth that resemble a rake. It is excellent for detangling and styling long hair.
The rake comb gets its name for a very good reason. It resembles a garden rake. It is very good for untangling long hair. This allows you to rake through your hair with minimal pain and loss. It is a good way to straighten out a big mess.
Speciality: Detangling long or thick hair with minimal pain and hair loss.
Things to Consider When Buying This Comb: Make sure the teeth are rounded and spaced well. The material should be sturdy and durable.
Who Needs This Comb? Individuals with long, thick, or curly hair that needs gentle detangling.
Teasing Comb
Teasing combs have narrow teeth that are used to add volume to the hair by creating small tangles near the roots.
Maybe your hairstyle selections seem limited because you have thin hair. You might want to add some texture and body. The teasing comb looks like someone has taken a rat tail comb and attached a dinner fork to it. However, this is used to tease hair.
The teasing comb is used by taking a strand of hairs and holding them straight up. Run the teasing tool from six to ten times through the hairs. Do this with as many strands as you like. You should have a fairly long hairstyle for this to be most effective.
Speciality: Adding volume and texture to thin or flat hair.
Things to Consider When Buying This Comb: Teeth should be close together, and the material should be sturdy. A handle for sectioning can also be beneficial.
Who Needs This Comb? Individuals with thin or fine hair looking to add volume, or anyone creating hairstyles that require added lift at the roots.
Styling Comb Set
Magic 10 Piece Professional Styling Comb Set
No talk of the types of hair combs would be complete without recommending a good product. If you want to have an excellent selection of hair grooming tools, you may wish to consider the Magic 10 Piece Professional Styling Comb Set.
It has ten kinds of combs and also a vinyl carrying case. It is very inexpensive and is a good gift for your significant other. However, if you need them all, just buy two sets. It’s available in black or brown set.
Specialty: Offers a selection of combs for various styling needs.
Things to Consider When Buying This Comb: Look for a set that includes the types of combs you need. Ensure the material is durable and heat-resistant.
Who Needs This Comb? Great for hairstylists, or individuals who enjoy experimenting with different hairstyles and need various types of combs.
The below three hair combs are also popular in the hair community in 2023.
