I am in the market for some combs and would like some advice on what to look for. I would be using them on medium and long wools - I leave the fine wools to the professional processors, as they so such a lovely job! I would appreciate input from those with experience on styles and brands.
Thanks!
Jennifer
Hi,
There are a number of things to consider for combs. I have LaniCombs and love them. One of the things i like is that you can put the comb sideways - just feels safer. Also to consider - how many rows of tines? Curved or straight? How are the tines afixed to the combs?
I also have mini combs (also by Lani) for the finest fibers (I got them for angora).
That isn't much to go on. I haven't thought about combs for ages. I'll try to dredge more up and add it when I can in the next few days.
Alison
I've been using three different sets of combs lately. The big Peter Teal combs are the workhorses. I like them a lot with the long wools. I've been combing Romney, and some very long suri alpaca on them. I combed some angora with them, which was ok, too. I had too much left-overs, and recombed on smaller cards. It did seem that the best stuff came off the big cards. I couldn't make a top, though, so I just combed the lashed ends to make little bundles from which to spin.
The second pair is Viking combs. I don't know the brand. They have two rows of long tines. They take more passes, but do a fine job. The third pair is Louet mini combs. They are good for small amounts and fine short wools.
If you get a chance to try various combs, you would get a better idea of their uses. I like the combo of the three above.
Aunt Janet
Know what? I've seen really disappointing results from mill-processed fine wools! You can probably do a better job yourself with a pair of Louet or Forsyth mini-combs.
I have a set of Alvin Ramers that do everything. Paradise Fibers also makes combs everybody likes.
I have always loved my Indigo Hound combs, I see them every year at Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. My pair is over 10 years old and still steady and in good shape. The double teeth work work beautifully for mohair, navajo churro and the leichester longwool. Here's a link for photos, I do not know the vendor, I just know the product
