Home / Grooming / Buying Guides

Combs for All Kinds of Hair

A dozen different tools for tidying fine, straight, wavy coarse, curly, or coily hair.

style Courtesy

By Evan Malachosky

Published

·

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

Did you just get a haircut? Are you growing out a mane? There’s one essential tool for managing all types of hair, whether long and flowing or short and fine, curly, wavy or straight: the comb. They come in all sizes and in a million different materials, but they all do the same thing. And while it’s easy to steal your roommate or partner’s (or parent’s) in a pinch, you should get your own.

Combing represents an important step in the proper hair care routine. Combing the hair disperses its oils, which secrete from the scalp. Never combing or doing so sloppily lets it concentrate there, causing grease and flaking. Avoid both by combing. It’s that easy. And a quick comb makes you look put together, just don’t be paving your way through a clump of pomade in the process. Not only is the greaser look largely bygone (for good reason), pulling too hard can uproot your precious locks.

So, be gentle but don’t be precious. After all, you’re trying to style your hair. It should look like you combed it. Cop one of these and get to it.

A handcrafted, Swiss-made comb by Baxter of California that does exactly what it’s supposed to — for several types of hair. 

Made from: Acetate
For: Styling, trimming, and detangling straight or fine hair
Length: 5.3 inches

This option from The Art of Shaving isn’t all that different from the aforementioned one, but it’s made from natural horn, a material that restores your hair’s luster.

Made from: Natural horn
For: Styling, trimming, and detangling straight or fine hair
Length: 7.6 inches

There are two different sets of teeth on this comb from Jack Black (the brand, not the actor). It’s a no-fuss option you can get for as much as a McDonald’s meal.

Made from: Acetate
For: Styling, trimming, and detangling fine to medium hair 
Length: 7.75 inches

Dressing combs are meant for styling your hair after you’ve washed or cut it. This acetate iteration, measuring out to just over 7 inches, will help you do just that.

Made from: Acetate
For: Styling, trimming, and detangling straight or fine hair
Length: 7.2 inches

The teeth get progressively closer together as you near the other end of this comb, making it and OK option for people with fine or full hair alike.

Made from: Acetate
For: Styling, trimming, and detangling fine to medium hair
Length: 6 inches

Here’s another natural horn comb, but this one costs half as much. It also comes with its own sleeve.

Made from: Natural horn
For: Styling, trimming, and detangling fine to medium hair
Length: 6.5 inches

Celluloid is heavier and more durable (and more expensive to produce) than acetate, which most eyeglasses and combs are made from nowadays. You get better value and a longer-lasting product for about the same price. Plus, this one’s small enough to fit in your pocket. 

Made from: Celluloid
For: Styling, trimming, and detangling fine to coarse hair
Length: 5.25 inches

With a name like The Rebel, how could you not want this one? It’s for sale by French brand, Officine Universelle Buly 1803, and it’s tiny enough to fit alongside your other EDC when folded.

Made from: Acetate
For: Styling fine to medium hair
Length: 3.9 inches (folded)

The ultra-wide teeth on this comb made from recycled plastic helps those with curly, coily, or generally coarse hair manage it without damaging it.

Made from: Recycled plastic
For: Styling or detangling curly, coily or coarse hair
Length: 6.3 inches

The same goes for this Act+Acre comb, but it’s made from bamboo. 

Made from: Bamboo
For: Styling and detangling coarse, curly, coily, or long hair
Length: 5.3 inches

This is like normal combs…but brass. It’s a big flex that comes with its own leather sheath. Be gentle with your noggin, though. It’s real metal.

Made from: Brass
For: Styling and detangling fine to medium hair
Length: 4.5 inches

This comb’s made from the same material as surfboard fins, meaning it’s both flexible and hard to break. You can stuff it in your back pocket or drop it to the bottom of your beach bag.

Made from: Surfboard fins
For: Styling fine to medium hair
Length: 6 inches

Handmade in Japan, this pocket comb by Wolfman Barber Shop is fine a representation of the types professionals use. But, it’s compact enough to carry with you.

Made from: Acetate
For: Styling fine to medium hair
Length: 4.6 inches

Again, here’s a comb manufactured in an atypical material. It’s another metal, this time stainless steel, that’s been laser cut and hand finished.

Made from: Stainless steel
For: Styling and detangling fine to coarse hair
Length: 7 inches

Use Poketo’s Wave Comb for unkempt, tangly messes. The wide tooth design means it works well for most hair types.

Made from: Acetate
For: Styling and detangling coarse, curly, coily or long hair
Length: 6 inches

,