New to Van Clarke? Subscribe to our newsletter for 15% off your first order. Start your haircare journey today.
quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.” You’ve heard the saying. And I know at first glance, this looks just like a plastic comb, but trust me, the similarity ends there.
Plastic combs are moulded in two halves and then sandwiched together. That process tends to leave rough edges on the teeth that can then tear the surface cuticle of hair. This is the start of further damage and decay.
Saw-cut combs are hewn from one piece of material and then the teeth are sawn through.
Through history this material may have been ivory, bone, ebony or tortoise shell. Ours are made from vulcanised rubber, by artisans specialising in this process for the last 150 years. Each comb goes through more than forty production stages, lastly, polishing the teeth and tips by hand to ensure they are smooth.
Vulcanised rubber came about by chance in 1839, when Charles Goodyear was experimenting with different processes and chemicals to widen the uses of rubber. By accident he dropped a sulphur and rubber mixture in a hot frying pan. Instead of melting further or vaporising, it stayed firm and actually became harder with more heat. It created a strong, flexible material that is more resistant to chemicals. Vulcanisation in its simplest form involves heating the rubber with sulphur to create tougher, more durable materials.
Our saw-cut vulcanised rubber combs are the only combs we use in our London salon. They're hand made from a mix of rubber, sulphur and linseed oil and are 100% organic. We obsess about the care of hair. And it's why we devote ourselves to creating the very best products.
Large Handled Safety Comb - £22.50
Small Safety Comb - £16.50
Michael Van Clarke
You can fake it with the ‘head upside down and empty a can of hairspray’ trick, but I don’t recommend this. For volume that looks and feels natural and lasts, the following ideas help. The more techniques you use the more lasting the volume.
