New to Van Clarke? Subscribe to our newsletter for 15% off your first order. Start your haircare journey today.

You May Think it’s Just a Plastic Comb

November 22, 2024

You May Think it’s Just a Plastic Comb

“If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and…

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

 Michael Van Clarke





Also in Blogs

What's The Diamond Dry Cut?
What's The Diamond Dry Cut?

September 12, 2025

Imagine your hair doing what it’s supposed to. Moving effortlessly and falling back in to shape. Day in day out...

Continue Reading

In the Chair - Real People Real Hair - Emily
In the Chair - Real People Real Hair - Emily

September 12, 2025

Emily had relied on extensions for thicker and longer hair. She’d taken them out just before visiting me, and as is often the case, they'd put a strain on her own hair which was quite broken and depleted. Emily’s hair was thick and healthy enough at the roots to grow long if it was cared for properly, but now the ends

Continue Reading

Gaby's (No-Bake) Bakery
Gaby's (No-Bake) Bakery

September 11, 2025

Here’s one to confuse your taste buds. Normally you’d expect to bite through the soft filling, in this case soft apple oozing with cinnamon nutmeg and sultana flavours, whilst preparing to hit the biscuity or flaky case...

Continue Reading