When shopping , pull on the tines if possible . If the tines are loose or come out , that means the comb will not last . Look for combs that have a warranty . These companies will replace the comb is it is defective , but will not replace due to mistreatment or acts of dog . Another consideration is the metal of the comb and the tensile straight of the metal . Tensile strength is a measurement of the material to withstand a longitudinal stress , expressed as the greatest stress that the material can stand without breaking . This basically means , how much pressure can the tine of the comb take before it bends or breaks . Companies normally do not advertise the tensile strength of the comb , but higher end combs usually are made from a higher grade of metal , and subsequently , have a higher tensile strength .
Combs don ’ t last forever , if your comb is missing teeth or is all bent and resembles a pile of sticks , it ’ s time to replace your old friend . Bent tines can accidentally scratch the skin and misaligned tines can catch to easily on an eyelid . The missing tines will cause you to recomb and area multiple times to achieve a smooth and fluffy area to scissor . Don ’ t forget to clean your combs weekly . You can use a simple soap and water solution with a small amount of disinfect added to wash them , or drop them into the ultrasonic cleaning machine . Dry thoroughly and put them away for the next day .
This is not the end of my love story - but this is just the beginning as there are combs yet to be discovered .
About The Author :
Anna Hawks is an award winning Master Pet Stylist , with over 30 years experience in the grooming industry . She is also a second generation pet stylist who is always willing to help the new stylists learn the trade and is glad to be a resource for groomers . Amongst her grooming achievements are : multiple grooming awards , grooming judge , speaker , author and now certified sharpener . This has led her to design the “ Scissors Up ” template . Anna is a strong advocate for continuing education and is a gifted educator . She has successfully managed pet salons and is a consultant for salon owners .