Combs + Combs + Combs (Part 1)

7.5 Inch Grooming Comb Review:

Combs are used EVERY SINGLE DAY, and multiple times each day!    A comb review is pretty hard to do in one pass.   There are tons of GOOD and GREAT choices.   We will look at just Grooming Combs today.    

Face, beard and flea combs will be covered in future posts.

I have used, loved and hated all kinds of different combs.   I let my dogs tell me what they like as their comfort is TOP PRIORITY when they get their SPA GROOMING treatment.     Light weight and high function are very important to me as the groomer.   

The truth is my heart LOVES the Chris Christensen special edition #000 Buttercomb.

#000 Chris Christensen Buttercomb 7 1/2 " Long Tooth Fine/Coarse

It is BLUE and CRAZY AMAZING.     SADLY, this blue special edition comb is currently unavailable.   I have had it for about 4 years and with the exception of ONE tooth being bent and a small corner chip in the paint it works like BUTTER!

http://www.chrissystems.com/grooming-tools/pet-grooming-show-dog-and-cat-combs.aspx

I LOVE CC combs.   The combs simply glide through the hair smoothly, 'LIKE BUTTER'.   In the brush world my GO TO pin brush is a Madan over the CC pin (both are AWESOME).    In the comb world, my GO TO comb is the CC Buttercomb over the Madan (again these are my TOP 2).

Chris Christensen Buttercombs are the GOLD STANDARD for my GO TO GROOMING Comb + Detangler

In my daily grooming routine, I will search for mats after I do an initial brushing out with a Madan pin brush.    I always spritz with either the CC Ice on Ice or the PURE PAWS Classic Line SHINE Conditioning Spray (purple bottle) before any type of brushing.   

If I find any mats I spray the mat with CC ICE on ICE and then work out the mats with my fingers.   If the mat is small I just spray with ICE AND ICE and brush with the CC WOODEN PIN brush (works on mats like a charm).    This takes out most of the mat.    

Then I follow and finish the body with this CC 7 1/2" Buttercomb.    I will once again spritz both  the area where the mat was as well as the COMB with IceONIce before combing.   

The CC Buttercomb will finish taking out all the loosened mats as well as CLEANLY brush out and separate all the hair.   (pictured above)

CC #000 Buttercomb in Blue vs MADAN X-Long Pin in Pink Aluminum

$32 on a CC comb is pretty steep.    There are some less expensive alternatives, but if you have multiple dogs and home groom,

I would recommend either the 
#000 $32 or the #005 $50 as a GO TO GROOMING Comb!

CC 7.5 Inch Buttercomb Coarse/Fine #000 $32

Madan 7.5" Aluminum X-LONG Pins $20

The new Madan Aluminum 7/5" with EXTRA LONGER PINS (pic above)  is actually equivalent to the CC #005, though the Madan pins are slightly shorter (1.4" long vs the CC 1.625").   The  ALUMINUM OVAL non-slip handle makes this comb EXTREMELY light for it's size and appearance.   

I love the lightness of the aluminum body, as I am hard on my hands and they are starting to hurt from arthritis, so lightweight combs and brushes are a must for my GO TO Grooming needs.

The tips of the pins are SLIGHTLY pointier to the touch then the CC Buttercomb, but I really enjoyed the longer pins and the light weight feature of this comb. 

This comb is new and is available in Purple, Light Pink (pictured), Orange and Gold.    Definitely worth it's weight for just $20.

Madan 7.5" Aluminum X-Long Pins $20 ---- the longer pins make it great to use with Clipper work

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Pictured above is another great feature about the longer pins on say a CC #005 or a Madan Aluminum 7.5" Aluminum with Xtra Long pins.   Safety is really important when home grooming and the longer pins allow us groomers to use the comb as a tool/barrier when we are using a clipper.   This is very useful when clipping closer to the skin especially in the rump area or hygiene area.    

The longer pins are also FANTASTIC for fluffing the coat prior to using the clipper or prior to scissor clipping.    

We have a choice of the CC #005 for $50 or the Madan X-Long Alum for $20.   Great 1,2 choices!

Madan Pink 7.5" Aluminum $13

A great inexpensive comparable comb to the amazing #000 would be the Madan 7.5" Aluminum comb.    The PINK and GREEN have pins that are 1.14" long, but the BLUE and PURPLE have pins just under 1".   Sadly I find the 1" pins too short and quite unfunctional for my uses.    I would move over to a face or beard comb if I want short pins.   

Again, the aluminum body makes this comb very lightweight and very useful for everyday grooming.   A great 2nd choice if you didn't want to spend $32 on the #000 Buttercomb.

Madan SHINY Grooming Comb 7.5"   $20

Another great alternative is the Madan SHINY Grooming comb 7.5", also available at www.toplinepet.com.   This is made of some type of Automobile Galvanized plated finish, with a COPPER round handle.    This comb comes in many colors and has COARSE + FINE pins.   The weight and overall size for the Blue CC#000 and this Madan SHINY 7/5" are pretty identical.  

I would say it is definitely SLIGHTLY heavier then the 2  Aluminum Madan combs that I posted above, but if you like a solid shiny comb that is really a perfect size for everyday grooming, then this is a pretty good alternative.     

Petedge Master Grooming Greyhound Comb Fine/Coarse $7.43 on sale from $9.29

Master Grooming Greyhounds can be found at Petedge.com  and I thought I would try these out to see if they would hold up to my snobby comb preferences.

Above is the MGT 7.5" Greyhound Fine/Coarse, which is only $7.43 on sale at the moment.   It is available in many colors and pictured above is the RAINBOW version.    The comb is noticeably and significantly heavier then both the CC combs and the Madan combs.    My eyes tell me that they should be just as good as my BLUE CC BUTTERCOMB, but somehow there is a huge disparity in the two combs.    

First, the SIGNIFICAANTLY heavier weight of the MGT comb makes me hate picking it up (sorry MGT).    Next, and more importantly my dogs didn't like this comb anywhere near their legs.    

The hair doesn't have that 'LIKE BUTTER' glide with this comb.    HOW can this be?    Isn't stainless steel all the same?    In the cooking world, all stainless steel pots are NOT created equal.    I prefer using ALL CLAD stainless steel pots over any other less expensive brands. The ALL CLAD pots maintain their luster, are better conductors of heat, and for many other reasons make cooking an enjoyable and gourmet experience.

I think the same goes for the quality of the stainless steel that is used in Chris Christensen combs.    One of the earlier interviews I read about the making of the CC company was that CC was focused on the making a great product without consideration of making it less expensive for the consumer.    The stainless steel of the CC combs, must be likened to the high quality of the stainless steel that is used in my favored ALL CLAD cooking pots.

Sadly, my review of the MGT Grooming comb is that though it  is a great deal for a comb,  I would much rather pay a little more @ $13 and get a much better product with the Madan 7.5" aluminum.    BETTER YET just fork out the $32 for the CC#000 or $50 for the #005 and LOVE grooming with it FOREVER!!!...just saying...

Wow, and we haven't even touched on the rat tail comb nor the face/beard combs yet.    Forthcoming in the near future.

Thanks for reading.     Please feel free to share your thoughts on what your favorite grooming comb is!!

PRODUCT MENTIONED and PICTURED IN THIS FB NOTES:

• CC #000 Buttercomb 7 1/2" Fine/Course:   Teeth are 1 1/16" long (26 wide and 37 fine pins) $32
• Madan Aluminum 7.5" Lightweight Comb Fine/Coarse:   Teeth are 1.14" (PINK or Green) or 1" (blue or purple)  $13
• Madan Shiny grooming 7 1/2" Comb Fine/Coarse:    Teeth are 1.1" (many colors) $20

• CC #005 Buttercomb 7 1/2" Long Tooth Fine/Course:    Teeth are 1 5/8" long  @ $50
• Madan Alum 7.5" Xtra Long Pins:   Teeth are 1.4" long (26 wide and 37 fine pins)  $20

Other must haves:    I will find comps for these CC combs in a future post

• CC #006 Face & Feet Buttercomb 5" long:   Teeth are 5/8" long (spaced at 24/inch and 12/inch)
• CC #008 Tail Comb ALL FINE:   7" long with 4" tail:    Teeth are 3/4" long (spaced 16/inch)

Chris Christensen combs are found on their website at www.chrissytems.com
Madan combs and brushes are found onwww.toplinepet.com  


Note:   All fluffs as wells as their groomers have different tastes, needs and favorites.   Not every SPAW treatment need be the same.    Maltese Obsession is happy to share our PAWSITIVELY Perfect GO TO Grooming experiences.

 Please acquire your dog thru an ethical, reputable and HUMANE AKC breeder, or better yet please consider adopting one of many maltese and other dogs available through your local rescue @ Petfinder.com  
Never, never invest a single penny at a petstore that sells puppies...just sayin'..