If you wear a beard or know people with a beard, you are probably familiar with the beard comb. A comb to combs your beard, makes sense. Yet most men have no idea what a beard comb actually is. Most men just see a comb like any other comb used for the hair on the head. However, there are important differences.

Take a look at beard combs and you will have pages full of choices. Naturally, you just go for one that is nice and/or cheap. What else could make a difference?

Difference between a normal comb and beard comb

Beard Combs are usually thicker and smaller than a normal comb. This provides more control during combs because your beard is smaller and less dense than the hair on your head. You also often need a beard comb several times a day, and it is convenient if you can put the beard comb in your pocket.

Also, beard combs almost always have more space between the teeth of the comb. This is because facial hair is often thicker and curlier. With that space between the teeth, you can more easily get through your beard without pulling too much on the hairs. When you also use products like beard wax, styling with a beard comb becomes much easier.

Difference between a beard comb and beard brush

It should never really be a choice between a beard comb or beard brush. They have very different purposes. They naturally look completely different but also do very different things. A comb usually consists of one solid piece with teeth, and a brush consists of a solid piece with multiple bristles.

The purpose of the beard comb

The beard comb is more intended to style the beard and free the beard from tangles. Best used when you have washed your beard. The beard comb is good for styling your beard when you have just applied a beard balm or beard wax to your beard. Do not do this with the beard brush because it will become a big mess. The beard comb can be cleaned very easily.

The purpose of the beard brush

A beard brush is intended to clean, soften, and scrub the skin under the beard. Impurities in the beard are removed, and the beard hairs become very soft. If you suffer from dandruff or dry skin, the beard brush is indispensable. When you use beard oil or beard balm, brushing also helps to distribute the oils well through the beard. This gives an extra softening effect.

Choosing a beard comb

When you want to buy a beard comb, there are a few things you can consider, namely the size and the material.

Size

When you look at the size of a beard comb, you have the normal beard comb which is small but not quite small enough to fit in your pocket. The pocket-size beard combs can fit in your pocket and can be used for precise styling of the beard. You can also buy these pocket sizes as a foldable beard comb. Then there is the mustache comb, which is the smallest size. It is not really suitable for larger beards.

Material

The material from which a beard comb is made is actually the most important when choosing a beard comb. This is because it affects the hair. The cheapest plastic beard combs are mass-produced by machines. The teeth of these combs have small serrations. You can't really see them with the naked eye, but they are there. Every time you comb your hair beard hairs, those serrations damage the hairs. This is also the biggest cause of split ends in men who grow a beard.

If you choose a comb made of woody, plastic, or metal from a good brand, you can expect that these serrations are not present.

Woody

The wooden beard comb is very popular because it looks very rugged. They are cheaper than combs made of horn and metal but also do not cause split ends. The downside of wooden combs is that they are harder to clean and are less smooth, making the combs a bit rougher.

Top Picks for a wooden beard comb

View Mr Bear Family Beard Comb

Horn

Not very animal-friendly, but horn is very smooth and does not damage your beard hairs. The material is also very strong and can last a lifetime. They are only much more expensive than beard combs made of woody and are also not animal-friendly. We only sell imitation ivory ourselves.

Top Picks for an ivory beard comb

View Taylor of Old Bonstreet Moustache Comb Ivory

Cellulose acetate (plastic)

These combs resemble plastic but have no serrations and are therefore good to use for the beard. They generally do not last as long as a comb made of horn or metal but are also much cheaper.

Top Picks for a beard comb made of plastic

View Captain Fawcett Foldable Beard Pocket Comb

Metal

Metal is very strong and therefore lasts a long time. They can be annoying for some men as they are static. They are also very suitable to take with you as they do not break. You can, so to speak, just sit on them. They are generally a bit more expensive.

Top Picks for a metal beard comb

View Bossman Beard & Moustache Comb - Metal