Frequently Asked Questions
How does custom-engraving of individual combs work?
We offer custom-engraving on all combs, to personalize the comb with name, initials, or other inscription. We can personalize the comb with up to around 20 letters or characters (a little over 20 is OK too).
For Standard stainless steel combs, we normally engrave using classic double-line font, using a vintage, early 1960s engraving machine which carves the letters into the metal. Please note that the vintage machine doesn't have some of the characters being used these days - such as the # symbol - and the size of the letters is fixed. If we don't have all the characters in the vintage font set, or the inscription would look better using the laser (as is often the case with Mirror combs or combs with longer inscriptions), we will engrave using our laser-engraver, which uses Vollkorn font, the same font used for our Chicago Comb logo. If you prefer a different font, please let us know and we will try to match it as closely as possible.
For Black stainless, Vibrant, Carbon Fiber, and Titanium combs, because the surface of those combs is not suitable for the metal engraving tip of our vintage machine, we always engrave those using our modern laser machine.
When you check out, please put what you'd engraved in the "Note to Seller" box. Yes, we can also engrave in other languages and alphabets, such as Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Arabic, and others. Please contact us after you have ordered!
Can you make custom combs with our company's logo?
Yes, we can create combs with your company's unique logo/design. For company logos/designs, we use a special laser-etching processes which produces amazing results. Please contact us for more information and sample photos.
How long will it take to receive my order?
Our goal to ship all combs - including custom-engraved combs - generally within 1 or 2 business days after you place your order. We generally ship using U.S. Postal Service first class mail, and for U.S. addresses, the normal delivery time is about 2-5 business days. Sometimes it can take longer for the Post Office to deliver first class mail, especially around the holidays when the mail volumes are bigger. Because the Post Office doesn't guarantee delivery dates for first class mail, please let us know if you need the comb by a specific date. For international orders, it generally takes 2-3 weeks for packages to arrive via airmail; however, is some cases it can take up to 6-8 weeks for international packages to arrive if there are delays at the border. We also offer express shipping options on all orders using UPS or U.S. Postal Service Express Mail if you need it quickly!
Do you ship to overseas U.S. military address (APO, FPO, etc.)?
Yes, we definitely ship overseas to U.S. military and diplomatic addresses! Our website template doesn't have a "drop down" choice for APO/FPO, so when you order, please select California as the "State", and just write in APO or FPO in the "City, Town" space. We'll correct the address to reflect that it's APO or FPO (and not California) before we ship. You can also contact us after you've ordered to confirm. We've shipped many times to APO/FPO addresses without any issue, and we always look forward to sending our honored service members. Please contact us to receive a military discount!
What are the differences between the spacing of the teeth (tines) on the combs?
We sell medium tooth combs (Model No. 1) wide-tooth combs (Model 5); fine tooth combs (Model No. 2); combs with medium-fine teeth (Models 3 and 4); and combs which combine fine and wide teeth (Model 6). Model 5 has the widest spacing between the teeth, followed by Model 6 and Model 1. The Model 3 and 4 combs have slightly thinner teeth spread a little closer together. The Model 2 and Model 6 combs have the thinnest tines, spaced closest together.
Which comb is the best for my hair?
The answer really depends on the person and the purpose for which you're using the comb. For thicker or longer hair we often recommend the Model 1, Models 5, and Model 6 combs. For finer or thinner hair, the Models 3 and 4 are a great option. For beards and mustaches, the Model 2 and Model 4 are a great choice (shorter beards) or the Model 5 (big beards).
What materials are used in the making of a Chicago Comb?
We make combs from titanium, stainless steel, and carbon fiber composite. We use these materials because they are highly durable, extremely strong, and have superior weight and feel characteristics. For the stainless steel combs, the Model No. 1 and Model No. 3 weigh 1.7 ounces (similar to a candy bar), but they feel much more substantial in hand than any plastic comb. The stainless steel Model No. 2 comb weighs 1.1 ounces, and the Model 4 weighs 1.3 ounces. Model 5 combs weigh under one ounce. All of the Titanium combs also weigh less than one ounce. (For our international customers' reference, 1 ounce = approximately 28 grams). The Carbon Fiber Model 1 weighs 10 grams (about 1/3 of an ounce) and the Model 6 weighs just slightly more.
The high-grade American stainless steel used on Chicago Combs is incredibly durable and strong. Our Titanium combs are also made of incredible pure American titanium which is both very strong and very light. According to physicists, titanium has a fascinating origin: all of the titanium found on earth was created by one of the most amazing phenomena in the universe -- the massive explosion of supernovas (giant stars) billions of years ago. The Carbon Fiber combs are made of a unique composite material which is ultra smooth, strong, and light, and which showcases the amazing anti-static and heat-resistant characteristics of the material.
Our leather cases (sheaths) are all made of high quality Horween leather. The Horween tannery has been making some of the world's finest premium leathers here in Chicago since 1905, including Shell Cordovan, an equine leather which many consider to be the world's finest leather. All of our sheaths are made in Chicago by Ashland Leather Co., whose owners, Phil and Dan, also work at Horween and obtain the leather directly from the tannery.
What is the circle (hole) for?
The circles in our Model No. 1 and 2 combs are design elements. Our philosophy is to create combs with timeless, clean, and elegant designs. The circle can be used to hold the comb and also hang up the comb after use.
What are the dimensions of the combs?
For the Model No. 1, the length of the comb is 5.5 inches. The height is 1.5 inches on the side with the circle and 1.25 inches on the rest of the comb. Model No. 3 and Long Model 5 are also 5.5 inches long, and are approximately 1.25 inches high. For the Model No. 2, Model No. 4, and Short Model 5 combs, the length is 4 inches and the height is 1.25 inches. (For our international customers' reference, 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters.) The Model 6 comb is 7 inches (17.8 cm) long and 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) high.
Is a metal comb comfortable to use? Won't it catch on your hair?
A stainless steel or titanium Chicago Comb is just as comfortable and easy to use as any other comb you may have used. We have created a unique, multi-step process to carefully finish and polish each metal comb so that all the surfaces and edges are smooth, rounded, and gentle on the scalp.
Why did Chicago Comb re-introduce metal combs to the market after they had disappeared?
For thousands of years, combs were made of a variety of materials, including wood, shells, and metals such as silver and later aluminum. Some of the combs which survive from that period have intricate designs and were made with great attention to detail. Particularly notable are early 20th Century designs by Auguste Bonaz in France and Georg Jensen in Denmark.
In the mid and late 20th Century, however, the market came to be overwhelmed by plastic combs mass produced by the millions. Such combs continue to dominate the market today. Most make no effort to provide any element of art or design; they are designed to be inexpensive and disposable; and are imported from anonymous factories in Third World countries. Chicago Combs, both in design and manufacture, are the antithesis of that. They are well made, beautiful, and designed to provide decades of comfortable everyday use. This is also true for our Carbon Fiber combs, which are made of a unique composite material that is far superior to any regular plastic comb.
What is your return/exchange policy?
Products purchased from our website may be returned or exchanged for any reason within 60 days of purchase, unless the comb has been custom-engraved. We will refund the full purchase price less our cost of shipping for products returned in like-new condition. While custom-engraved combs cannot be returned, if there is an issue with a custom-engraved comb, please let us know and we'll do our best to help. We will do everything possible to make sure you love your comb and your overall experience!
Will a metal comb go through airport security?
This is one of our most-asked questions! The answer is "yes," there should be no problem going through airport security. We and many customers have taken Chicago Combs through airport security, both in the US and internationally, countless times without any issue. We've even taken 80+ metal combs on board a single carry-on bag during international flights to trade shows in Germany and UK with no problem. While airport security doesn't seem to pose any problem, we did hear recently from a customer whose comb was taken away at a MLB baseball park. Ballparks have some weird and idiosyncratic rules (for example, our co-owner John had an umbrella taken away when entering a Cubs game at Wrigley Field not too long ago). So for baseball parks, maybe it's best to leave your comb at home!
We offer custom-engraving on all combs, to personalize the comb with name, initials, or other inscription. We can personalize the comb with up to around 20 letters or characters (a little over 20 is OK too).
For Standard stainless steel combs, we normally engrave using classic double-line font, using a vintage, early 1960s engraving machine which carves the letters into the metal. Please note that the vintage machine doesn't have some of the characters being used these days - such as the # symbol - and the size of the letters is fixed. If we don't have all the characters in the vintage font set, or the inscription would look better using the laser (as is often the case with Mirror combs or combs with longer inscriptions), we will engrave using our laser-engraver, which uses Vollkorn font, the same font used for our Chicago Comb logo. If you prefer a different font, please let us know and we will try to match it as closely as possible.
For Black stainless, Vibrant, Carbon Fiber, and Titanium combs, because the surface of those combs is not suitable for the metal engraving tip of our vintage machine, we always engrave those using our modern laser machine.
When you check out, please put what you'd engraved in the "Note to Seller" box. Yes, we can also engrave in other languages and alphabets, such as Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Arabic, and others. Please contact us after you have ordered!
Can you make custom combs with our company's logo?
Yes, we can create combs with your company's unique logo/design. For company logos/designs, we use a special laser-etching processes which produces amazing results. Please contact us for more information and sample photos.
How long will it take to receive my order?
Our goal to ship all combs - including custom-engraved combs - generally within 1 or 2 business days after you place your order. We generally ship using U.S. Postal Service first class mail, and for U.S. addresses, the normal delivery time is about 2-5 business days. Sometimes it can take longer for the Post Office to deliver first class mail, especially around the holidays when the mail volumes are bigger. Because the Post Office doesn't guarantee delivery dates for first class mail, please let us know if you need the comb by a specific date. For international orders, it generally takes 2-3 weeks for packages to arrive via airmail; however, is some cases it can take up to 6-8 weeks for international packages to arrive if there are delays at the border. We also offer express shipping options on all orders using UPS or U.S. Postal Service Express Mail if you need it quickly!
Do you ship to overseas U.S. military address (APO, FPO, etc.)?
Yes, we definitely ship overseas to U.S. military and diplomatic addresses! Our website template doesn't have a "drop down" choice for APO/FPO, so when you order, please select California as the "State", and just write in APO or FPO in the "City, Town" space. We'll correct the address to reflect that it's APO or FPO (and not California) before we ship. You can also contact us after you've ordered to confirm. We've shipped many times to APO/FPO addresses without any issue, and we always look forward to sending our honored service members. Please contact us to receive a military discount!
What are the differences between the spacing of the teeth (tines) on the combs?
We sell medium tooth combs (Model No. 1) wide-tooth combs (Model 5); fine tooth combs (Model No. 2); combs with medium-fine teeth (Models 3 and 4); and combs which combine fine and wide teeth (Model 6). Model 5 has the widest spacing between the teeth, followed by Model 6 and Model 1. The Model 3 and 4 combs have slightly thinner teeth spread a little closer together. The Model 2 and Model 6 combs have the thinnest tines, spaced closest together.
Which comb is the best for my hair?
The answer really depends on the person and the purpose for which you're using the comb. For thicker or longer hair we often recommend the Model 1, Models 5, and Model 6 combs. For finer or thinner hair, the Models 3 and 4 are a great option. For beards and mustaches, the Model 2 and Model 4 are a great choice (shorter beards) or the Model 5 (big beards).
What materials are used in the making of a Chicago Comb?
We make combs from titanium, stainless steel, and carbon fiber composite. We use these materials because they are highly durable, extremely strong, and have superior weight and feel characteristics. For the stainless steel combs, the Model No. 1 and Model No. 3 weigh 1.7 ounces (similar to a candy bar), but they feel much more substantial in hand than any plastic comb. The stainless steel Model No. 2 comb weighs 1.1 ounces, and the Model 4 weighs 1.3 ounces. Model 5 combs weigh under one ounce. All of the Titanium combs also weigh less than one ounce. (For our international customers' reference, 1 ounce = approximately 28 grams). The Carbon Fiber Model 1 weighs 10 grams (about 1/3 of an ounce) and the Model 6 weighs just slightly more.
The high-grade American stainless steel used on Chicago Combs is incredibly durable and strong. Our Titanium combs are also made of incredible pure American titanium which is both very strong and very light. According to physicists, titanium has a fascinating origin: all of the titanium found on earth was created by one of the most amazing phenomena in the universe -- the massive explosion of supernovas (giant stars) billions of years ago. The Carbon Fiber combs are made of a unique composite material which is ultra smooth, strong, and light, and which showcases the amazing anti-static and heat-resistant characteristics of the material.
Our leather cases (sheaths) are all made of high quality Horween leather. The Horween tannery has been making some of the world's finest premium leathers here in Chicago since 1905, including Shell Cordovan, an equine leather which many consider to be the world's finest leather. All of our sheaths are made in Chicago by Ashland Leather Co., whose owners, Phil and Dan, also work at Horween and obtain the leather directly from the tannery.
What is the circle (hole) for?
The circles in our Model No. 1 and 2 combs are design elements. Our philosophy is to create combs with timeless, clean, and elegant designs. The circle can be used to hold the comb and also hang up the comb after use.
What are the dimensions of the combs?
For the Model No. 1, the length of the comb is 5.5 inches. The height is 1.5 inches on the side with the circle and 1.25 inches on the rest of the comb. Model No. 3 and Long Model 5 are also 5.5 inches long, and are approximately 1.25 inches high. For the Model No. 2, Model No. 4, and Short Model 5 combs, the length is 4 inches and the height is 1.25 inches. (For our international customers' reference, 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters.) The Model 6 comb is 7 inches (17.8 cm) long and 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) high.
Is a metal comb comfortable to use? Won't it catch on your hair?
A stainless steel or titanium Chicago Comb is just as comfortable and easy to use as any other comb you may have used. We have created a unique, multi-step process to carefully finish and polish each metal comb so that all the surfaces and edges are smooth, rounded, and gentle on the scalp.
Why did Chicago Comb re-introduce metal combs to the market after they had disappeared?
For thousands of years, combs were made of a variety of materials, including wood, shells, and metals such as silver and later aluminum. Some of the combs which survive from that period have intricate designs and were made with great attention to detail. Particularly notable are early 20th Century designs by Auguste Bonaz in France and Georg Jensen in Denmark.
In the mid and late 20th Century, however, the market came to be overwhelmed by plastic combs mass produced by the millions. Such combs continue to dominate the market today. Most make no effort to provide any element of art or design; they are designed to be inexpensive and disposable; and are imported from anonymous factories in Third World countries. Chicago Combs, both in design and manufacture, are the antithesis of that. They are well made, beautiful, and designed to provide decades of comfortable everyday use. This is also true for our Carbon Fiber combs, which are made of a unique composite material that is far superior to any regular plastic comb.
What is your return/exchange policy?
Products purchased from our website may be returned or exchanged for any reason within 60 days of purchase, unless the comb has been custom-engraved. We will refund the full purchase price less our cost of shipping for products returned in like-new condition. While custom-engraved combs cannot be returned, if there is an issue with a custom-engraved comb, please let us know and we'll do our best to help. We will do everything possible to make sure you love your comb and your overall experience!
Will a metal comb go through airport security?
This is one of our most-asked questions! The answer is "yes," there should be no problem going through airport security. We and many customers have taken Chicago Combs through airport security, both in the US and internationally, countless times without any issue. We've even taken 80+ metal combs on board a single carry-on bag during international flights to trade shows in Germany and UK with no problem. While airport security doesn't seem to pose any problem, we did hear recently from a customer whose comb was taken away at a MLB baseball park. Ballparks have some weird and idiosyncratic rules (for example, our co-owner John had an umbrella taken away when entering a Cubs game at Wrigley Field not too long ago). So for baseball parks, maybe it's best to leave your comb at home!
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