Cellulose acetate is not a natural material, but it is made from natural material. It is used almost exclusively in sheet form for the manufacture of eyeglass frames. However, you can also make beautiful combs from it.
This material has existed since 1865. At that time, cellulose acetate was first produced from cotton fibers and acetic anhydride.
Manufacturing is still done in a similar way today. Thus, cellulose acetate still consists exclusively of natural raw materials (cellulose, obtained from e.g., beech wood or cotton) and acetic acid.
Our high-quality acetate made in Italy is otherwise almost exclusively used for producing expensive eyeglass frames. But very beautiful hair- and skin-friendly combs can also be made from it. The material is delivered in sheet form and processed almost like horn.
The combs also feel similar to genuine horn combs. They are (due to almost identical processing) just as smooth and have a similar weight. They are very break- and impact-resistant (unlike horn combs) and slightly flexible.
Acetate combs can also absorb moisture to a small extent or — conversely — release it. This means acetate combs can also become slightly warped over time. However, this can be easily remedied by wrapping them in a damp cloth and leaving them for a few hours. (This method should preferably not be used for horn combs.)
Like horn, acetate is also biodegradable. However, this process takes significantly longer than with horn. In biologically active soils, it takes about 4-9 months (source: Wikipedia).
It should be noted that harsh cleaners can quickly destroy the combs. This applies to both alkaline substances and acids. Cleaning must therefore be done, as with horn combs, with a mild shampoo and running warm water (not hot (!) water, as the material deforms at high temperatures).
Our cellulose acetate combs are made like horn combs. They look like tortoiseshell and feel like horn. But — and this is a significant advantage over real horn — you can easily carry them in your pocket or accidentally drop them on the floor. They do not break so easily.
Dimensions:
Length: approx. 17.8cm
Height: approx. 34mm
Tooth spacing:
Coarse teeth spacing: approx. 2 mm
Fine teeth spacing: approx. 1.5mm
Weight: approx. 20 grams
Please allow us to provide an explanation regarding the price of these combs, which is sometimes perceived as high: The Italian cellulose acetate is about as expensive as genuine horn plates. There are much cheaper acetates, especially processed in China and India, and the combs made from them are naturally significantly cheaper, even if handmade. However, with "our" acetate, it is ensured that no additives (e.g., plasticizers or similar) are used. These are at least problematic in eyeglass frames (for which the material is otherwise used), as such glasses usually come into contact with the skin all day.
