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New English combs - wow they look lethal!

Today whilst attending my local groups spinning day and I received a message that my English combs had arrived at home.  Avoiding the worst of the torrential rain that was submerging the roads I dashed back home eager to try out my new toy.

When I unpacked it and slid out the combs from their cover I was amazed how much like torture devices they looked!  They also remind me of those huge toothed deep sea fish.  With a quick trip out again to the local DIY shop to buy claps I got it all set up and ready to go being very careful not to spike myself. 

As there were no instructions I thought I would look on YouTube to see if I could confirm my ideas of using them.  I thought they couldn't be much more different than using hand carders and a series of 4 videos confirmed as much and gave me the confidence to get on and try them.



Adding the fleece to the combs

I started with the least good sections of the white Leicester Longwool fleece bought at the Rare Breeds Show which I had washed in tepid water and Eco delicates washing liquid last week

I added the fleece to the combs - about a third of a comb full is plenty, especially with my first go.


Next I turned the fixed comb and secured it with the peg.

  The video said I had to strike though the moving comb in a circular motion to stop the hair curling under and getting tangled.  I did feel rather warrior like slashing trough the air with the huge spiky comb.  I started with catching just the ends to begin with and then got nearer the other stationary comb as I caught the fleece.  Next came the horizontal strike to return the fleece back onto the stationary comb. A couple more times later  it was time to draw the fleece off each of the combs.



This was split into 2 shorter pieces and piled up together.  This was then all put back on the combs and re-combed to make it nice and smooth.


This time the wool from each of the combs was drawn off using my lovely horn diz to make the roving even.



Having done the hand carding before and watch the videos it was amazingly easy to get a really good result from this wonderful tool.  In no time I had my first pieces of combed roving ready for spinning.  I was amazed how much I managed to draw off.  It ended up looking like my hubby's beard!

 It is a real pleasure to own these combs.  I'm so glad I bought them.  Just the rest of the fleeces I bought to do now!
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