Hi All. Sorry to ask a question that I’m sure has come before, but I wanted to ask the board about any tricks they may have on combing out the underhair on Elk or Deer. I am tying up some Madam X flies and was struggling a little when getting the hair ready for stacking. I like the Madam X as real simple tie to get into handling this type of hair. First effort wasn’t too bad, (I’ll let the fish be the judge about that!) but suggestions appreciated!
Thanks,
You can buy combs made especially for cleaning out clumps of hair but I just use a regular combs fine side and it works just fine for me.
I just use a cheap plastic comb. Static electricity will cause the fuzz to stick to it, which is a nuisance, but I just wipe it off with an old laundry drier sheet. There are “special” bone combs which alleviate this problem, but I don’t think it’s worth the extra cost. Your call.
Regards,
Scott
If you can find a textile mill which is still operating, they use some sort of really fine comb in the process. Friends got a stash of them and fabricate “combs” from them.
Flea comb from the pet store. They have them in several tooth spacings.
Moustache combs work pretty well too.
wasatch makes a good comb, it serves the purpose and looks good too
A toothbrush works for me.
Avoid the rotating electric models, though. 
Before stacking, grasp the very tips of the cut hairs between thumb and index finger, purse your lips and blow hard into the base of the hairs (Sometimes a little ‘rolling’ action of the tips will aid the process).
Pinch the cut ends in your other hand and you will have nearly all of the “fines” and underfur ready to remove from the tip end. Just pull them through and dispose or save for a dubbing.
I’m with Scott…
Cheap plastic comb…works great and I like the ‘longer’ teeth over the moustache and ‘made for the fly tying market’ combs (I’m usually spinning deer hair for bass bugs, don’t want to comb it in little batches…).
Besdies, did I mention they are cheap…you can get five or six of them at the dollar store for…a dollar!
Buddy
Hi Bob,
I too use a simple method that does not involve a comb. After cutting off a small clump from the hide, I grasp the tips with thumb and finger, then grab the cut end with the other thumb and finger and after a bit of rolling the hair lightly back and forth pull out most of the underfur with the off hand. Works great. I also brush the hair back and forth a bit with a bodkin to get most of what is left.
Regards,
Gandolf
Gorodo makes it sound harder than is actually is but as Lauren Bacall said in the classic movie ‘To Have or To Have Have Not’…
All you need to do is to put your lips together and blow
I also use an old toothbrush, I cut the bristles down to about 1/2 the original length. Hold the tips of hair tightly in your fingertips and brush out the base. For my travel kit I use an eyebrow brush 'cause it’s smaller.
Thanks to everyone for your replies. It was appreciated for sure. I have a real nice 'Stash comb that I think will fit the bill perfectly. Wish I had thought of it myself!
And Buddy, you will be pleased, I paid nothing for it! Hows about that for cheap!!
Again, Thanks!