6 Best Angora Goat Mohair Combs For Homesteaders That Old-Timers Trust

You’ve just shorn your Angora goats, and now you’re looking at a pile of beautiful, greasy, lustrous mohair. The real work of transforming that raw fleece into something usable begins now, and the most critical tool for the job is a good set of combs. Choosing the right ones can mean the difference between a frustrating mess of broken fibers and a smooth, spinnable cloud of mohair top.

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Choosing Combs for Your Angora’s Unique Fleece

Mohair is not sheep’s wool. It’s a hair fiber—long, slippery, strong, and with very little crimp, which means standard wool carders will turn it into a tangled, static-filled disaster. Combing is the proper way to prepare it, as it aligns the fibers parallel, removes debris and short second cuts, and preserves the signature luster that makes mohair so prized.

The key features to consider in a comb are tine length, tine spacing, and the number of rows. Mohair’s long staple length demands longer tines than many wool combs offer. The spacing, or pitch, determines how well the comb handles different fiber finenesses—finer tines set closer together are needed for delicate kid mohair, while coarser adult fleece can handle a wider set. A single-row comb can work, but a double-row (double pitch) is often better for removing neps and vegetable matter.

Your choice should directly relate to the age of your goats. That first shearing of ultra-fine kid mohair requires a delicate touch from a comb with fine, sharp tines to avoid snapping the fibers. The coarser, stronger fleece from your mature does and wethers needs a sturdier tool that can handle the density and length without bending. Using the wrong comb is like using a garden rake to comb your hair; it’s ineffective at best and destructive at worst.

Howard Brush Mini Combs: Precision for Fine Kid Mohair

When you’re handling that first precious shearing from your kids, precision is everything. Howard Brush Mini Combs are a classic tool trusted by old-timers for this exact purpose. They are small, lightweight, and incredibly easy to maneuver, giving you maximum control over the delicate fibers.

Their real strength lies in the fine, polished, and closely-spaced tines. This setup allows you to gently open up the individual locks of kid mohair, teasing them apart without causing breakage. They excel at processing small, high-value batches where the goal is to preserve every bit of that buttery-soft quality. They are the perfect tool for the homesteader who wants to spin a truly special yarn from their youngest animals.

The obvious tradeoff is speed and volume. You would never want to process an entire adult fleece with these tiny combs; the task would feel endless. Think of them as a specialty tool, not a workhorse. They are for the homesteader who values quality over quantity and wants the absolute best preparation for their finest fiber.

Clemes & Clemes Wool Combs for Superior Mohair Prep

If you’re ready to invest in a serious, lifelong tool for processing adult mohair, Clemes & Clemes is the gold standard. These combs are built with an artisan’s attention to detail and a farmer’s understanding of hard work. They are an investment, but one that will pay dividends for decades.

The design focuses on both efficiency and ergonomics. The combs are beautifully balanced, which significantly reduces wrist and shoulder fatigue during the long, repetitive process of combing a whole fleece. The hardened, polished steel tines are set perfectly, allowing the slippery mohair to glide through and draft off smoothly into a perfect, airy top.

Clemes & Clemes offers various models, but their standard double-row wool combs are a versatile powerhouse for the homesteader. They have the heft and strength to tackle coarse adult mohair while still being precise enough for finer yearling fleeces. For the small farmer looking to produce consistently high-quality, spinnable fiber, these combs are often the ultimate goal.

Ashford Wool Combs: A Reliable Homesteader Favorite

Ashford has earned its place in barns and fiber studios by striking an excellent balance between quality, availability, and price. For many homesteaders, their combs are the first major step up into serious fiber preparation. They are workhorses that deliver consistent results without the boutique price tag.

Their double-row combs are sturdy and effective. The stainless steel tines are set in a comfortable hardwood handle, making them capable of handling an entire fleece over a few evenings of work. They do a fantastic job of removing vegetable matter, short cuts, and weak fibers, leaving you with a clean preparation ready for spinning.

While they may lack the refined, hand-polished feel of a premium brand like Clemes, they are undeniably reliable. This is the dependable pickup truck of mohair combs. It starts every time and gets the job done without complaint, making it a smart and practical choice for the budget-conscious homesteader who needs performance they can count on.

Louet Mini Combs for Small-Batch Mohair Processing

Louet’s mini combs occupy a similar niche to the Howard Brush combs but with a slightly more robust build. They are an excellent choice for homesteaders who process fiber in smaller batches or who enjoy blending different fibers. Their compact size makes them less intimidating than a full-size set and easy to store.

These combs are perfect for sampling a fleece. You can easily pull a few locks from different parts of an animal’s coat, comb them out, and see how the fiber will behave before committing to washing the entire thing. They are also ideal for creating unique blends, allowing you to comb a little mohair with some fine wool or alpaca for a custom spinning experience.

Because of their size, they aren’t designed for production work. But for the hobby spinner who keeps a few goats for their own enjoyment, these combs are often all that’s needed. They provide a gateway to proper fiber prep without the significant financial or physical commitment of a full-size English or Viking-style set.

Indigo Hound English Combs for Long, Lustrous Locks

English-style combing is a different technique altogether and one that is perfectly suited to the long, parallel fibers of mohair. With this system, one comb (the "pad") is mounted to a sturdy base, and the other is used to lash the fiber onto it and then comb it off. Indigo Hound makes some of the most respected and well-crafted English combs available today.

This method is incredibly efficient for creating a true worsted preparation. By combing the fiber from one comb to the other, you align every single strand perfectly, removing all tangles, short bits, and debris. The result is a continuous sliver of "top" that spins into a yarn with unparalleled sheen, drape, and strength—showcasing everything that makes mohair magnificent.

There is a steeper learning curve, and you need a dedicated, stable surface to work on. However, for the homesteader who is serious about producing yarn for sale or for creating heirloom-quality projects, the effort is well worth it. Mastering English combs elevates your fiber prep from a chore to a craft.

The Valkyrie Extra Fine Combs for Show-Quality Prep

For the fiber artist or homesteader who is an absolute perfectionist, Valkyrie combs represent the pinnacle of precision. These tools are engineered with incredibly tight tolerances, featuring razor-sharp, highly polished tines that move through fiber with minimal resistance. They are the choice for those preparing fleece for shows or for spinning world-class yarn.

The Extra Fine model is particularly well-suited for the very best kid and yearling mohair. It can separate gossamer-fine fibers with almost no breakage, preserving the integrity and luster of each lock. Using these combs is a slow, deliberate process, but the resulting preparation is flawless—a perfectly aligned cloud of fiber with a mirror-like sheen.

This level of quality comes at a premium price. Valkyrie combs are a significant investment and are not necessary for every homesteader. But if your goal is to produce the absolute best product possible from your animals, whether for competition or for high-end craft, these combs provide a level of refinement that other tools simply cannot match.

Maintaining Your Combs: Tine Care and Proper Storage

A good set of combs is a lifetime investment, and simple maintenance will ensure they last. The tines are the heart of the tool; they must be kept clean, straight, and protected from rust. Neglecting them is the fastest way to ruin your combs and your fiber.

After every combing session, use a diz or a small brush to remove any lingering fibers from the base of the tines. Once clean, wipe the tines with a soft cloth lightly dampened with a protective oil like camellia or simple sewing machine oil. This is especially important if you work in a humid environment like a barn or basement, as it prevents rust from forming on the polished steel.

Proper storage is the most critical step. Always, without exception, store your combs with their protective tine covers on. This protects the razor-sharp points from getting dulled or bent, and more importantly, it protects you and others from accidental injury. Keeping them in a dedicated box or on a high shelf ensures they are safe, sharp, and ready to go for the next shearing season.

Choosing the right set of combs transforms a task into a satisfying craft, turning a raw pile of fleece into a spinner’s dream. By matching the tool to your fiber, your goals, and your budget, you honor the incredible gift your Angora goats provide. This crucial first step in processing ensures that all your hard work in the pasture translates into beautiful, lustrous yarn.