Sandalwood comb and incense tools

A comb and the tools around it

The sandalwood comb is a small wooden object with a long history in Chinese daily life: smooth, light and gently scented, it is used on dry hair or simply carried and given as a gift. Beside it sit the tools of the incense table: a spoon for lifting powder, tongs for pills and charcoal, a holder for sticks and a burner. This line brings both together because they are bought by the same people - gift shops, tea rooms, lifestyle brands and jewelry stores that already sell incense beads - and because they share a wood supply and a packaging style.

Material sheet

Unlike the bead lines, a comb is solid timber rather than dough, so the sheet below describes materials rather than a blend. The percentages show material share by weight and are confirmed in writing for each lot.

The sandalwood is Santalum album. Sandalwood is not a CITES species, but it is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN, India restricts exports of its timber, and the legal mainstream supply is Australian plantation wood. For that reason origin is stated per lot, and the trade term "Laoshan" is only used when it matches the actual source. See the sandalwood guide for background.

Comb sizes and tooth spacing

Combs are usually 10 to 16 cm long, 3 to 6 cm wide at the back and 5 to 10 mm thick. Tooth spacing is the main functional choice.

Teeth are cut and polished by hand, and the ends are rounded so the comb does not catch. Spacing is typical and is confirmed on the sample. Backs can be plain, carved or engraved with a logo.

The tools

• Spoon. Wood or brass, about 12-15 cm, for lifting powder.
• Tongs. Brass or stainless steel, about 12-18 cm, for pills and charcoal.
• Holder. Ceramic or wood, with an ash catcher for sticks.
• Burner. Ceramic or brass, with or without a lid, sized for pills or cones.
• Storage box. Wood or cloth-covered board, fitted to the set.

Ceramic and metal items are declared by material, and glaze limits for lead and cadmium follow the target market. The pill-and-stick contents that go with the tools are in the stick and pill gift box.

How the comb is made

Partner workshops start from seasoned sandalwood billets, dried until the moisture is stable, because wood that is still wet will crack in a dry room. The billet is sawn into blanks, the outline is cut, and the teeth are sawn one at a time with a fine blade and then smoothed with files and abrasive cord. The comb is sanded in several grits, rubbed with wax or plant oil and left to rest before packing. Sawdust and offcuts are collected and can be reused as chips for sachet fill, which is one reason the line sits well beside the bracelet and sachet set. Because every comb is shaped and finished by hand, tooth spacing and grain differ slightly from piece to piece; that variation is normal and is shown on the sample.

Packaging

A comb is packed in a cloth bag or paper sleeve, inside a small box with an insert. A tool set uses a rigid box with a fitted tray. Add an instruction card and a care note: wipe with a dry cloth, keep away from water and heat, and re-oil lightly once or twice a year. Options for boxes, printed sleeves and hang tags are covered under packaging and gift boxes.

Customization

Common customizations include laser or hand engraving of a logo on the comb back, custom tooth spacing, a shaped handle, brass tool colors and printed boxes. Quantities of about 100-300 combs per design are typical for stock models, and engraved designs need a sample round. Details on OEM and private label.

Inspection and ordering

Lots are checked for dimensions, tooth finish and spacing, wood grain and cracks, smoothness of edges, finish quality, scent, tool fit and box assembly. Origin documentation is attached per lot. See testing and inspection. Send quantities and designs through the quote form; ranges are confirmed in writing for each program.