Combing transforms loose fibres into sliver tops by aligning them and removing vegetable matter and short fibres using fine combs. As the fibres pass over a drum equipped with parallel combs—much like combing hair—the shorter fibres are retained on the drum’s pins and brushed off, while the longer fibres remain. Impurities fall from the sliver and are collected beneath the comb, while the short fibres, known as noils, are gathered for use in other textile processes, such as felting. The result is high-quality sliver tops.
We offer commission combing for all natural fibres, using machinery capable of combing fibres ranging from 15 microns to 40 microns in diameter, and lengths from 35mm to 105mm. Our specialties include wool, mohair, and cashmere.