Sivas Bone Comb

Sivas Bone Comb is a traditional craft product made in Sivas Province using the horns of large and small livestock, with a history dating back to antiquity. Horns from animals such as bull, ox, buffalo, ram, and wild mountain goat are commonly used in its production. The color of the comb varies depending on the type of horn used. For instance, ox horn is typically black or white and may contain red, orange, brown, and purple veins, while buffalo horn is black and ram horn may be speckled or yellow. Different varieties of this comb are produced for both women and men. Historically, these combs were made entirely by hand, but today they are manufactured using machines and polish. Registered on 17.05.2023, the Sivas Bone Comb has established a geographical indication due to its significant role in the economy and traditional crafts of Sivas Province.

The Sivas Bone Comb possesses characteristics derived from the horns of large and small livestock used as its primary material. The color and pattern of the comb vary according to the type of horn used.

• Horns from bull, ox, buffalo, ram, and wild mountain goat are used in production.
• Ox horn may be black, white, or contain colored veins (red, orange, brown, purple). Buffalo horn is black, while ram horn may be speckled or yellow.
• Distinct varieties are produced for women and men. Women’s combs include double-sided classic, carved single-sided, single-sided bag-style, handled, and sparse-toothed rakes.
• Men’s combs include classic single-sided (fine and thick toothed), beard and mustache comb varieties.
• For decorative purposes, the natural structure of ram horn can be preserved and shaped into a comb tip.
• In the past, combs were polished using mud from the Kızılırmak River; today they are finished using machines and polish.

The production of the Sivas Bone Comb follows the same fundamental stages regardless of the type of horn used or the final comb variety. The production process for all combs except decorative ones is outlined below.

• Cleaning and Drying the Horn: The soft tissue inside the horn is removed by leaving it in a well-ventilated environment for 10 to 15 days during summer or by boiling it in water during winter. To prevent deformation, the cleaned horn is left to dry for approximately two years.
• Blanching: Dried horns are cut into appropriate sizes and shapes—suitable for either women’s or men’s combs—using large-wheel saws, starting from the pointed ends.
• Splitting: The blanched horn is longitudinally split using a small-wheel saw (splitting saw) to flatten it over a charcoal fire.
• Softening: Today, the horn is heated and softened continuously on a charcoal stove using clamps to rotate it evenly.
• Pressing: The softened horn is immediately pressed into a flat plate shape using a vise to prevent rapid hardening. After being left for 5 to 10 minutes, edges are refined using a small-wheel saw.
• Smoothing: The edges of the horn plate are smoothed using a small-wheel saw. Surface irregularities and burrs are removed with sandstone.
• Tooth Cutting: The depth for tooth grooves is marked on the plate. Tooth depth varies according to comb type, ranging from 12 mm to 50 mm. For example, women’s combs use 25–50 mm, men’s combs use 12–25 mm, and beard combs use 12 mm. The plate is carefully placed in a tooth-cutting machine; three crank turns are made for sparse teeth and one to two for dense teeth. A gap of 1–1.5 mm is maintained between each tooth during each crank movement.
• Secondary Smoothing: Burrs created during tooth cutting are removed using finer sandpaper.
• Planing and Polishing: Remaining surface imperfections are scraped off with a blade (planing), and the comb is given a glossy finish. The tips of the teeth are sharpened through polishing. Any residual imperfections after these steps are removed with zero-grit sandpaper.
• Polishing: The comb is polished with a cloth impregnated with polish until it is ready for sale.

All production stages of the Sivas Bone Comb must be carried out within the geographical boundaries of Sivas Province due to its historical significance and its esteemed status in the region’s traditional crafts. Oversight of the Sivas Bone Comb is conducted by a three-member monitoring body established under the coordination of the Sivas Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism. This body comprises one expert each from the Sivas Blacksmiths’ Guild and Artisans’ Chamber, the Sivas Public Education Center, and the Sivas Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism. Inspections are carried out at least once annually; additional inspections may be conducted at any time upon complaint or necessity.

During inspections, the following aspects are verified:

• Appropriateness of the horns used in production.
• Full compliance with the established production method.
• Correct use of the “Sivas Bone Comb” designation and the official emblem.

The monitoring body has the authority to procure expert personnel or services from public or private institutions as needed. The registering institution carries out all necessary legal procedures to protect the legal rights associated with the product.