Monday--(sigh) again

Hints and direction pointing

What his company made was used from ancient times to the present day. The product was/is capable of being used by both sexes. The item can travel easily. His company's products are increasing in value but most people now use a substitute at a much lower cost. The product can be made of many substances.

Re: Hints and direction pointing

I'm gonna guess the fake dog poop or the classic dribble cup.

Tommy

Hints and direction pointing part II

What his company made requires hand/eye coordination in the using and the making. Many of the original makers of this product had to go through a lot to get the unfinished materials. Though appreciated as a finely crafted product in finished form, in the making of the product it could be pretty awful if you happened to be downwind.

This product seems to have universal discovery. Very early Japanese, African, Viking societies all made the product.

Hints: Last before answer

The product had versions long and short. Tall or barely visable. It could be one or two sided. Course or fine. Plain or very fancy. I'm reasonably safe in guessing that every home has at least two of the (modern version) of the item.

Re: Hints: Last before answer

Totally WAG here, but could you be referring to a hair comb?

And a terrific WAG it is!

Answer:

Dale got it right. A hand cut hair comb. Up until 1967 Harry Davis Company was one of the last makers of wood, ivory, bone, hoof, antler, horn, abalone, tortoise shell combs in the U.S. out of Philly, PA and Providence, RI. Bamboo was also used. These combs were not always combing combs but also tiara, mantilla, barette combs also. Handcut combs are highly prized in Japan even today. The Chinese still exercise the art see: http://www.chinacomb.com/eindex.htm

Source: Tools and Trade of America’s Past, Marilyn Arbor, Mercer museum,p56