What tool is primarily used to comb and part the hair?

The tail comb is primarily designed for combing and parting hair due to its fine teeth and long, pointed tail. The pointed tail allows for precision when creating sections of hair, making it an essential tool in styling and preparing hair for various techniques, such as cutting, coloring, or setting. The fine teeth help to smooth out tangles and create clean parts, which is crucial for achieving professional-looking hairstyles. This versatility makes tail combs a staple in both salon and personal hairstyling routines.

On the other hand, while a rake comb has broader teeth suitable for detangling, it lacks the precision for parting. Paint brushes are typically used for application in coloring rather than combing or parting hair, and round brushes are primarily designed for blow-drying and volumizing hair, not for sectioning or parting. Thus, the tail comb stands out as the most appropriate tool for the specific task of combing and parting hair.