The 5 Best Tools for Interlocking

Interlocking is a great technique for starting and maintaining your locs, especially if you have fine hair or an active lifestyle. However, it is quite common to hear opposition to interlocking for reasons of thinning locs, lumps in locs, and/or breakage. While these issues do occur with locs, the cause is not due to interlocking but rather incorrect technique and the wrong tools for interlocking. The proper tools for interlocking are sized appropriately for your locs and do not snag the hair, which can lead to thinning.

5 Tools for Interlocking

There are 5 tools that can safely be used for interlocking— one of which is NOT a latch hook. You should never use a latch hook for interlocking because the sharp design of the hook and clasp will snag the hairs at the base and cause thinning overtime. Instead, the tool you use for you interlocking should be gentle on the hair and effective at controlling surrounding hair during maintenance.

Crochet Hook

A crochet hook is the cheapest tool that can be used for interlocking locs, but it also requires the most dexterity to effectively use it.

Crochet Hook

Pros:

• Cheap
• Comes in various sizes
• Will not rip hair

Cons:

• Hard to hold
• Not designed for locs
• Can potentally snag hair

Nappylocs Tool

The nappylocs tool by Nappy N Happy is specially designed for interlocking locs and works well on locs of all sizes. However, because the locs need to be individually threaded through the tool for use, interlocking maintenance can take longer to complete.

Nappylocs Tool

• Designed for locs
• Will not snag hair
• Various sizes

Cons:

• Bends easily, requiring reshaping</
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• Time consuming maintenance
• Easy to lose

RELATED ARTICLE: Switching Between Palm-Rolling & Interlocking

Interlocking Ring

The interlocking ring is a nice combination of the easy to hold latch hook handle and the conceptual design of the nappylocs tool. The interlocking ring works well for larger locs with lots of nu growth.

Interlocking Ring

Pros:

• Durable
• Comfortable to hold
• Does not snag the hair

Cons:

• Limited sizing

Sisterlocks Tool

The Sisterlocks™ tool is only available to trained Sisterlocks™ Consultants and people with Sisterlocks™ that have taken the self-retightening course, which makes this the most expensive tool for interlocking. But this is also one of the most efficient tools for maintaining micro to small locs.

Sisterlocks Tool for Retightening

• Does not snag hair
• Designed for interlocking
• Comfortable to use

Cons:

• Expensive
• Limited availability

Dual Interlocking tool

The dual interlocking tool essentially combines the tools for interlocking microlocs and large locs into one which makes it the most cost-effective and efficient tool for interlocking locs of all sizes.

Dual Interlocking Tool

• Works for all sizes of locs
• Will not damage hair
• Designed for interlocking

Cons:

• Takes practice to hold/use

Using the proper tools for interlocking will not only save you time, but also help to ensure your locs remain healthy. For more information and training on interlocking techniques for locs, enroll in the Interlocking Fundamentals™ workshop via Digital Loctician Academy.

What tool do you use for interlocking?
Share Your Experience in the Comments!