[Monty Brown]

I haven't owned one in years.

Does anyone know anything about the different types of brushes/combs?

Unless the hair is cut into a certain style, like a pompadour, isthere any reason for a white guy with short to medium length hair to buy one?

[OMYG]

Haven't used one since I was a child myself. I believe your hand is the best choice you shift the spaces between the fingers and that's what I do. Especially since I don't like thinly combed hair I prefer thick strand versus what the brush leaves which most of the time is fine and small strands.
For short and medium sized hair I say just use your hands.

[tarquin]

Buy a brush intended for dogs, if you must buy one at all. The ones with wooden handles are typically made better than one you'll buy at a drug store and can be cleaned easier. This is because dogs shed so much and the brushes must be made to reflect this. A black unbreakable comb can't hurt if you want to put it in your back pocket.

[B00G3r]

Short hair--get a boar bristle brush. Military style. It'll massage your scalp at the same time as untangling any knots.

Longer hair--get a normal brush with say 5 rows of bristles. I recommend the brand Denman.

If you want your hairdo super neat, then grab a comb that has a decent amount of space between each tooth. The combs with shorter teeth/less amount of space between each tooth is for combing out very short hair. Any plastic comb should do.

[BoiBoi]

My aunt is a professional hairdresser in a very upscale place and recommended me a wooden comb. Feels way better than anything plastic.

[DickDastardly]

delete

[Parlay44]

Depends on your hair type. My hair is pretty long, medium thickness and I just use a regular comb.
I keep it tied back most of the time to keep it out of my face. If you have really thick hair you should
use a brush. It's easier to get the knots out.

[Doctor]

Second on the kent. At least I think mine is a kent anyways.