Must-have grooming tools for long-haired cats?

My new cat is a Persian/PersianX- I've never had a cat before with that kind of long, fluffy fur.  .  For those with long-haired cats, what types of brushes, combs, anything else would you reccomend for getting out knots and keeping kitty's fur looking its best?

We just use a comb on our Persian mix.  It's kind of a semi-fine toothed comb.  That has been the only grooming tool I've used on him and it works great to pull out the loose hair.  I use it almost flat against his body so that it's really grabbing hair as I comb.  Pay more attention to the areas behind his ears, around his neck, and in his "armpits".  That is where we see the most mats develop.

I am madly in love with the Furminator. You can also get the less expensive brand (which I have) called the FurGOPet, which I found at Walmart and I believe other major retailers sell them. I use it on my long hair once a week (sometimes when I'm lazy, every two). Then I have a grooming brush that has thin metal looking bristles on one side (which she loves) and plastic thicker bristles on the other side for "finishing".

Look on YouTube for peoples videos with Furminator. It is amazing. The first time I used mine I swear, it was a whole nother cat I got off of her.

I've been hearing about the Furiminator for years now.  I've never gotten one, though.  Partly I am discouraged by the price, and partly I'm confused about them.  Some people say they are not good with long-haired cats.  Others say they especially use them with their long-haired cats.

I have two long-haired cats (and four short haired) and they all love, love, love for me to groom them.  I use the Zoom Groom to get off loose hair.  They seem to think it is a massage.  I also use these little "kitten" slicker brushes (softer than most) that Petsmarts sells for $2.99.  And I use this expensive pro groom comb made by Chris Christensen (buy on line from his web site) that my cat groomer told me to get. This comb is metal and goes through the hair with no tugging - "a butter comb."  I use them all.  They all do different things.  The comb is really the thing that keeps my one long-haired cat, Harlow, with the thick, heavy coat, from getting mats.  The Zoom Groom and the kitten brush remove excess hair.

Robin

Thanks guys!! I picked up a comb thanks to the reccomendations! Luckily I have the other stuff besides the fulminator. Never got one because it's so pricey, but I'm going to look for that furGOpet!

Here is the link for Walmart in case you are on the hunt: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Fur-GO-Pet-Cat-Deshedder-Purple/14978789

What I find is best is a metal comb made for long haired cats. Daily combing is a must. behind the ears neck and under the arm pit areas and the  back legs..I bought the Furminator and for some reason both of my persians HATE it.They will let me use anything on them to brush but let me try the Furminator and the run will and will not let me use it. Odd why they are so scared of it.

I use a Bamboo brand comb, it has metal tines, but they are round and spin freely in the comb, so they tend not to pull as much.

I also use the furGOpet, and everybody here loves the ZoomGroom.

Seam rippers are very handy to have around double coated longhairs to help separate any mats you may find.