If you’re not familiar with Merkur, here’s a little background on the company. They are part of a German company, Dovo, that has been around since 1906 and over time they have developed an extensive line of safety razors that vary in size, weight, design, aggressiveness and features. But there is one thing all of their razors have in common: they are top quality and highly regarded by their customers. Personally, I’ve used several Merkur safety razors since I started wet shaving and have never been disappointed.
Today we are going to review the Merkur 38C Long Handle Barber Pole Safety Razor. Like all the other Merkur safety razors we have reviewed, the 38c is manufactured in Germany and is first-rate when it comes to both design and performance.
The design of the 38C reminds me a lot of the Parker 99R, but there are a few differences. The biggest difference is that the Merkur 38C is moderately aggressive while the Parker 99R is one of the most aggressive razors on the market. So although their design looks very similar, they provide very different shaves. We will get into much more detail on this later though.
Pros
- Heavy with excellent weight distribution
- Long handle
- 2-piece design is very durable
- Moderately aggressive
- Excellent option for beginners
Cons
- Handle has grip but lacks knurling other Merkur safety razors have
- Size might be difficult for men with smaller hands to handle
Product Overview & Specs
- 2-piece safety razor
- Chrome-plated finish
- Closed comb
- 4 inches long
- Weighs roughly 4 ounces
Key Features of the 38C
Big Brother to the Merkur 34C?
I’ve seen some other reviews calling the Merkur 38C the “big brother” to the 34c. I just don’t see it. The designs are very different. Yes it is bigger and heavier than the 34c and they are both 2-piece razors and have similar aggressiveness, but the designs are very different.
The design of the 38C reminds me a lot of the Parker 99R. The Parker 99R is a butterfly open and significantly more aggressive, but the handle and size is really similar. They both have the “barber pole” handle that is about 4 inches long but the 38c is a little heavier.
Above Average in Weight and Size
The 38C HD is one of the bigger and heftier safety razors on the market. 2-piece designs typically do weigh a little more, and this one is no exception.
The frame is made from solid bass which is what gives it the mass, and it’s finished off with chrome-plating. I really like the weight of this razor, but I do prefer heavier razors. Heavier safety razors just make it easier to shave with good form. The balance point on the 38C is about an inch below the razorhead.
The size definitely is big and it was a little bit of an adjustment to go from a smaller safety razor to the 38C, but after a few shaves I figured out what the most comfortable positions are for me and haven’t had any issues since.
Decent Grip But Easy To Hold
The grip is decent but it’s not my favorite design. The “barber pole” design adds some texture so it’s not just a smooth, slick handle, but I definitely prefer the knurling that Merkur has on most of their other safety razors like the 23c and 33c. Those provide excellent grip.
But even though the grip isn’t anything special, I think it’s an easy razor to hold. The knob at the bottom gives a great resting place for your pinky. The size takes some getting used to, but it allows you to hold it in a variety of positions. You’re not limited to holding it one way. Additionally, you can always choke up on it if you think it’s too big.
Moderate Aggressiveness
The Merkur 38C is moderately aggressive, I rate it as a 4/10 on the aggressiveness scale which is perfect for most beginners.
A lot of beginner wet shavers make the mistake of getting a razor that is overly mild because they are intimidated and worried about getting too many nicks and cuts. And while you do need to use caution when making the switch to a safety razor, a moderately aggressive razor is going to actually deliver a smoother shave for a lot of men. Why? Because it will cut/shave your beard much easier and allow you to actually use good form and let the weight of the razor do all the work. When a razor is too mild and can’t easily shave your beard, you will revert back to bad form and use pressure. And that is exactly what you want to avoid when using a safety razor. So unless you have very fine hair or a thin beard, you probably shouldn’t be using a really mild razor.
So although jr might sound a little intimidating that the Merkur 38c is moderately aggressive, just know that it still provides a really smooth and comfortable shave. The closed comb, straight bar razorhead and minimal blade gap prevent it from getting too aggressive.
2-Piece Design Is Built to Last
Blade replacement might not be quite as easy as a butterfly open, but I prefer the 2-piece of the 38C because it makes it quite a bit more durable in my opinion. Hinges on the butterfly razorheads are usually first part to wear out, whereas the 2-piece design like the 38c really doesn’t have any weak spots. Take care of this safety razor by cleaning it consistently and don’t over-tighten the razorhead when replacing blades, and if you do those 2 things then the Merkur 38C will hold up for many, many years.
Who Do We Recommend The Merkur 38C For?
The Merkur 38C long handle barber pole safety razor is an excellent option for wet shavers that want a moderately aggressive razor that is pretty big and bulky. If you’re looking for a safety razor on the smaller side, this isn’t the right one for you.
Overall, the Merkur 38c is a really good safety razor. I do wish Merkur had used knurling on the handle instead of the barber pole design, but this is a great option for men that don’t like knurling. I forgot that knurling isn’t everyone else’s preference just because it’s what I like….
I don’t think you can go wrong with a Merkur safety razor, but what are some other good safety razors worth taking a look at?
What Are Some Other Safety Razors To Consider?
The Merkur 34C shaves very similarly to the 38C. It is moderately aggressive so it’s great for a wide range of wet shavers.
The biggest difference is that it has a shorter, thicker handle with knurling. It’s really easy to grip and shave with because the weight of the razorhead will allow it to just glide across your face with good form.
The 34c is also a 2-piece and is incredibly durable. This is one of my favorites for beginners to learn with.
The Edwin Jagger DE89 is one of the most popular safety razors on the market. It’s also moderately aggressive and provides a very comfortable shave.
It’s a 3-piece razor which is really easy to take apart and clean. The DE89 has one of the best chrome finishes of any razor and the grip is similar to the 38C so it could be better, but I’ve never had any trouble keeping a solid grip while using it.
Overall though, the DE89 is regarded as one of the best razors out there.
The Feather “Popular” is easily my favorite “budget” safety razor. Unlike most other budget razors that are very mild, the “Popular” delivers a moderately aggressive but still very smooth shave.
The “Popular” is definitely lighter than your average safety razor because the handle is made from plastic, but it still has a really good balance point and is easy to shave with. If you want to test drive a safety razor before investing in a more expensive one, this is my favorite.
Still not sure which safety razor you want to invest in buying? Then go read my comprehensive guide on the best safety razors available right now. It should have all the information you need to find the best safety razor for your needs in your budget.
