Merkur 34C v. 38C

[bokaba]

How do the standard HD and Barber Pole versions compare? Is the shave different?

[Marco]

I have both and love using both.
The two razors share the same head design and give very similar results, in my opinion.
The 38c "Barber Pole" is heavier and with a longer handle compared to the 34c HD, but, that said, both razors perform equally well and deliver excellent shaves.
It is really up to you on which one to pick up.

[OCDshaver]

I know that this is strange to say, but I think that the 38c shaves better than the 34c. This is the case for me despite the fact that the head is the same....and it's not the different handle length or weight....the 38c just gives a better shave...for me, at least.

[Drubbing]

IME, I just couldn't get on with the barber pole after using the HD, just too heavy and unbalanced for me.

I use 3 fingers to hold my razor, and a barber is just too much weight to wield.

The 34 looks way too small at first, and the barber is the sort of size you expect from a DE razor, but I just found it unusable.

[demaro]

I have a 38c. I love using it. It gives great shaves . I would like to get a 34hd someday. I believe the heads are the same.