My HD is my favorite safety razor, but I keep looking at the stunning good looks of the 38c. From what I read, it has the same head as all the fixed head merkur razors, and that sounds great. How about the long handle though? Is it long enough to be obnoxious?
I had the 12C version (Open Comb) and loved the weight and handle. It is around the same length as the Long Handled Merkurs. I would have kept it if the performance was up to par with my Fat Boy.. and if I were not moving into straights. Honestly it was a very nice razor.. the weight and length being SUPER pluses in my book.
Sparky, I've had the same concern about the extra length of the 38C since I also love my HD. However, I have all the other fixed head Merkurs, so I guess I need to add this one to the collection. I shave exclusively with Merkur razors. I've tried Super Speeds, Fat Boys, Slims, Wilkinsons, Schick Injectors, Techs and many others...I always go back to the Merkurs. They just seem to work for me. My favorites are the HD, 1904 and Classic.
Bobby, my favorite razor is my TESC Chatsworth. It's handle is about 4 3/8" long! Same head as the HD. According to Classicshaving, the 38C handle is only 3 3/4". The Slant and HD have identical 3" handles. The SS (also 3") seems like a toy!! I love the extra length and weight! Plus, I can use it when pounding meat in the kitchen!
The 38C, one of my favorite razors. I like the feel of it and the weight and longer handle give me good control. It felt really strange at first but now I pick it up without a thought. It grows on ya.
I've got a 38C and really like it, the weight and longer handle are a nice change from my slant and other DE's...works great when I'm pressed for time
Sorry, Ron, I don't have one or I'd go weigh it for ya. I have those three plus the slant - which I photo'd, but didn't weigh.