things change [SEP] i have used this size and brand of curling iron for many many years i usually keep a spare on hand just in case the new one i received is well new it gets really really hot quite fast i burned my hands several times slow learner the barrel seems smaller than inch and my hair gets curlier but this may be due to the hot factor the teeth are shorter but i have relatively short hair so no problem using this curling iron on longer hair may be difficult the rows of teeth tend to slide off the barrel luckily i have been able to retrieve them off the floor before the dog does so far the one change from the older model is the sequential switch off low high instead of low off high i will continue to buy this curling iron but i would consider other brands if available