Adding Weight to Tech Fat Handle

**Jslinger** · 01-17-2011, 02:15 PM

I have been using a fat handle gillette tech for a while now with great results. I just bought a ball end and found I loved the added weight, but don't like the skinny handle. I have heard of adding solder to the fat handle, but solder is pretty light. Does anyone have any suggestions to adding weight to the handle?

**cooncatbob** · 01-17-2011, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by Jslinger

I have been using a fat handle gillette tech for a while now with great results. I just bought a ball end and found I loved the added weight, but don't like the skinny handle. I have heard of adding solder to the fat handle, but solder is pretty light. Does anyone have any suggestions to adding weight to the handle?

Solder is made of mostly lead so it's actually pretty heavy.
Stuff 4 or 5 strips down the spindle and you'll probably double the weight.

**Jslinger** · 01-17-2011, 03:03 PM

I guess I'll give it a shot. Thanks

**dannymayo** · 01-17-2011, 04:07 PM

You can fill it with GOLD, GOLD, GOLD. Seriously thought, a little lead down the handle should add enough weight.

**instpasr** · 01-17-2011, 04:17 PM

Solder gets my nod.

**Batman** · 01-17-2011, 05:29 PM

Not to sound ignorant, but where would you get the solder and would it need to be melted down?

**instpasr** · 01-17-2011, 05:51 PM

Any of those big box hardware stores will have it, Mom & Pop stores will to. You should't have to melt it, just shove some of it down in the handle.

**Bit2** · 01-17-2011, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by Jslinger

I have been using a fat handle gillette tech for a while now with great results. I just bought a ball end and found I loved the added weight, but don't like the skinny handle. I have heard of adding solder to the fat handle, but solder is pretty light. Does anyone have any suggestions to adding weight to the handle?

Do what I did with my Fat Handled Tech, take the head off and put it on one of BRW's
handles like a Bull Mastiff, Fluted, or my favorite the Slim.
Cooncatbob is a master craftsman and could even make a handle to your specs.

JB

**binowatch** · 01-17-2011, 06:25 PM

lead fishing shot should fit down there also.

**BigFoot** · 01-17-2011, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by cooncatbob

Solder is made of mostly lead so it's actually pretty heavy.
Stuff 4 or 5 strips down the spindle and you'll probably double the weight.

Or a Bull Mastiff handle from Bob. I have one with the flared tip option on a New head. That is one awesome aggressive shave, and beautiful workmanship.

**mharris127** · 01-17-2011, 07:26 PM

You might buy some BBs made for a BB gun. Fill the hollow part of the handle (assuming they fit) to about a half-inch below the hole, squeeze a little automotive silicone down there, let set overnight and screw on your razor head. That would add some weight to it. However, if there is any chance you will want to remove the BB's, skip the automotive silicone part. Enough BB's to fill at least 20 handles is less than $10.

**spindlecone** · 01-17-2011, 07:39 PM

Go to a sport shop,buy a 5 lb bag of #8 lead shot,fill the handle,you have enough room to screw in a setscrew,done,do it to all my 3 pce razors,not rocket science.

**SilverKarn** · 01-18-2011, 01:43 AM

Originally Posted by mharris127

You might buy some BBs made for a BB gun. Fill the hollow part of the handle (assuming they fit) to about a half-inch below the hole, squeeze a little automotive silicone down there, let set overnight and screw on your razor head. That would add some weight to it. However, if there is any chance you will want to remove the BB's, skip the automotive silicone part. Enough BB's to fill at least 20 handles is less than $10.

If you use a little dab of regular silicone caulk it would seal the BBs in, and if you dont like it, the silicone is soft enough that you can easily get it out with an AWL or something.

**Drewser** · 01-18-2011, 09:33 AM

Just a word of caution with using solder- if you can, buy one without a flux or rosin core. The flux is pretty corrosive (acidic) which is why it works when heated- to clean (etch) off the oxidation on the wire/metal to be soldered together so the bond is good (as well as keep the hot metal from before the solder wets). Typically you need to carefully clean soldered parts (circuit boards and such) with a solvent and brush to clean them otherwise the residual flux will corrode the solder joints or nearby traces.

So, it's quite possible that small amounts of flux may corrode the inside of the handle

**shrubble** · 01-18-2011, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by Jslinger

I have been using a fat handle gillette tech for a while now with great results. I just bought a ball end and found I loved the added weight, but don't like the skinny handle. I have heard of adding solder to the fat handle, but solder is pretty light. Does anyone have any suggestions to adding weight to the handle?

Here's the stuff. It's a tungsten putty made for fly-fishing, and it has the heaviness.

Tungsten Putty

**Pike** · 01-18-2011, 10:18 AM

Funny you should mention this, I was just thinking of making a "replica" handle for my fatty tech...The handles are hollow, so I am going to make one the same size out of solid brass. I won't get to it til' friday or sat. I will post pics!

**Batman** · 01-19-2011, 06:40 AM

Originally Posted by mharris127

You might buy some BBs made for a BB gun. Fill the hollow part of the handle (assuming they fit) to about a half-inch below the hole, squeeze a little automotive silicone down there, let set overnight and screw on your razor head. That would add some weight to it. However, if there is any chance you will want to remove the BB's, skip the automotive silicone part. Enough BB's to fill at least 20 handles is less than $10.

Standard 4.5mm bb's are too big - i tried...

**shrubble** · 01-19-2011, 11:39 AM

I'm telling you guys, pick up some of that tungsten putty... it's 30% heavier than lead, it's made to be submerged and wet, it will shape to fill in every nook and cranny of the inside of the handle, and when you get tired of it you could just dig it out with a couple toothpicks.

You can order/buy it from any place with a stocked fly-fishing area (Bass Pro or Cabela's is prolly the cheapest, I know Orvis has it also).

**dannymayo** · 01-19-2011, 04:13 PM

Heavier than lead, solder, and waterproof, pure genius!

I'm going to take the lead shot out of my early tech handle and jam some tungsten putty down there.

Many thanks!

I'm into bass fishing and tungsten is taking over. Lead weights are becoming a thing of the past.

Originally Posted by shrubble

I'm telling you guys, pick up some of that tungsten putty... it's 30% heavier than lead, it's made to be submerged and wet, it will shape to fill in every nook and cranny of the inside of the handle, and when you get tired of it you could just dig it out with a couple toothpicks.

You can order/buy it from any place with a stocked fly-fishing area (Bass Pro or Cabela's is prolly the cheapest, I know Orvis has it also).