Yep. Most blade manufacturers make their blades with a hollow space in the handle which makes the blade lighter but more head heavy. Der opens the handle up and fills the hollow space, he has added anywhere from 10-30 grams that way.
I have tested several of these where I got a before and after. So I knew what the blade felt like without the extra weight in the handle. And I felt it after. The blade invariably feels more solid. But, more interesting, it also feels lighter and you get more whipping action with the extra weight in the handle.
Sent from the Subterranean Workshop by Telepathy
here is what Carl is talking about
i removed my handles from 2 blades.
1 . stiga 11 ply
2 . yasaka extra special - 7 ply - clipper clone with hard walnut outer - my current most fav blade
the yasaka extra special weighs in at 93 grams.. plays flexy and powerful and with control - some how all check marks on what i want on a blade. it blocks well due to the weight, it has high throw due to the flex, it has dwell due to the flex, and it has power due to weight and 7 ply.. plus it has this high pitch cracking sound due to the hard walnut outers.. - it is a dream !
the perfect playing weight of a high level player in my club area vary. the loopers / hitters seem to like 94-97 grams
the defenders that are very good in my club seem to light much lighter blades 78-80 grams
for me i have to have a blade in the 90 or higher. over all playing weight must be some where between 195 - 199 grams..
when you put rubbers on blades and load up the layers of glue, the racket becomes more flexible, and with that extra flex for me comes more control on hits and blocks.
like upsidedowncarl says, all makes some how hollow out the inners of the handle to get the weight down..