Is the contour handle strong? Can I hold the contour handle instead of using the retractable handle?
381225
Yes. I really pack my bag and have to use the handles sometimes while using stairs. The handles have held up for over 2 years. No issues. This is a great bag.
381226
I use the contour handle all the time to carry my bag. The handle fits well in my hand, it is, however, just a little too short to put over my shoulder.
1620426
The handle is made of a very hard, thick and substantial plastic substance. I am not concerned about it breaking. It's great and the gear mechanism makes easy to squeeze.
1700294
Not at all. Very easy to handle and my wife can remove the lid with one arm without trouble. You will love it.
54889
Yep. Note: Be careful picking this unit up to move it. The handle is really not deep enough for your fingers and it falls from your hand easily. I just dropped mine this morning. Use two hands or make sure you have a good grip.
1440661
I have very little muscle strength over my entire body so to reach from the side and go back and forth would be almost impossible for me. As is putting the paper on the tool and wiping from the front is hard also because I cannot get far enough back underneath me. If the handle was longer it then may work for me also the release button was hard for me. I saw on line a similar unit with a extension to make the handle longer. To put this in perspective I am not overweight I am 5'7" and 165 lbs. Again my disease is a deterioration of ALL my skeletal muscle. I hope this helps you. Carl
866292
There is no retractable handle. It has padded straps for use as a backpack and a small handle on top for lifting.
657414
Yes. It wouldn't be so bad if the handle was a bit thicker for gripping. It seemed unbalanced to me and kind of heavy for every day carry or hiking. Go with the blackbird, ease, or becker
2106507
It's not a deal breaker for me. I ordered a Kuhn Rikon Cool Gripper from Amazon for $12 [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003B671DY/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&ps;c=1] and use that more often than the handle it came with. Have had this set for almost a year now and am still using it and still love it.
455023
I've never had the blade retract on me when using it regardless of how hard I push. It's nice and solid. I love it.
1982351
No, sorry I hit yes on accident.. thought it was "yes I would answer". Been using mine daily ever since I got it and have had no issues with the handle what so ever. In fact mine is still rather stiff and does not fall down.
726438
Yes you can. But it can be a little hard to get it detach at first. For me it was holding the vacuum just right in order to detach the handle.
2224135
That one is not as good. Handle burned. Based on the picture it looks like the flimsy one we got. We bought a different one. Metal handle. It works well. But to answer your question, no, to don't have to do anything special to it. You can just use it out of the box.
1019871
No, My handle does not jiggle. I haven't actually used it yet; its for my travel trailer, but I did go pick it up and it seems very sturdy...;-)
1073959
Answer here..I have been using mine quite regularly and my handle does not need to be constantly tightened. You might want to try a drop or two of glue to hold it securely.
2171143
Yup. You do have to hold it. It's kind of a trigger built into the handle, so it's not too inconvenient. I would imagine you could easily fashion a velcro strip to keep it squeezed if that was important ... or, of course ... duck tape!
656690
The clip is very strong but at the same time I'm using a inverted step when traveling. So the short answer is I would not use it on a retractable step if you hit a pig bump it may pop out.
1019867
Yes, the handle does jiggle slightly. It doesn't interfere with using it, though.