DRT Varial handle in White x Black, front view

DRT Varial Handle Guide: Sizes, Reel Fit, Knobs and Installation

October 13, 2026

The DRT Varial handle is a machined double handle for baitcasting reels. It's DRT's only line of reel handles, so when someone says "DRT handle," this is what they mean. DRT makes it in seven baitcast lengths from 79 mm to an adjustable 140–150 mm, plus a spinning version. The knobs are interchangeable, and each baitcast Varial mounts on a center nut matched to your reel.

The specs below come from DRT's own Varial pages.

DRT Varial handle in Electric Black, side view

What the Varial is

The Varial is machined from solid aluminum, with an A7075 main plate for strength at low weight and an aluminum-and-resin core in the knobs. It mounts on a center nut that uses the system of LIVRE, a Japanese custom reel handle maker, and DRT says that nut gives the handle an even 50:50 balance. You'll also see it listed as the Varial p.c.d., including on DRT's home page.

As a baitcaster handle upgrade, a Varial lets you choose three things: the leverage, the knob feel, and how much weight turns at the ends of the handle.

DRT Varial sizes

The use notes are DRT's own pairings for each length.

Size	Typical reel and use	Notes
79 mm	Finer, more delicate reeling with the same Varial grip	Short slim knob and Mk-2 wheel
87 mm	Swim jigs, weightless soft plastics and technical mid-depth retrieves like the yotamaki on a Tiny Klash	J-Knob Slim standard
95 mm	7-inch-class swimbaits on low-gear reels	The middle length of DRT's long handles
100 mm	Extra-high-gear reels (90 cm, about 35 in, or more per turn) working big baits	DRT says the length eases extra-high-gear cranking
110 mm	Slow-rolling swimbaits on low-gear reels	Developed at the request of American swimbait anglers. J-Knob Fat standard
117 mm	Giant baits on high-gear reels, magnum cranks, lipped big baits	Long power handle for a quick start
140–150 mm	The highest-resistance big baits and giant baits over 300 mm (about 12 in)	Adjustable length, extra-thick plate, Flat Knob and tungsten balancer. Takes its own center nut
SPIN 110	Spinning reels, steady retrieves at a constant speed	Baitcaster-like winding feel

DRT currently lists the standard models in Black, Silver and Gunmetal, with Navy on the 95, 100, 110 and 117. The 87 through 117 also come in a Mk-3 Ver. with DRT's Mk-3 knob, and the 87, 95 and 100 in a CALFORM Ver. with the lighter CALFORM knob.

What handle length changes

A longer handle is a longer lever. Going from an 87 to a 110 gives you about a quarter more leverage, so it takes less effort to keep turning against a bait that pulls hard. The trade is that your hand travels about a quarter farther each turn, so at the same hand speed the reel turns a little slower.

Long handles (100 to 117 mm) take less effort with big baits and high-gear reels and give a steadier cadence for slow-rolling. Short ones (79 and 87 mm) turn quicker and feel more direct, which is why DRT aims the 87 at swim jigs and technical retrieves.

Which reels the Varial fits

The center nut matches a Varial to your reel, which is why one handle can go on most reels. DRT's handle pages say you need one to install, and DRT sells it separately.

Shimano nut: Shimano baitcasters, except the 300 and 400 sizes.
Daiwa/Abu nut: Daiwa and Abu Garcia baitcasters, plus Shimano's 300 and 400-size baitcasters, which DRT says take this nut.
CENTER NUT B1: a second nut DRT lists for Daiwa. Some Daiwa models take it instead of the Daiwa/Abu nut.
140–150: uses its own center nut.

For exact fit, DRT points buyers to LIVRE's compatibility chart, so look up your reel there first. LIVRE also notes that the center nut sets right- or left-hand wind, so match it to your reel's handle side.

Knob options

Knobs swap without changing the handle. DRT's main knobs come in two families, each with its own wheel cap:

Slim and Fat (Wheel Cap "Dish"): the Slim is shaped to pinch with your fingertips, for swim jigs and mid-depth work, with enough power for a Tiny Klash. The Fat is for a full grip on high-resistance baits, like cranking a Klash 9.
J-Knob and Flat (Mk-1 wheel cap): the J-Knob Slim sits closer to the shaft for sensitivity and is standard on the 87. The textured, firmer J-Knob Fat is built for feel on fast big-bait retrieves and is standard on the 110. The Flat Knob gives your fingers a wide contact area.
EVA and CALFORM: EVA versions of the Slim, Fat, Slim-J and Fat-J are much lighter and trade some grip for sensitivity. The CALFORM knob pairs hollowed-out aluminum with EVA, and DRT puts it about 20 g lighter than its previous knob.

DRT says the Slim, Fat and Flat knobs use its Varial grip material, which grips better when wet. Most DRT knob packs hold two; the CALFORM is sold singly. We carry a selection of DRT Varial replacement knobs.

Weight and balance

DRT doesn't publish a gram weight for the Varial, so we won't guess. DRT does describe the Varial as built around inertia, weight and high grip, with knobs weighted so they don't feel too light. A heavier handle keeps turning once it's moving, which helps you hold a steady retrieve.

EVA and CALFORM knobs lighten the feel by taking weight off the ends of the handle, where weight has the most effect on how it spins. The 140–150 goes the other way, with a tungsten balancer you can reposition to tune knob balance and, DRT says, keep the clutch from re-engaging on the cast.

Limited colors and pre-orders

Limited and collaboration colors we carry:

Electric Black (95 and 100 mm): the Electric x DRT Varial, a limited collaboration handle, on pre-order.
White x Black (95 and 100 mm): the DRT Varial White x Black in 95 mm, or 100 mm with its stock white knobs swapped for new black EVA Fat knobs, plus a White x Black pre-order.
CrawlerBoys 2026 (87 mm): the Varial 87 CrawlerBoys limited edition, also on pre-order.

Pre-orders are paid up front to reserve your handle. It reaches us about 1–2 weeks after you order, and we ship it as soon as it lands. Buy now, pay later with Shop Pay. Rates from 0–36% APR. Payment options through Shop Pay Installments are subject to an eligibility check and are provided by these lending partners: affirm.com/lenders. Options depend on your purchase amount, and a down payment may be required. State notices to consumers: affirm.com/licenses.

DRT Varial handle in White x Black, side view

How to install a DRT Varial handle

LIVRE's advice for its center-nut handles holds here: if you can get the stock handle off, the rest is easy.

Get the right nut for your reel's brand, size and handle side, checked against LIVRE's chart.
Remove the stock handle. On most baitcasters, take out the small screw and lock plate over the handle nut, unthread the nut and lift the handle off. Keep the parts in case you go back to stock.
Fit the Varial and thread on the center nut. It tightens with a Torx-type tool in a LIVRE-specific shape that LIVRE says hardware stores don't sell, so have one first.
Check it. Spin the handle and run the star drag through its range. LIVRE says to add a washer only if the handle won't turn freely or touches the drag.

How to tell it's a genuine DRT Varial

DRT publishes the full lineup, so check the handle against it:

Length: 79, 87, 95, 100, 110, 117 or 140–150 mm, or the SPIN 110.
Build: a plate machined from solid A7075 aluminum, mounted on a LIVRE-system center nut.
Knobs: J-Knob Slims on a standard 87, J-Knob Fats on a standard 110, Flat Knobs on a 140–150, Mk-3 knobs on Mk-3 Ver. handles and CALFORM knobs on CALFORM Ver. handles. Owners swap knobs often, which is fine, but the seller should say so.
Color: standard colors are on DRT's site. Limited, collaboration and older colors may not be, so ask which release it is.

Ask for clear photos of the actual handle, nut and knobs, and buy from a seller who lists the length, version, color and nut type. If you want more detail on one of ours before you order, email us.

DRT Varial FAQ

What sizes does the DRT Varial come in?

DRT lists 79, 87, 95, 100, 110 and 117 mm, an adjustable 140–150 mm, and the SPIN 110 for spinning reels.

Does a Varial come with a center nut?

DRT sells the center nut separately, and its handle pages say you need one to install. Check whether your handle includes one and that it's the right type for your reel.

Will a Varial fit a Shimano 300 or 400-size reel?

Yes, with the Daiwa/Abu center nut. DRT notes that Shimano's 300 and 400-size baitcasters take that nut, not the Shimano one.

Which Varial length is best for swimbaits?

By DRT's pairings: the 95 for 7-inch-class swimbaits on low gear, the 100 for extra-high-gear reels, and the 110 for slow-rolling on low gear. For the yotamaki on a Tiny Klash, DRT points to the 87. Our Tiny Klash vs Klash 9 guide covers rods and reels for both baits.