What is a weed trimmer? Can you show or describe the tool you are thinking of?

If it is a gas or electric trimmer no, You need the handle to help control it, they are a little awkward and dangerous even with a handle. You should wear steel toed boots & safety goggles when operating.

It's an EGO cordless weed wacker (some call it a weed trimmer sorry for the confusion). I think you can one like it at Home Depot. I was wondering if I could just hold onto the shaft or if I needed to purchase (I assume you can buy parts for it) a handle/grip. Also, definitely agree about wearing proper shoes, long sleeve shirts and safety glasses although I see a lot of people who don't.

1. Find out if parts are available before committing to the purchase. You may be able to operate this without that handle but it may be very difficult to maintain the proper angle.

2. Good, sturdy shoes (steel toed are not necessary) are needed. I have seen people using string trimmers while wearing flip flops, shudder.

https://egopowerplus.com/products/15-inch-string-trimmer

I won one of these "HEFT" handle tools on another garden site. DH borrowed a weed trimmer that did not have a handle & he said it worked well. Interestingly, the HOUZZ link was the first when I did a search for a link to paste here:

https://www.houzz.com/products/the-heft-the-worlds-best-secondary-handle-prvw-vr~61565858

It's been too hot for me to do anything with it yet...

Thanks to all for the great advice. kimmq - Absolutely agree with wearing protective clothing. No open toe shoes, long sleeve shirts (light weight in summertime) and protective googles is ideal, especially the no open toe shoes since that's where the action is.

Tiffany - great to hear of your positive experience w/out needing a handle. I have done a very small test run and it seems to work well, but it's great to hear from others who have gone that route for a whole project. Sorry to hear about the heat putting a damper on activity. Hopefully fall will be here before too long.

Thanks Tiffany for the additional comment.

Happy to try to straighten out my confusing comments. Best luck!