BBKA Forum

So Mr organised loads up the car to go to the out apiary.................
Get's there - no hive tool How dumb is that.
Never mind - always keep a spare small hive tool in tool bucket especially for this contingency
Nope - not in bucket
What was there and just had to serve - was a pair of secateurs from last swarm collection. Not as good, definitely not as good.....

A blunt wood chisel is a decent alternative to a hive tool. (My chisels are ALL blunt by the way).

I've forgotten matches ... So I'm no better. If you light a piece of paper with the car cigarette lighter and get it to the smoker quickly, you can eventually get it going after a few attempts.

Having tried using a screwdriver and a penknife at a push, it just makes you appreciate how fit for purpose hive tools are. Apparently the best substitute for a hive tool is .... yet another hive tool! They are becoming like spare reading glasses around here.

I will also at some stage put that down too. And inevitably lose it.

I had to borrow my neighbours lad’s metal detector to find the last one I found it next to some of my marbles, which I seem to also be losing.

One day I'll find a huge boxful of odd socks,screwdrivers,tape measures......

It's when you arrive at an out out apiary and say..."where the Eff is my bee suit" that you really need to worry.....
You can buy the "J" type tools for about £4 each including postage from fleabay. I bought in 10 a few years ago ....and would you believe it haven't lost a single once since.....I always keep spare gloves/spare hive tools/spare smoker fuel and spare Snelgrove boards in truck. Boy are the boards getting an outing this season.

I have just about two of everything even three of some things. i always loose my hive tool i find it eventually most often a week later..(Garret ACE 300 metal detector ) ..what i do need is a second of is a refractometer one for the out apiary and one for the kitchen...

I have just about two of everything even three of some things. i always loose my hive tool i find it eventually most often a week later..(Garret ACE 300 metal detector ) ..what i do need is a second of is a refractometer one for the out apiary and one for the kitchen...

I always have strong magnets strategically placed in/on my bee suit/jacket and smoker - have never lost a hive tool yet - a little self discipline is required of course as well.