BBKA Forum

British Beekeepers Association Official Forum 

  • Trying to get into bee keeping

  • Beginners forum, ask beekeeping related questions and get help from other experienced beekeepers. Please use the Search Feature please to avoid duplicated threads
Beginners forum, ask beekeeping related questions and get help from other experienced beekeepers. Please use the Search Feature please to avoid duplicated threads
 #1814  by AdamD
 31 Jan 2019, 19:15
There is a local Thornes stockist near me which can be very handy- but these are, to my knowledge, not advertised anywhere. Or are they? Does anyone know?
 #1816  by BuntyBees
 31 Jan 2019, 19:51
Not hat I’m aware of. I have only seen an advert to become a Thorne's distributor (£2000 first order), so maybe their office would be the best place to start?
 #1822  by Cable_Fairy
 01 Feb 2019, 11:50
Spike wrote:
31 Jan 2019, 20:00
There are loads of hive tools. Whats best?
Well I have two a Stainless "J" and a Stainless ordinary flat one, although I must admit I only use the "J".
 #1823  by NigelP
 01 Feb 2019, 12:22
Spike wrote:
31 Jan 2019, 20:00
There are loads of hive tools. Whats best?
The one that suits you. Not what somebody else tells you is the hive tool that suits them.
Two most popular the "ordinary" and "J" as cable Fairy has already posted. Try them both and see which you prefer.
 #1825  by Jim Norfolk
 01 Feb 2019, 12:40
I use both as they have slightly different functions. The J shape is better for lifting frames vertically. The traditional shape is better for prizing frames apart. However I suspect this is an area beekeepers will disagree on and there will be "correct" ways of using hive tools.
 #1826  by AdamD
 01 Feb 2019, 12:47
I use J tool or a 1" wood chisel if I can't find it!
 #1927  by MickBBKA
 14 Feb 2019, 01:34
I use a J tool for seperating and lifting frames. I find a good sharp pocket knife the best tool for seperating hive body's, crown boards and QE and its good for removing brace comb and propolis from frames.
 #1929  by Chrisbarlow
 14 Feb 2019, 15:59
I have the j hive tool, an extra long one from thornes which is good for scraping down the side of boxes and the America style, all three are quite good.