Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => HONEYBEE REMOVAL => Topic started by: D Semple on May 14, 2012, 07:21:17 pm

Title: Skep Knife
Post by: D Semple on May 14, 2012, 07:21:17 pm
Anybody ever try a skep knife on removals? Looks like it would be the perfect tool for getting those first few hard to reach pieces of comb out on removals.

(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj72/DSemple/SkepKnife.jpg)

Thoughts, ideas?

Don
Title: Re: Skep Knife
Post by: AllenF on May 14, 2012, 07:34:04 pm
I don't think you can buy them right off the shelf around here in the states.  It would work in tight overhead combs, at least to get the cutting started.  Someone could make could make some for the retail market.
Title: Re: Skep Knife
Post by: jredburn on May 14, 2012, 08:34:32 pm
What is a "Skep Knife" and what does it look like. The  picture does not show much.
 I like to make things like that.
Joe
Title: Re: Skep Knife
Post by: AllenF on May 14, 2012, 08:44:19 pm
A hook style knife to cut the combs loose after you flip the skep over to collect your honey.    We do not use this style hive anymore.   
Title: Re: Skep Knife
Post by: duck on May 14, 2012, 11:37:05 pm
that is the master beekeeper in that video, he is the king... his son is has to smear hot steaming manure on the outsides of those skeps.  he is not the king.  youtube.
Title: Re: Skep Knife
Post by: divemaster1963 on May 15, 2012, 12:17:28 am
Quote from: jredburn on May 14, 2012, 08:34:32 pm
What is a "Skep Knife" and what does it look like. The  picture does not show much.
 I like to make things like that.
Joe

I made one. It is easy. take a shaft from a straight shaft trimmer. You can get one from the junk at your local small engine shop. they are stainless steel tube. heat about 4 inches of the end of a 14 inch peace and sqweeze it in a vise then reheat and hammer flat. not to flat and then edge it with a file and sharpen it on a stone then heat it again and bend the 90 one the last 2 inches then reheat and dip in oil and let cool in the oil then wash it and coat with wax, it works great.

john

I saw this vid also and had to have one of those tools.
Title: Re: Skep Knife
Post by: divemaster1963 on May 15, 2012, 11:18:13 pm
OK. here are some photos of the one I made. I made mine so I can work wide comb and get close to the wall of ceiling to get whole comb and less mess.

Enjoy.
(http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p558/divemaster1963/hook%20knife/100_3966.jpg)

(http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p558/divemaster1963/hook%20knife/100_3967.jpg)

(http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p558/divemaster1963/hook%20knife/100_3970.jpg)

(http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p558/divemaster1963/hook%20knife/100_3971.jpg)

(http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p558/divemaster1963/hook%20knife/100_3969.jpg)

(http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p558/divemaster1963/hook%20knife/100_3968.jpg)
Title: Re: Skep Knife
Post by: AllenF on May 16, 2012, 08:02:22 pm
Good looking pics.   
Title: Re: Skep Knife
Post by: D Semple on May 17, 2012, 11:03:10 pm
Got to have me those, will be making and trying them over this weekend. Thx
Title: Re: Skep Knife
Post by: D Coates on May 18, 2012, 10:22:39 am
Quote from: duck on May 14, 2012, 11:37:05 pm
that is the master beekeeper in that video, he is the king... his son is has to smear hot steaming manure on the outsides of those skeps.  he is not the king.  youtube.

Okay, now that's funny.
Title: Re: Skep Knife
Post by: divemaster1963 on May 18, 2012, 09:22:34 pm
Quote from: D Semple on May 17, 2012, 11:03:10 pm
Got to have me those, will be making and trying them over this weekend. Thx

I started a second thread. check it out called Handmade hand Hammered cutout tools. I made a couple different ones to use in different situations.

John
Title: Re: Skep Knife
Post by: Country Heart on May 19, 2012, 09:15:04 pm
Very nice, Divemaster!     :)