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Un-Capping tool Preference

Cold Knife
Hot Knife
Hot Plane
Uncapping Fork
Other

Author Topic: Un-Capping tool Preference  (Read 5515 times)

Greywulff

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Un-Capping tool Preference
« on: October 22, 2008, 05:16:01 pm »
Having used an uncapping fork for 3 hives It can take a while.

What the general view on the most favoured un-capping tool on the market.

Fork

Heated Knife

Etc.

Offline reinbeau

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Re: Un-Capping tool Preference
« Reply #1 on: October 22, 2008, 06:27:52 pm »
We have a hot knife, and it works ok, but I have to say, Greg bought me a cold uncapping knife from Betterbee and I have to say, it's wonderful to work with.  The tip is very sharp and good to get into those places where they don't build it out enough.  I had the hot knife going but ended up just using the cold.  I also have the uncapping fork, I don't like the crumbles of wax it makes as it is when I have to use it on edges, I really wouldn't like all of the crumbles from a full frame!

Offline NasalSponge

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Re: Un-Capping tool Preference
« Reply #2 on: October 22, 2008, 07:13:46 pm »
I always used a bread knife but was JUST looking at the cold Betterbee knife not 30 minutes ago. Looks like the way to go for me. :)

Offline BeeHopper

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Re: Un-Capping tool Preference
« Reply #3 on: October 22, 2008, 07:23:16 pm »
I use a Cutco 9 inch serrated Bread knife, works like a charm for me.  :-D

Offline bassman1977

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Re: Un-Capping tool Preference
« Reply #4 on: October 23, 2008, 09:08:56 am »
I use an uncapping fork.  Quick and easy IMO.
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Offline BjornBee

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Re: Un-Capping tool Preference
« Reply #5 on: October 23, 2008, 09:31:51 am »
I have a uncapping plane, to which I admit is the easiest and fastest of the hand held uncapping options. But I don't really ever use it.

I do not like the damage that the forks or cold knifes create. But maybe thats just my lack of patience on the matter.

But I generally use the hot knife. The low spots which I miss are called "bee feed".  :)
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Greywulff

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Re: Un-Capping tool Preference
« Reply #6 on: October 23, 2008, 10:12:44 am »
Cold Knife seems to be in the lead at the moment, any more thoughs on this one.....

Offline Robo

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Re: Un-Capping tool Preference
« Reply #7 on: October 23, 2008, 10:15:41 am »
Hot knife here.   Perhaps if you keep the cold knife clean and sharp it works well,  but I don't like the damage done by the fork or non-sharp cold knife.
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Offline KONASDAD

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Re: Un-Capping tool Preference
« Reply #8 on: October 23, 2008, 11:04:24 am »
Large serrtaed bread knife by far. i use a cutco 12 inch . My hot knife sits unused after two uses. I also see loads of hot knives for auction evry year at our club auction. this means people dont prefer them IMO.
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Greywulff

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Re: Un-Capping tool Preference
« Reply #9 on: October 23, 2008, 11:14:19 am »
Can Robo or someone set up a poll on this as I am unsure how to....

Bread Knife is in the lead  :-D :-D :-D

Offline Robo

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Re: Un-Capping tool Preference
« Reply #10 on: October 23, 2008, 11:43:44 am »
Can Robo or someone set up a poll on this as I am unsure how to....


Use the "add poll"  at the bottom right of the thread
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Offline BMAC

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Re: Un-Capping tool Preference
« Reply #11 on: October 23, 2008, 12:01:55 pm »
I have used both hot and cold knife and now have a DADANT chain uncapper.

I prefer the chain uncapper.

With that said I will be posting the hot and cold knife on the trading post soon
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Greywulff

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Re: Un-Capping tool Preference
« Reply #12 on: October 23, 2008, 12:03:55 pm »
Thanks Robo,

Please feel free to enter your vote.

Sorry its late coming in the post. Ive I've entered what I've used to date.

Thanks in advance for you're preference's.....  :-D 8-) :-D

Offline Understudy

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Re: Un-Capping tool Preference
« Reply #13 on: October 26, 2008, 11:38:47 pm »
Large serrtaed bread knife by far. i use a cutco 12 inch . My hot knife sits unused after two uses. I also see loads of hot knives for auction evry year at our club auction. this means people dont prefer them IMO.

Ditto

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Offline TwT

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Re: Un-Capping tool Preference
« Reply #14 on: October 26, 2008, 11:48:21 pm »
some kinda Japanese bread knife, Ginsu I think is what I have always used, about to look for a uncapper though, getting to be to many supers, takes to long to uncap 20 frames before extractor is done, it is always waiting on me  :-\
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Offline paulh

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Re: Un-Capping tool Preference
« Reply #15 on: October 27, 2008, 01:59:32 am »
With this being my first year, I've only uncapped ~15 frames, so take my opinion with that in mind.

I used a heated plane and after a small learning curve, found it fast and easy, though I have nothing to compare it to.  It appears to be the most expensive option, other than chain uncapper;b but I suppose, as with anything else, you get what you pay for.


Offline Michael Bush

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Re: Un-Capping tool Preference
« Reply #16 on: October 27, 2008, 07:26:17 am »
After two full days of uncapping with a hot knife my wrist is shot and takes a long time to recover.  I'm thinking of trying a plane sometime soon.
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Offline Scadsobees

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Re: Un-Capping tool Preference
« Reply #17 on: October 27, 2008, 01:43:12 pm »
Serrated bread knife.  If the comb has been used for brood at all, the hot knife just won't do much good.
Rick

Greywulff

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Re: Un-Capping tool Preference
« Reply #18 on: October 27, 2008, 05:45:19 pm »
You can make up your own mind from topics like this I want to thank you all for replying and anyone who hasn't please do.

Nice info...

Thanks

Offline johnnybigfish

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Re: Un-Capping tool Preference
« Reply #19 on: October 27, 2008, 09:34:52 pm »
Something I like about my hot knife.....
 It smells really good when cutting the caps off!
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