Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => EQUIPMENT USAGE, EXPERIMENTATION, HIVE PLANS, CONSTRUCTION TIPS AND TOOLS => Topic started by: BeeHopper on September 27, 2008, 06:05:34 pm
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Just finished uncapping my medium frames of honey by using both an electric uncapping knife (fixed temp) and a 9 inch Cutco Serrated Bread Knife to study which tool worked better for me. Last year I bought the electric knife ( $85.) to uncap my 2nd year honey crop. There were things about it that I did not like, such as the weight of the knife, the handle was not comfortable in my hand as it was quite painful ( 20 years of whitewater kayaking did not help the joints either ) and the way it melted the comb ( yes it's suppose to do that) but it just created a bigger mess and just took too long to cut through a frame of honey. Even though it was my first honey crop and a happy experience, my hands and wrists were not.
So this year, another Beek from my Bee Club heard my complaints about uncapping knives, the awkwardness of them, the price, etc. He went on to tell me that he went through the same experience until another Beek told him about using a " Serrated Bread Knife ". how much better it worked for him and that it will be the same for me. A few weeks later, I found a used Cutco knife for $40. and guess what folks, he was RIGHT, what a difference it was. And BTW, I've learned that Cutco will sharpen your knife for free for as long as you or anyone else owns the knife ( you pay for shipping) Bye-Bye Electric knife :-D
Please do yourself a favor, before you go buy that expensive equipment, try a very good quality bread knife that is serrated and please be careful. You may change your mind too. The Bread Knife won hands down and my hands and wrists were pain free. :-D
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How much for the Hot knife?
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Ditto!! Why don't you acution it off to the high bidder here. LOL
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I use a fillet knife, and a long thin plain blade steak knife.
Hot water rotation.
doak
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How much for the Hot knife?
Since you are asking, check your Personal Messages ;)
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BeeHopper check your personal messages for an answer.
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Geesh! So much for listening to the advice. The vultures are just interested in the "goods" ;)
Anybody out there prefer the serrated knife to their electric plane? I call first dibs.... :-D
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Geesh! So much for listening to the advice. The vultures are just interested in the "goods" ;)
Anybody out there prefer the serrated knife to their electric plane? I call first dibs.... :-D
:-D If and when I have 20 Medium supers full of Honey ( 200 Frames ), heck even 10 Supers, then I'll ditch the knife and buy an uncapping plane as long as it is not too cumbersome for me to hold, but for now I'm quite happy with the serrated knife and another Beek will be happy later this week as well for having a like new electric one.
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Advice, Advice we all get plenty of it and can take it or leave it.
This time chose to leave it and go with what works for me. Have had good luck with the electric knife I've owned for over 20 years and enjoy working with it. Have no problems working with one and don't have any desire to change now.
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I agree w/ Beehop. I have a brand new electric knife used once, but prefer the serrated bread knife. Evry year there are at least 5 electric knives up for auction at the Statewide auction. Maybe if i had more frames to extract an elctric might be worth the trouble.
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This may help:
Dandant's Serrated Uncapping Knife: $21.95. Weight 3.0 pounds.
http://publishing.yudu.com/Freedom/Ajvdm/DadantBeekeepingSupp/resources/59.htm
Regards,
Ernie
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Hey Doak,
are you talking about an electric filleting knife or a regular type?
your friend,
john
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If and if I accept 20 Medium supers abounding of Honey ( 200 Frames ), heck even 10 Supers, again I'll canal the knife and buy an uncapping even as continued as it is not too bulky for me to hold, but for now I'm absolutely blessed with the denticulate knife and addition Beek will be blessed after this anniversary as able-bodied for accepting a like new electric one.
_________________
:-D
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Anyone have any idea what kira09 is rambling on about/
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Nope
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NO IDEA;
But it was his/her first post. Just think more to come !!
Bee-Bop
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Here is a pic. of the knives I use;
The center long one with the large homemade handle is my favroite, just wipe it off on the aluminum cross piece every once in a while.
Bee-Bop
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Thats the funniest post i think Ive ever seen!
Kira, tell us where you live. Also, write up your post again...I'm guessing you might need some help with your English,(which we will be glad to help you through! :)
good luck!
your friend,
john
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i have seen people who have english as a first language, write some pretty undecipherable posts on here. give kira a break, and kira pay them no mind. please do go to your profile and put your location info. that will help a lot.
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I had American electrict knife 35 years. I may switch the temperature, but I may say that I used too hot knife. It gave a burned wax aroma to the capping honey.
Then I had to bye a new one. It was too cool to me and I byed a new one and it was the same. So, I have now two knife which work and do not give extra aroma to the honey. Those two work.
Last year I used viable knife which was too hot and I spoiled my first 100 kg honey.
One way to spoil honey is to use "hot air blower". Many use it but it gives awfull aroma to the honey.
Is the electrict knife expencive - no if you can use it 35 years.
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Geesh! So much for listening to the advice. The vultures are just interested in the "goods" ;)
Anybody out there prefer the serrated knife to their electric plane? I call first dibs.... :-D
Robo,
How does that plane work on those frames that are very uneven with high and low sots? It seems as though they would be a real hassle on those frames.
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I suffered with an electic uncapping knife for a few years prior to opting for a fork of my mother inlaws. The light suddenly went on and I bought an uncapping fork which is about 3 to 4 inches wide and if scaped along the capped comb, it uncaps the comb quite effectively. Spinning in the extractor is no problem ... Who la
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I too tried a number of different knives, electric and serrated and ended up finally snatching a fork off the table. The fork works great but leaves a bit more wax in the extractor. That how ever is no problem as I set the extractor outdoors on it's side with the bottom slightly elevated so the wax and little bit of honey drain toward the front. The bees clean it up real good in a few days and the left over cappings are so dry I can blow them out with a hose.
I look over the great cleaning job I did and store the extractor for next year. No fuss no muss. X:X
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I too tried a number of different knives, electric and serrated and ended up finally snatching a fork off the table. The fork works great but leaves a bit more wax in the extractor. That how ever is no problem as I set the extractor outdoors on it's side with the bottom slightly elevated so the wax and little bit of honey drain toward the front. The bees clean it up real good in a few days and the left over cappings are so dry I can blow them out with a hose.
I look over the great cleaning job I did and store the extractor for next year. No fuss no muss. X:X
So, at last what is the best method that you suggest ? is it Electric Uncapping Knife or. Cutco Serrated Bread Knife ?