Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

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.

We have a hot knife, and it works ok, but I have to say, Greg bought me a cold uncapping knife (http://www.betterbee.com/products.asp?dept=721) 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!

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. :)

I use a Cutco 9 inch serrated Bread knife, works like a charm for me.  :-D

I use an uncapping fork.  Quick and easy IMO.

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".  :)

Cold Knife seems to be in the lead at the moment, any more thoughs on this one.....

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.

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.

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

Quote from: Greywulff on October 23, 2008, 11:14:19 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

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

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

Quote from: KONASDAD 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.

Ditto

Sincerely,
Brendhan

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  :-\

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.

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.

Serrated bread knife.  If the comb has been used for brood at all, the hot knife just won't do much good.

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

Something I like about my hot knife.....
It smells really good when cutting the caps off!
your friend,
john

Cold knife & a carbide sharpener from the feedstore.  I have a 10" Radco cheap-o aluminum knife - works great!
Gena