hive tools

chux · September 09, 2015, 10:09:41 AM

While I am working the hives, there are only two places I will ever allow myself to put my hive tool. It is either in my hand, or on the lid of the hive next to where I am working. When I enter or leave the yard, it is in my chest pocket. It just "feels" wrong to put it anywhere else. I haven't lost one yet, but it's only been 3 years. The other week, I did find a friends hive tool sitting on the stand beside one of my hives. He put it down during an inspection, and it grew feet and walked on him.

Eugene Willson · September 09, 2015, 11:38:11 AM

HI all,
I put down some cheap green indoor outdoor carpet, no mowing and tools are easy to find.
Gene

chux · September 09, 2015, 03:18:21 PM

I haven't lost a tool yet, but...I have forgotten to zip my veil when I flipped it over my head, a few times. Try moving a hive a night, with your veil unzipped. The girls walked right up and in, and I had a good time. Things that make ya dance.

Michael Bush · September 09, 2015, 03:37:13 PM

I try to always have it in my back pocket. But then I'm about to get heat stroke and feeling dizzy and get into the minivan to leave and it pokes me... Since I have the hooked Italian one, it doesn't poke a hole in my seat anymore... but still...

Eric Bosworth · September 10, 2015, 08:01:13 AM

Quote from: Michael Bush on September 09, 2015, 03:37:13 PM
I try to always have it in my back pocket. But then I'm about to get heat stroke and feeling dizzy and get into the minivan to leave and it pokes me... Since I have the hooked Italian one, it doesn't poke a hole in my seat anymore... but still...

I don't know about the heat stroke but I can't stand things in my back pocket.

mikecva · September 10, 2015, 12:57:18 PM

My friend Billy use to carry his hive tool in his back pocket. He did this until he cut a big gash in has truck seat. He then attached pockets to his jacket sleeves and clams that is the best place for him as he can always feel the tool's weight. -Mike

Hi-Tech · September 10, 2015, 03:31:11 PM

I couldn't find mine the other day as I was going to work my hives. Everything else was right where I left it except the hive tool. The wife had grabbed it to use as a paint scraper on the front porch...

biggraham610 · September 10, 2015, 05:23:16 PM

Quote from: Hi-Tech on September 10, 2015, 03:31:11 PM
I couldn't find mine the other day as I was going to work my hives. Everything else was right where I left it except the hive tool. The wife had grabbed it to use as a paint scraper on the front porch...

Look on the bright side, at least she was scraping paint!

Hi-Tech · September 11, 2015, 12:16:22 PM

Better her than me

Eric Bosworth · September 13, 2015, 04:59:17 PM

When I was a kid we used my father's hive tools for everything. It's a wonder he could ever find one. He did have quite a few as I recall and he was just as guilty of using it for things not even remotely related to bees.

rober · September 29, 2015, 06:38:12 PM

I bought a couple of the same hive tools that m. bush posted the link for & a couple of these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/161679901971?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
I put used carpet down around the hives in my out-yard & covered it with sawdust so it would look a little better to take care of weeds. I also leave 2 hive tools on top of the hives in each yard now. no more walks back to the truck or house to grab forgotten tools & no holes in truck seats. I also leave a hive tool in my shed with stored hive boxes so it's handy when I'm pulling boxes to use in the yard. before doing this I tried keeping tools in the ruler pocket on carpenter pants. I was always misplacing them around the house or truck or forgetting to bring them to the hives.
I'm still missing at least 2 tools somewhere in my storage shed or workshop.