The Care & Maintenance Of Your Most Useful Tool

摘要

When was the last time you sharpened your hive tool? Have you ever sharpened it? Some beekeepers prefer using a dull hive tool because it is safer. If you only use a hive tool for prying bee boxes apart and loosening and lifting frames, then a dull tool is safer. If you spend a lot of time scraping propolis and wax off frames and cleaning frame rest rabbets, you should at least try a sharp tool.In Cub Scouts, we learned that a sharp blade, used properly, is safer than a dull blade. After 50 years, Istill believe that. A sharp hive tool cuts through wax and propolis in light and easy strokes. A dull tool requires brute force. It may skip out of the cut and unexpectedly skid over the surface. A dull tool will cut into flesh as easily as a sharp toolwhen it slips.