Capping knife or plane?

[kyfarmer]

Kelley's has a capping plane that says it can be set for any depth. What do you guys recomend for a small guy like me, a knife or a plane?

[Pete0]

I've never used one and I'm happy with an uncapping fork. Probably uncapped maybe 60+ frames this year. One of our club members son bought an uncapping plane and the concensus was it was too much money spent for their operation. The knife and/or fork are just as efficient for the amount of uncapping needing to be done. Maybe you'll get some feedback by someone who uses one.

Good luck,

Pete0
Bena, VA

[Jeffzhear]

I've never had an uncapping plane, but I do have a few uncapping electric knives that I really like. Some of my friends have planes and like them. Maybe you can borrow one of each from a beekeep in one of your local clubs and try them out and pick what you like better.

[beehoppers]

Just bought a plane and love it. Seems to go twice as fast.

[notaclue]

I've never had an uncapping plane, but I do have a few uncapping electric knives that I really like. Some of my friends have planes and like them. Maybe you can borrow one of each from a beekeep in one of your local clubs and try them out and pick what you like better.

Where did you get them and what models are they? I currently use a serated bread/meat knife and a pastry stabbing kind of thing with sharp points for what I missed.

[Swobee]

My vote is for the plane. Easier on wrists, faster, less wax debris (for me anyway), depth setting makes an even smooth cut, etc.

[Jeffzhear]

Where did you get them and what models are they? I currently use a serated bread/meat knife and a pastry stabbing kind of thing with sharp points for what I missed.

Notaclue, I bought one here on beesource a year or so ago, and the other from Dadant in Waverly NY. One is called the Speed King Knife and the other Master Knife. One has a thermostat that you can set the other knife is not adjustable. I have an old catalog in front of me and there is a buck difference in price.

I forget the actual manufacturing companies name. Maybe someone else here has it off the top of their head. If not, I'll look it up after I get home.

In any event, Dadant carries it and I imagine the other beekeeping supply places do also. Oh, and I have seen them from time to time on Ebay, but I would be leary of problems with them there.

[Swobee]

Maxant makes planes. There was another company I found doing some research once upon a time, but it slipped my mind. I keep lousy records of some things found during searches.