Reference the photo submitted by Tommy T, I am not a cabinet maker, (so keep that in mind), but I have built several hundred bee boxes the past few years. To me the weak link in either of the designs, is the thin rail of the rabbit cut, (that portion that goes across the front and rear), which, in the new design, is unsupported except for the butt joint (and glue) on the inside of the the long side of the the bee box. I put a #4D nail in this thin piece, ( in my test box) but you will have to be careful in order to hit that small rail with the nail. Convential boxes over lap this long side with the thin cut of the rabbit joint. To me the greatest advantage of this new joint would be for those bee keepers who tend to break off that thin part of the rabbit, either in asembly or in those cases where they slide the hive tool in from the rear, as opposed to going a couple inches up the side (as you really should), and inserting the hive tool, and prying there to break the boxes apart. If you open from the rear, it is real easy to break (or compress, the top of that thin cut) as you pry down on that thin piece of the rabbit to break the boxes apart..
Here I think it would be a good idea for older bee keepers to help new bee keepers by advising them not to pry on that thin board. Go up the side a couple of inches, insert the hive tool and pry there. The design has been around for 150 years, and even without experience, bee keepers have survived, so we will just have to see how this new joint works out. As I said, I am going to make a few deeps, and shallows, and try them for a couple of years and see how they perform in relation to the older design.
I do agree with Kelly, with the number of nails, staples, and glue, strenth should not be a major issue. I have not talked to Kelly, but keep in mind that for every one commercial bee keeper, who knows the ends and outs of equipment and supplies, Kelly probably sells supplies to a 100 bee keepers who are less experienced. They are always looking for a way to help the average or less than average bee keeper (who make up the largest population of bee keepers), as well as those more experienced. They are good people, and if anyone has a problem, I believe they will work with them to make it right.
If I can ever help you or anyone else, feel free to contact me at
cchoganjr@scrtc.com and I will do my best to help.
cchoganjr