I got that one that you linked to Dadant. Didn't buy their model but it's similar. The problem I have found is that it grips from underneath the top bar which tears and rips through comb, usually capped honey comb on brood frames. Wish I would have bought the other.

 

Dadant also sells another frame gripper that is yellow and has a hive tool at the end of the handle. I use mine all the time. I still prefer to use my economy hive tool as the blade is thinner than the one that is apart of the handle of the frame gripper. But there are times when I have used the hive tool on the gripper. It has pointy teeth that really lock into the top of the wood frame itself and it is secure.

I really love it. If I had to give the manufacturer a pointer, I would ask them to make the blade a bit thinner.

 

I prefer the third basic style: My bare fingers.

 

This is the way I do it as well, but I'm getting sick of propolis all over my fingers. Takes a couple days to get it off. Soap and water doesn't seem to work right away. I may be trying one of these frame grips as well.

 

I have this one and like it: https://products.kelleybees.com/wtkprod/detail.aspx?item=60

I also have had some bees earlier in the year that would have encouraged all but the toughest knuckled souls to put on some gloves.

 

I've decided I need to get a frame grip, and noticed there are 2 basic styles.

I, too, just went through this. I actually wanted (and still want) the aluminum type, but wound up getting the steel type since everyone was out of stock on the aluminum grip. I actually think this steel grip is a better grip in several ways. The aluminum grip has large pads to grip the frame so it is less likely to damage the wood. The flip side is that those large pads are MUCH more likely to crush bees. The steel type with it's narrow grips doesn't smash bees at all. I also have not noticed that it damages the wood much at all. An additional benefit is the small tooth at the end of each grip. This hooks around the frame and prevents you from dropping the frame unless you forget and relax your hand open. I have been pleasantly surprised at how stong and not flimsy this grip is.

One DISADVANTAGE of the steel grip is that being flat steel, the edge quickly becomes tiring on the hand. You squeeze it extra hard to make sure you don't do something stupid like drop a full frame of brood and bees (dropped bees = angry bees = BAAAAD :doh. The thin steel creates a thin pressure line on your hand that quickly becomes tiring. See the image and you'll get what I'm talking about. This problem could quickly be fixed by padding the handles, though. Also, as NewBeeNnc says, the tooth at the end of the grip can tear open comb. I only have this problem, though, with fat comb that sticks out beyond the frame.

Note: If you want this steel grip at a STEAL of a price, pick it up from GloryBee Foods. They sell beekeeping stuff along with their honey and honey processing business. Their prices are rock bottom. I got the steel grip for $3.75 vs $10 or more from most of the bee supply houses. This is what you get for $3.75 as well. Take a look at what else they sell. Hive tools for $2.25 vs $6.00. A 10" smoker for $18 vs $39. It adds up. The stuff is good quality as well.

 

just a note...the steel one does not like the lawn mower. However the other one, seems to hide just enough to miss the blades

 

I should add, the lawn mower does not like the steel blade...niether does the husband

 

I suffer from carpal tunnel, I also have foundationless hives so wanted something that would make inspecting both sides of the frame a little easier while keeping the frame vertical. I purchased the steel one as the teeth actually dig into the frame and I thought this would be easier for me to keep hold of. The cast one looked like I would probably end up dropping frames.

I used it once and went back to just using my hands. It is now sitting by the hives in the bee yard just in case I need it, but I doubt I will ever use it that much.
What I would like to see is a frame grip that locks onto the frame so that you are not relying on hand pressure to keep it closed, should be easy enough to design. Maybe I will look into modifying mine.

 

Perhaps a pair of them clamped to the end bars so you can turn the frames like corn-on-the-cob.

I think I will still prefer the versatility of bare hands - I find I can easily position the frame in any orientation I desire, with relative ease without the limitations of a mechanical contraption.

 

I hardly use my frame grips but when I do, I use the cast aluminum kind. Things I like:

- Definitely easier when the bees are cranky
- Much easier to wiggle a frame out of a spot when propolis has been liberally applied by the bees
- Far less hand movement when rotating and examining the frame

Things I don't like:

- Some plastic frames have thin top bars and the frame grip has to be nearly closed before it holds the frame at all. I don't like plastic but occasionally end up buying a nuc that was drawn on plastic
- It takes more effort to hold the grips closed while you're looking at things. I have arthritis and after a while, it just plain hurts to squeeze the grip closed all the time. Maybe it should lock closed!
- It's too easy to slip and drop a whole frame. I've dropped or nearly dropped more frames using a grip than just my hands....bare or gloved.

It's that last reason that I seldom use grips anymore. They go to the hives with me but pretty much stay in the box. I know I'll find them useful now and again but, like a lot of bee equipment, they looked more useful than they turned out to be.
-

 

I have the cast aluminum one offered from Kelley's and used it bunches, primarly to pull the first frame while using a hive tool with the other hand, the first frame is always the hardest for me to get a grip.
Used it bunches until I got myself a hive tool with the hook on the end.
https://www.dadant.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22_29&products_id=55
Now the grips just sits in the bottom of the tool box I carry out to the hives when I'm working the hives.

 

I can't say I actually use one often, but I definitely prefer the case aluminum handle.

 

The wife & I bought a spring loaded one. We never use it.
Its easier too use you're hands.

 

I prefer the third basic style: My bare fingers.

Amen~

 

Cast aluminum is far better. I have a couple, somewhere...

 

Being a CommBeek, I & my coworkers never work without gloves. At the very least they provide protection from the black widows that nest in the handholds. With how few people we have to work so many colonies, speed is king. Killing a few bees during inspection is made up in a few min. by the queen.

If you only inspect frames when you think there is a good reason to do so, very few bees will perish as a result. You will also minimize the risk of accidentally killing the queen. I & my co-CommBeeks have all done that.

My point is that using a frame grip may encourage excessive frame manipulation. This kills bees and puts the queen in greater danger. Handle the frame by the ears. This minimizes bee squish, is quick, and protects the queen as she normally won't be there.

OK, I just made up the term CommBeek as a shorthand term for Commercial Beekeeper. Take it or leave it. I also realize that there is a huge range of opinion in every aspect of beekeeping. I'm just giving mine for your review.

 

I bought the cast aluminum type. It broke on the first use. It was probably a flaw in the casting (it broke with very little force). I haven't bothered to replace it - the hands work just fine.

 

This is the one I use and I highly recommend it.

http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/Pry-and-Grip-Tool/productinfo/217/

I have the cast aluminium one that is in your link but I find it awkward and bulky, maybe for guys with bigger hands its okay but I like the other one better.
It doesn't require much pressure to keep a grip on the frame, it has the pry on the end of the handle which I use alot, I can break bridge comb and pry apart the bars and then pick up the frame without changing the position of the tool in my hand.
There are times when frames are hard to get out with your fingers for whatever reason.
Thats when I use it the most, then I don't have to deal with picking up a hive tool and breaking things apart and then pulling frames, I use the same tool for all of it.
Its just a matter of convenience, some people like to use their bare hands, and I do sometimes myself but others like to use grips at times.
It doesn't hurt to get one and experiment with it if you are already toying with the idea of owning one, even if you don't use it all the time its good to have one in the tool box for a time you may really need it.

 

I have one, used it a couple of times, then wished I had my money back.

If you use the hive tool that has a hook on the end and use leverage to pry the frame up, it is fairly easy to grab the frame with your hands and lift it out.

I think hanging onto a frame midair with a frame grip depends too much on hand pressure as opposed to holding it with your fingers which depends more on gravity and balance. If your hand gets tired or for some reason relaxes its grip....ouch.

 

I use (occasionally) the one linked to Brushy Mountain. I would use it a lot more if I could figure out how to add a "lock", like on Vise-Grip pliers....lock it on the frame and forget about squeezing.:scratch:

 

Strong wiener tongs. Very handy for loosening and removing the frames at the ends, then using hive tool and hands for the rest once you have room to maneuver.

 

I carry two with me where ever I go, a left hand style and a right hand style. They even go to the bathroom. I got them almost thirty years ago. I use them for everything except for that time a few months ago I ran a broken drill bit all the way through one. I had to bandage it up and it was to sore to use for a while. A couple of years earlier I burned all the skin off the top side of the other grip, I also had to stop using that one for a while. Otherwise I have been very happy with the usability of my frame grips. The really neat thing is if I manage to bend of break one the wrong way they will fix themselves after a few weeks.

 

Now that I'm through being a smart ass, a lot of the gadgets that you see will look so neat and easy when you are getting started. Sooner or later once the novelty has worn off, you find that you will seldom ever need more than a hive tool. As a matter of fact, that is the only thing I have ever bought more than one of. I keep em everywhere. It is the only thing I really ever use. the only other tool I feel naked without is my bee vac, I do a lot of cutouts in houses etc, so I use it alot.

 

Howdy,
I bought the cast aluminum model (they don't crush too many bees if you nudge them out of the way as you grip the frame), what I found was that it gave me a good bit of comfort initially which was very helpful at that time. It let me get in the hive and manipulate the frames to get a feel for what the bees were about without too much fear.
I was able to remove a layer of protection after each visit or so, gloves, then grip, then tight buttoned sleeves. I still wear the veil but bare hands are so much more comfortable now.
I am very happy I bought the frame grips, even though I only used them 3 times, and I will keep them incase they prove handy again.
JA