Large Turkish Beekeeping Hive Tool: The Beekeeper's Right Hand

I have 5 hive tools and always reach for the Large Turkish Hive Tool first.

I seen a review of this company tools on YouTube. So I ordered a couple of Turkish hive tools for my friend from Turkey and a couple for me. The tools are good quality metal. I think they will last a long time. I’m looking forward to trying them out this spring.

I have gotten used to the ridge that I had complained abut earlier and this is now my favorite hive tool and it is rare that I grab a different tool to use.

It is also now caked with propolis and wax from so much use and If it still had any specs of rust on it, they would be impossible to see.

The photo still doesn't match what the actual tool looks like as of 7/27/20. It has a bump out on one side of the scraper end like the typical J-hook tool, but the bump out kinda looks like a medieval weapon of some kind because it flares out towards the tips. It is very handy for prying frames apart, but I'd maybe still prefer that it was flat if I had one thing that I'd still change.

Note: As of 3/29/20, the photo shown for this large turkish hive tool is the same photo as the small turkish hive tool and does not accurately portray what the tool actually looks like.

The notches of the large turkish hive tool work perfectly for lifting up frames. The notches seem to provide more surface area against adjacent frames, and it does less damage to the frames the the j-hook style lifters that don't have the notches. The large turkish hive tool performs just as well in this respect as the small turkish hive tool.

The bump out at the scraper end on the larger turkish hive tool is great for leveraging the frames apart between top bars to break the propolis before switching to the hook end to lift them up.

This tool is a little to big in my opinion told hold it in my hand while inspecting the frames. I prefer the mini J-hook and the small turkish hive tool in the respect that they are easy to hold while manipulating the frames in your hands to search for queen/eggs/etc. and they aren't long enough that a part sticks out and gets in your way.

But the size didn't stop me from choosing this tool over the 5-6 others that I have at my hives for the last 3-4 hive inspections that I have done. It really does perform well.

The steel used is magnetic, so I am able to use a magnet to hold it in place on the side of my hive stands which keeps it convenient for use.

What I don't like is the ridge that runs down the middle of the handle as the sides of the handle are folded a few degrees in one direction presumable to add strength or maybe a better ergonomic grip. I would prefer that the tool was just flat.

It also appears that the steel used is either a very low grade stainless or the finish contaminated the surface with some carbon steel during the manufacturing. Parts of the tool are showing some rust after sitting outside for about two weeks. It does not appear to be a deep rust, but rather a a surface rust that just has a bad look to it.