BeeKeepClub Resources and Guides for Beekeepers
If you purchase an independently reviewed item through our site, we earn an affiliate commission. Read our affiliate disclosure.
Honey uncapping knives come in handy when it comes to honey extraction. Technological advancement has had a heavy influence in all areas of the global economy including beekeeping. In the olden days, honeybee combs were literally destroyed so as to extract the honey. This method worked, but it certainly was a destructive way of handling the honey combs. We should bear in that mind that for bees, their main work involves building the honey combs and filling these storage compartments with honey. Therefore, any destruction to the combs means extra work for the bees. The combs are the most valuable beekeeping resources. With technology, honey can now be extracted through highly efficient processes which include the use of centrifugal force. With using any of the best honey uncapping knives as we’ll explain in this article, you can be able to prevent any damage to the honey combs.
What is Honey Uncapping?
Uncapping is a process that involves the removal of wax capping from the honey combs. An automatic uncapper is usually used in large commercial operations. This has a turn-around of up to 600 frames per hour which is ideally perfect for such a huge enterprise. However, small beekeeping operations are unable to invest in such expensive technology. The hand-held electric uncapper or the plain honey uncapping knife will suffice for small beekeeping operations.
No matter the technology you use, wax capping should be removed so as to facilitate honey harvesting from the combs. Uncapping makes it possible for the bees to reuse the same cells instead of building new ones. The energy that would have been used for building new combs will now be used for refilling the empty combs.
Honey uncapping knives are an essential implement when it comes to honey harvesting. As stated earlier, you can choose the automatic uncapper, electric knife, or the manual knife that does not use electricity. Electric uncapping knives are the most efficient, but they tend to be quite pricey when compared to the regular ones. However, they are both effective solutions for uncapping and therefore you should stick to what you can afford. Those who are just getting started can start out with a cheaper option, then move to an expensive choice later on. The manual uncapping knife works well even when cold but it is important to dip it in hot water if you want to quicken the uncapping process. You can also use two knives at a go so that they can be switched in hot water when one gets cold.
Overview of the Best Honey Uncapping Knives
10. BeesNise Stainless Steel Honey Uncapping Knife
Honey harvesting in your beekeeping operation just got better with your use of the BeesNise Honey Uncapping Knife. It is a stainless steel serrated edge knife designed for uncapping honeycombs. This knife is made in the Z-shape design of uncapping knives used in beekeeping. It is a reliable design preferred by many beekeepers in the USA and the world. The stainless steel used to make the blade of the knife is strong and does not get corroded. The knife is thereby reliable and very effective at its job. It is easy to clean and store. Additionally, this uncapping knife does not impact the flavor, color or smell of honey and other beehive products.
The BeesNise Honey Uncapping Knife is made using stainless steel and wood. It is shaped to give you best control over the movement of the knife even when wearing gloves. The knife has a serrated edge with the peaks set at a carefully chosen depth. In a single pass, the knife uncaps all the cells on one face of honeycomb. The serrated edge is found on both sides of the blade of this knife. This knife is well designed and assembled for functionality and long life. Wood used in the handle of the knife is held in place on each side of the stainless steel handle section of the blade. The wooden handle measures 4.5 inches. It gives you excellent grip and control over the knife.
Pros
- This is a solid and safe honeycomb uncapping knife that is easy to use. It is made using safe materials for both your honeybees and the people consuming your beehive products.
- Effectiveness and easy handling make this a suitable addition in the beekeeping tools that both beginner and experienced beekeepers use in their beekeeping operations.
Cons
- Rivets used to put together the handle of this knife get weak over time and come apart. Hopefully, you will see some signs and fix the handle of the BeesNise Honey Uncapping Knife on time.
9. Weichaun Stainless Steel Uncapping Serrated Knife
The Weichaun Stainless Steel Serrated Uncapping Knife comes from a manufacturer with a good reputation in the beekeeping industry. You are sure of its quality and durability. The uncapping knife is built in the Z-shape design for uncapping knives. It features a wooden handle held in place using 2 rivets. The blade of this knife is serrated on both its edges. Its tip is also sharp but not serrated. A flat bottom of the blade allows smooth movement of the blade over uncapped honeycomb. This knife is light and easy to use. Its handle fits well into your hand so you have total control over the movement of the knife. The blade is also shaped and serrated to give you maximum uncapping of honey cells with minimal energy used.
This knife measures 16 inches from its blade tip to the rear tip of its wooden handle. The knife’s wooden handle has a length of 4 ¼ inches and the stainless steel blade is 11 inches long. Weichaun has used quality wood and stainless steel in this uncapping knife so it remains light, strong and durable. The knife weighs 5.6 ounces. It does not cause any addition of flavors or odors to honey and other beehive products. Both beginner and experienced beekeepers are able to use this uncapping knife in their beekeeping operations.
Pros
- The Weichaun Stainless Steel Serrated Uncapping Knife is made using food safe materials. It does not affect the quality of your beehive products including honey and beeswax among others.
- You only need proper angling and minimal energy to uncap all cells with honey. One or two passes with this knife over the face of honeycomb is enough to uncap all cells.
Cons
- Some beekeepers have reported receiving their Weichaun Stainless Steel Serrated Uncapping Knife in poor shape and condition. The company should work on improving packaging and protection of the knife during shipping.
8. HunterBee Beekeeping Stainless Steel Electric Uncapping Knife
The HunterBee Stainless Steel Electric uncapping Knife is an easy to use knife with a wooden handle. It is well made using stainless steel and wood. The knife features an electric heating element in the blade. It also has a black power cord that runs electricity to the heating element in the blade. Heating this uncapping knife makes it very effective at uncapping honeycombs. The knife allows you to finish uncapping and move on to extracting honey quickly. It saves you time and is efficient. HunterBee has made this uncapping knife with great craftsmanship and design. It is assembled well and lasts for long without coming apart. Its heating element withstands many heating and cooling cycles without getting shorted out.
This uncapping knife measures 25 centimeters long (9.8 inches) on the blade, with a blade width of 5 centimeters (1.97 inches). The total length from the tip of the blade to the rear of the wooden handle is 40 centimeters (15.84 inches). The HunterBee Stainless-Steel Electric uncapping Knife comes with a long black electric cord that allows you to have enough distance between your electric power socket outlet and the working area where you are uncapping honeycombs. It also makes handling of the uncapping knife easy by allowing unrestricted movements. This electric uncapping knife gives you a wave type operating temperature range of between 1400C and 1600C (2800F and 3200F).
Pros
- HunterBee Stainless-Steel Electric uncapping Knife heats up quickly so you can start working immediately. It takes less around 2 minutes to heat up to its operating temperature.
- This electric uncapping knife is well sized for uncapping honeycombs. It requires only one or two passes on each face of honeycomb for complete uncapping.
Cons
- Some beekeepers have burned out their HunterBee Stainless-Steel Electric uncapping Knife soon after they started using it. Make sure to run the knife on the proper voltage of AC electricity.
7. Kocome Stainless Steel Electric Knife, 110V
One of the most coveted electric knives in the market today is the stainless steel uncapping knife from Kocome. It is a 110V knife that has a wooden handle and a power cord. Its total length is 40 cm and weighs approximately 1.22 pounds. The fact that this uses electricity means it is highly efficient since it eliminates the need to boil water and keep dipping the knife whenever you are uncapping the frames. The wooden handle also enables you to have a firm grip on the knife and take full charge of the process.
This uncapping knife will suit all skill levels. There is no bias as to who should or should not use it. It all depends on your budget and preference.
Check Price
6. Agile Electric Honey Uncapping Knife
This is another great choice for the lovers of electric uncapping knives. It is designed to make the uncapping process seamless and cost-efficient. Those who are particularly engaged in full time beekeeping will find it efficient in uncapping a number of frames within a day. It is also a cheaper alternative if you cannot afford the automatic uncapper.
This stainless steel uncapping knife warms up easily and removes the wax cappings with ease. Its maximum temperature is 320 F and the user should switch it off once it becomes too hot.
On the downside, the knife sometimes gets too hot while in operation. Perhaps a temperature regulator could be implemented in a later model to keep it in control. That notwithstanding, this is a good buy altogether. As for price, it is quite affordable.
It has a handle of 6 x 1.5 inches and its blade is 9.85 x 2 inches. The electric power cord measures 59 inches and the total voltage is 110 V. The overall weight is 1.15 pounds and therefore never takes effort to handle.
Check Price
5. BEEXTM Electric Heating Honey Scraper
The BEEXTM Electric Heating Honey Scraper is an exceptional tool for beekeepers looking to extract honey from their hives. This electric honey uncapper is designed to quickly and efficiently remove honey from honeycombs, making the extraction process fast and easy.
One of the standout features of this product is its electric heating element. This heating element is designed to quickly and evenly heat the honeycomb, making it easier to remove the honey. The heating element is also adjustable, allowing the beekeeper to customize the temperature to suit the needs of the hive.
Another great feature of the BEEXTM Electric Heating Honey Scraper is its durability. The product is constructed from high-quality materials, making it strong and resistant to wear and tear. This means that beekeepers can rely on the product to provide many years of use.
The BEEXTM Electric Heating Honey Scraper is also designed to be easy to use. It features a simple and intuitive design that is easy to operate, even for beekeepers who are new to the extraction process. The product is also easy to clean and maintain, making it a hassle-free addition to any beekeeping operation.
Overall, the BEEXTM Electric Heating Honey Scraper is an excellent tool for beekeepers looking to extract honey from their hives. Its electric heating element, durability, and ease of use make it a standout product in the world of beekeeping. Highly recommended for beekeepers of all skill levels.
Check Price
4. Pierce Beekeeping Electric Uncapping Knife
Nicknamed the ‘Speed King’, the Pierce Beekeeping Electric Uncapping Knife does well to live up to its nickname. This hardy knife is made of stainless steel and is suitable for both the beginner and professional. What’s more, this knife is handmade with care, which results in it costing quite a bit more than its competitors.
This honey uncapping knife heats up quickly and can effectively cut wax cappings from the frames without much effort. Its wooden handle prevents heat transfer from the blade to the handle, but you should still practice extra precaution and use gloves.
The Pierce Beekeeping Electric Uncapping Knife runs on alternating current (AC) and is available in different models depending on the region. A 120 Volt model is available for the USA, Canada and Mexico, while a 220/240 Volt option is available for Europe, Australia and New Zealand. It comes with a grounded 8 foot power cord.
The Pierce Beekeeping Electric Uncapping Knife comes with an easy to read manual and a 2 year warranty.
Click here to read our full review of the Pierce Beekeeping Electric Uncapping Knife.
Check Price
3. Little Giant & Ag HKNIFE Electric Uncapping Knife
This preset electric knife takes off the stress involved in removing wax from frames so as to extract honey. The knife warms up quickly and allows you to begin uncapping immediately. It is a stainless steel electric uncapping knife that has a wooden handle for comfortable and firm grip.
It is not only easy to operate but it also makes your work easier and eliminates the mess experienced with other uncapping knives. This works well for the professional as well as the beginner and hobbyist. Those who have used it say it works well and efficiently. Its preset temperature in particular is impressive since it helps maintain the required heat for uncapping. As for price, it is affordable.
It has a dimension of 18.6 x 8.5 x 0.1 inches and weighs 10.1 ounces.
Check Price
2. GoodLand Bee Supply GLUK-ELEC Electric Decapping Knife, 110 Volts
This is an excellent quality decapping knife from GoodLand Bee Supply, designed for the beginner or professional beekeeper. It has a power capacity of 110 volts and it is a corded knife.
One of the features that I found to be most impressive with this knife, is the fact that it has an excellent handle and warms up fast. It therefore makes things so much easier. This is unlike cold uncapping knives that have to be dipped in hot water every time. The blade is also well designed so as to make it easy to maneuver. As for price, this electric knife is surprisingly affordable when compared to similar models. In fact most buyers point out that it works as good as one that costs twice its price. It works more than expected and will definitely last long given the sturdy construction.
The knife has a dimension of 18.9 x 2 x 17.8 inches and weighs only 1 pound. Its shipping weight is 1.2 pounds.
Check Price
1. Pierce Beekeeping Uncapping Knife with Manual Control
The Pierce Beekeeping Uncapping Knife with Manual Control is an exceptional tool for beekeepers looking to extract honey from their hives. The knife is made from high-quality materials and is designed to provide precise and controlled uncapping of honeycomb.
One of the standout features of this uncapping knife is its manual control. The knife is designed to be used by hand, providing the beekeeper with complete control over the uncapping process. This allows for greater precision and accuracy, resulting in a higher yield of honey from the hive.
The knife itself is also highly durable and well-made. It is constructed from high-quality materials that are designed to withstand the rigors of regular use. The blade is sharp and precise, allowing for clean and efficient uncapping of the honeycomb.
Another great feature of the Pierce Beekeeping Uncapping Knife with Manual Control is its ease of use. The knife is designed to be comfortable and ergonomic, making it easy to handle and use for extended periods of time. This is important for beekeepers who may need to spend a significant amount of time uncapping honeycomb during the harvest season.
Overall, the Pierce Beekeeping Uncapping Knife with Manual Control is an excellent tool for any beekeeper looking to extract honey from their hives. Its manual control, high-quality construction, and ease of use make it a standout product in the world of beekeeping. Highly recommended for beekeepers of all skill levels.
Check Price
Conclusion
You have three choices to choose from when it comes to uncapping equipment: the automatic uncapper, cold uncapping knife, or electric uncapping knife. Each of these works well but cannot be equal when it comes to their efficiency. They also come in varying prices. Therefore, try to evaluate your needs and budget before you buy any of the above mentioned best honey uncapping knives.
Do you own any of the honey uncapping knives on this list? Which uncapping knife do you think should be added to this list? Leave a comment below and let us know.
The uncapping knife i currently have takes time to re-heat after each use. I’m looking for a knife that says hot, or at the very least, re-heats quickly. Which would you recommend?
Hello, I’d recommend the Pierce Beekeeping uncapping knife.