A hive tool is a very helpful tool in beekeeping. The bees like to glue the Hive Parts together with Propolis and you will need a hive tool to get the pieces apart. There are three types of hive tools, straight, J-hook, and mixed.
Straight hive tool – This is a small, very thin and sharp version of a pry bar. The flat, straight end of the tool is used to pry Boxes apart while the bent side is used to separate Frames.
J-hook hive tool – This one is very helpful for pulling out stuck frames. The “J” end of the tool can be slid under the lip of a frame which then can be easily pulled up. The other end is almost exactly the same as the flat end on a straight hive tool but it isn’t as thin and doesn’t work as well as the straight hive tool when prying apart boxes.
Mixed hive tool – This tool is a mix of the straight hive tool and the J-hook hive tool, it has both of their unique parts put together. The only problem with that is it isn’t as easily carried around in your pocket.