I have two fr. grips but don't use them (anymore). I found it nearly impossible (if not merely time consuming) to lift out a frame without pinching or "rolling" bees betweem the end bars and the hive wall. Also as mentioned, you have to loosen the frame with a hive-tool anyway; with tool in hand you are already "there" and can remove the frame without any added motions, like transferring the hive tool to the other hand and picking up the frame grip (whatever). I have seen others use them, and when a frame is stuck, some folks will grab the top bar with the grips and rock it back and forth trying to loosen it. Suddenly the frame breaks free from the hive and the frame gets yanked out with too much force, and too fast. Bees get knocked, rolled, and angry. I guess it depends on how careful you are. But it's much easier to judge the force needed to free and gently remove a frame when you are lifting it with your fingers. Another thing is that once the frame is in the grip and out of the hive, you can't grab it well to shake or transfer it, because you only have one free hand! I used to use the frame grip to get the first, outermost frame out. That was when I had 10 frames/brood chamber. Now that I've switched to 9 I sometimes don't even need a hive tool to remove brood frames. Or, at least the first frame comes out much more readily. FWIW