I am finally posting part of the results of my query
concerning "Survey of tools used when working hives" back in
June. I hope to compile and post more when I get the time.
 
        The survey was answered by 51 individuals out of 429
recipients (~ 12% response rate). The totals may no match
exactly due to ambiguous questions and answers. I have a deeper
appreciation of the importance of clarity in survey questions
given the types of responses.
 
        The totals don't match between smoker and hive tool,
but it is close enough to get an impression.
 
===============================================================
 
Smoker portion
 
        Number of hives managed:
        [ ] 1-5
        [ ] 6-10
        [ ] 11-50
        [ ] 51-100
        [ ] 101-500
        [ ] 501-1000
        [ ] more than 1000
 
 
        [ ] smoker - always
        [ ] smoker - occasionally
        [ ] smoker - seldom
        [ ] smoker - never
 
yielded:
 
  Hives     always | occas. | seldom | never  |  Totals
-------------------------------------------------------
  1-5        14 ** |   6    |   1    |        |    21
  6-10        6    |   3    |   2    |        |    11
 11-50        7    |        |   1    |        |     8
 51-100       3    |   1    |        |        |     4
101-500       3    |        |        |        |     3
501-1000      2    |        |        |        |     2
   >1000      2    |        |        |        |     2
          ----------------------------------------------
 Totals      37       10        4                  51
 
 
Notes:
---------------------------------------------------------
**: One answered "usually". I placed it under always. This is a
case of my question could have been better. Also one didn't
indicate # of hive. I rec'd
as 1-5.
 
        Some commented that they alway had there smoker lit,
but only used it as needed. In particular, smoking a sting
sight to cover the pheromone was mentioned.
 
        Smoking in the fall and at harvest more than during the
rest of the season for inspections was indicated by some.
 
 
==========================================================
 Hive Tool portion
 
        Number of hives managed:
        [ ] 1-5
        [ ] 6-10
        [ ] 11-50
        [ ] 51-100
        [ ] 101-500
        [ ] 501-1000
        [ ] more than 1000
 
        [ ] hive tool, old curved style
        [ ] hive tool, flat style
 
yielded:
 
 Hives          | flat   |  curved  | both  | Other    | Total
--------------------------------------------------------
  1-5           |   13 a |    6     |   2   |          |   21
  6-10          |    6   |    4     |       |    1 b   |   11
 11-50          |    4   |    3     |       |          |    7
 51-100         |    2   |    2     |       |    1 c   |    5
101-500         |    1   |    1     |   1   |          |    3
501-1000        |    1   |          |   1 d |          |    2
   >1000        |    1 e |          |       |          |    1
          -----------------------------------------------------
 Totals             28       16         4       2          50
 
Notes:
-------------------------------
a. no hive answer rec'd as 1-5
b. stiff putty knife mentioned
c. Hive tool looks like wonder bar?
d. 1 curved, 2 flat
e. Hybrid tool made from curved with flat end ground
        down on one side to give frame lever (no
        hook).
 
==============================================================
 
        Thank you to those that responded.
 
        Jim Moore
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