Alden Marshall makes excellent points concerning the mid-rib in cut-comb or
section comb honey.  There is absolutely no question that this mid-rib from
foundation is considerably thicker than what the bees build on their own.

But I think the discussion up until now has been focused on drawing comb for
brood.  Foundation for brood is very considerably thicker than foundation
for either cut-comb or section comb honey.  For example, Kelley's 5 5/8th
wide foundation for brood has 10 sheets to the pound while their 5 5/8th
foundation for cut comb has 16 sheets to the pound.  Kelley's 'thin super'
foundation for section comb honey has 28 sheets to the pound...almost 60%
less wax than the nearest corresponding foundation sold for brood.

For comb honey the idea is to give the bees as little wax as possible, while
for brood production the idea is just the opposite!  In fact, I know one guy
who runs 450 hives solely for comb honey and uses the tinyest imaginable
amount of beeswax to get the bees started.  He is fortunate in that he lives
in an area where he can be almost assured of 3-4 weeks of a great late
summer (August) flow.  Not many of us are so fortunate.

Lloyd

--
Lloyd Spear
Owner Ross Rounds, Inc.
Manufacture of equipment for round comb honey sections,
Sundance Pollen Traps, and producer of Sundance custom labels.
Contact your dealer or www.RossRounds.com

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