> brushing the combs one at a time (and how that infuriates bees)
 
The trick is to shake most of the bees off first with a quivering
shake and then brush UPWARDS.
 
Being pushed upwards is quite natural to the bees compared to being
brushed down.  try it -- you'll like it.
 
We extracted 125 hives many years ago, using only brushing and it
was not too bad a task.  Remember to carry two brushes and soak the
one not in use to remove any honey.  Shake to water off and change
brushes at any sign of the brush in use loosing its softness.
 
As far as escape boars are concerend, the triangle (either single or
double)  style far outperform the Porter type in our experience and
are pretty rugged to boot.  We used them extensively when we were
producing hundreds of thousands of comb sections.  We found the
Porter type too finicky by comparison.
 
If you use escape boards in hot climates, remember to use the kind
with a fair sized (double?)  screened hole in the centre or your
combs will melt -- as one sadder but wiser  member reported here
recently.
 
If anyone wants a design for a triangle escape, just say the word and
I'll whip up a drawing and email it to those who ask.
 
Regards
 
Allen
 
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper                                         VE6CFK
RR#1, Swalwell, Alberta  Canada T0M 1Y0
Internet:[log in to unmask] & [log in to unmask]
Honey. Bees, & Art <http://www.internode.net/~allend/>