On Fri, 5 Sep 1997, Ronnie Van Niekerk wrote:
 
> I have never heard of a scratcher.
 
Hi Ronnie!
 
A scratcher is a small hand tool which resembles a dinner fork. It has
about 8 tines, which are made of stainless steel wire and sharpened to
a fine point. In use, it is dragged over the face of the comb thus
disrupting the cappings.
 
Its use has three advantages. First, it does not cut away any of the comb.
Only the cappings themselves are removed. They remain on the surface of
the comb and are thrown off in the extractor with the honey. No separate
mechanism is required to handle them. Second, the combs themselves remain
full depth and the bees need not rebuild them. Third, it only costs about
five American dollars and lasts forever.
 
Best regards,
 
 
Donald Aitken
11710-129 Street
Edmonton Alberta Canada
T5M 0Y7