We searched for the best tools for new beekeepers. Bought them in volume. And, in the case of the frame grip we made the best even better. We added in half a pound of easy to light, long smoking raw cotton. And, then priced it at the cost some sell the smoker for alone!
The smoker is 4" x 7" stainless steel with safety shield. The best size for 6 hives or less. Smokes for hours on 2 onces of cotton. Buying a smoker without a safety shield is like buying a car without bumpers.
Our hive tool is 9.5" to give you good leverage. The sharp end is for loosening tops and supers. The curved end is for scraping, and prying frames glued down by propolis.
You won't need the frame grip for the first month or so. But when your bees have had a little time to glue the frames down with propolis, you will be glad you have one on hand. We tried them all, and only had one complaint. They all work on a frame full of brood just fine. But, if it was a deep frame half full of honey, the all metal handles were a pain! So we took the best metal frame grip, wrapped the handles in foam and then tape. Now, it works great and feels fine too.
This pine entrance reducer has two entrance sizes notched into it. You select the size you want by rotating it 90 degrees. The small notch is for winter, the large is for spring and fall. You can also use the small entrance to stop robbing, because it is easier for the guard bees to defend. For summer, you may not need it at all. It is available in lengths for 8-Frame or 10-Frame hives. Can be used with Greenbeehives "IPK" screened bottom board, or standard pine bottom boards.