Foundation suppliers - Whats the difference?

[Floyd]

Needing to place an order and have noticed over time that KBS foundation seems to be mentioned here quite often.

What makes their product better than others.

I have seen some suppliers mention the use of African wax, is there not enough wax in the UK to support the supply of Foundation and should this be seen as an issue?

Your recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Apple]

Masie moores have told me there is a 3 month lead time for foundation.
I have been using a framed foundationless system for years. but never seem to have enough to keep up with demand for nucs!
Have to put up with phenomenally high prices and probability the foundation is contaminated with all kinds of nasties!

James

 

[drstitson]

KBS give decent volume discounts.

plus it is just nice stuff - both for the bees and candles.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I have seen some suppliers mention the use of African wax,

African wax is seen as more 'organic' as they haven't been dosing their bees with pyrethroids for years as some here do

 

[itma]

There does seem to be a general shortage of foundation at the moment.

KBS strikes me as being, visually at least, the cleanest that I have come across. Nice bright yellow and relatively transparent, quite unlike the grey/brown stuff commonly encountered. Paynes stuff seems very similar to KBS. And similarly packaged...

 

[user 6228]

Needing to place an order and have noticed over time that KBS foundation seems to be mentioned here quite often.

What makes their product better than others.

I have seen some suppliers mention the use of African wax, is there not enough wax in the UK to support the supply of Foundation and should this be seen as an issue?

Your recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

At this time of year the major difference is whether they have stock.

 

[Fraise]

Is the shortage of foundation an indication of a higher than usual number of swarms (real or AS) this year?

 

[islayhawk]

Kbs

while KBS might supply the best Foundation. Their carriage costs leave a lot to be desired. Their webpage quotes carriage of £9.75 for orders of under £85 for England and Wales. For orders under £550 to Scotland the carriage is £17.45. So a pack of 10 National shallow wired would cost me £23.80. No mention of orders under £85 for Scotland. Think I will stick to my regular supplier.

 

[Headnavigator]

Always gone by smell, and KBS foundation has smelt delectable. However in a hurry asked Paynes to throw some in with a recent order for something else and it smelt pretty good too - don't know where they get theirs from?

 

[Tonyatcwfarm]

Try getting foundation over this side of the pond
Iv ended up with unwired and drone foundation in the last 5 supers Iv made up

 

[beebopalula]

Always gone by smell, and KBS foundation has smelt delectable. However in a hurry asked Paynes to throw some in with a recent order for something else and it smelt pretty good too - don't know where they get theirs from?

I think it is MM's (their frames too).

 

[Hachi]

I've just moved to Kemble and the quality is top notch. I've just ordered 60 frames and foundation and the carriage was £6.85. Carriage is carriage its either there to see or its hidden in the price.

Caveat emptor

 

[Edwardking]

What does KBS stand for?

 

[beebopalula]

What does KBS stand for?

Kemble Bee Supplies

 

[clv101]

Masie moores have told me there is a 3 month lead time for foundation.

They had plenty in the shop of all sizes last weekend - I picked up 50 sheets.

 

[Itchy]

Anywhere sell unprinted brood foundation?

 

[Floyd]

Has anyone noticed a difference between the Premier and standard foundation that is sold by Th*rns. Theres only a 0.18p difference per sheet. I am down in Fife at the moment so will make a trip to their Newburgh shop. No doubt other items will end up on the receipt!

From the website

Standard quality beeswax is manufactured at Rand. It is beeswax blended from a variety of sources and has excellent colour and aroma.

Premier beeswax is manufactured at Rand. It is top quality foundation blended from the finest British, Irish, Australian and New Zealand beeswax. It is foundation which has been manufactured by Thornes for almost 50 years and on which we base our reputation as being the leading manufacturer of beeswax foundation in the UK.

 

[domino]

I was chatting to another beekeeper recently and he was telling me that some suppliers don't use 100% bees wax in their foundation making but mix with with 'stuff'.

Is this a urban myth?

I assumed all the major suppliers used 100% bees wax in all their foundation.