Colin, ah, that really makes sense. In that case - deep or jumbo, colony will dictate how much one needs to do, but one isn't forced to go bigger (unless there are so many manips, one has to give up the day job!) If I got that right, thank you.
I have considered other hive types, but for me they just don't make sense (as in - not practical, not that I don't 'get' them). I can give some of the reasons for why: I am going to set up a woodworking workshop at some point in the near future, so wooden hives are preferable (I wish they weren't, I do like the idea of the lighter, warmer ones; I also love the beehaus, although I can see the pitfalls, - it's the Mac of beeking world, let's face it!); as GrumpyBunny points out,
the local hive type is a factor; irrelevant though it is to my decision, I actually don't like the look of WBCs
Anyway - nationals it is for now.
Handle a hive of whatever type you are inclined towards BEFORE investing in that style.
Ask around at your Association meeting what other folks are using, and see how many think single-brood national is adequate. (Not many, I'd guess.)
Its not so much the local
hive type that matters, so much as the
frame type. Its particularly important while you have only one hive - at that point you may be reliant on friends with compatible kit to help you out of any holes you dig yourself into!
Two colonies is a much more independently sustainable situation.
Frame type? National and WBC actually use the identical frame. Beehaus is just an odd-shaped 14x12 (a plastic Dartington ish). You can get 14x12 WBCs (even if you don't like them!) If you cut down the lugs on a National frame, it'll fit in a Smith hive (a simple hive for diy carpenters). And a Smith frame can be used in a National.
Of course a National deep can be used (temporarily - an elastic concept) in a National jumbo aka 14x12. A 14x12 won't fit in a a standard National deep box. But 2 shallows (supers) will make a temporary home for 14x12 frames.
Double brood actually makes more sense than brood and a half.
However, without knowing your weightlifting capability, I'd hesitate to suggest double brood.
Shifting a complete 14x12 needs a bloody good reason, and a helpful pal, but the individual frames aren't too bad at all.
Personally, I'm no longer in any doubt that the bees do better in poly.
There are plenty of bits (floors, coverboards, feeder boards, clearer boards) that you can make from wood, for a poly hive.
If you can, handle as many different hives as possible (even a Topbar, if you can).
Much better than asking
what people like, try asking
why they like what they do. Then see who's reasons match your priorities.
I like 14x12 for National frame compatibility (and all that brings), long lugs, large single brood capacity (= brood and a half), poly availability. And I am
not moving hives to different apiaries for Rape, Heather, or anything!
And I prefer Manley frames in the supers ... but you haven't got that far yet!
