Barbed Wire
Strong and Effective to Keep Your Herd Where They Belong
In the mid-1800s, the invention of barbed wire changed the landscape of the western prairies. Early farmers and ranchers were looking for a way to contain their herds and secure their newly acquired boundaries from the open range. Before this, barriers were simply made using local sources like trees or stones. These methods proved to be scarce in the frontiers of the unsettled plains. And natural materials were expensive, unreliable, and required a lot of maintenance. Weather conditions and wildfires caused the materials to fail without warning. And, the sheer amount of labor required to build these fence styles was more effort than most settlers could manage. A simple, economic, long-lasting enclosure was needed. By the 1880s, barbed wire became an efficient, affordable method of enclosing property. It was extremely popular, and to this day remains the most-used type of agricultural fencing across the U.S.
Compatible With
Selecting Barbed Wire Fence
Since 1867, hundreds of patents have been awarded for different styles of barb, or bob, wire. Of course, not all styles took hold and became popular with the public. The reasons were numerous. Some were designed to be safer, which took away from its intended effectiveness. Some styles proved too difficult to produce. Start-ups were expensive, so lack of capital prevented inventors from succeeding. And still others just didn’t have the experience to manufacture or market their products. In the end, the successful, enduring styles share common features. Farmers and ranchers need reliable, heavy-duty wire that won’t break under pressure. The steel should be high quality so that the wires maintain uniform tension and consistently react to changing weather conditions, preventing sagging or failure. The use of two wires, reverse twisted, adds strength and keeps the barb spacing intact to avoid slippage and gaps. In addition, the points of the barbs must be strong enough to resist bending and sharp enough to cause discomfort. Low carbon or high tensile wire are both good options for barbed wire, but either type should have a zinc coating to protect the steel from rust and early corrosion. Fortunately, you need not look further. Red Brand has barbed wire options that satisfy every requirement for a quality, long-lasting fence. When properly installed, you can expect your Red Brand fence to last 20-25 years. In fact, we’ve had customers tell us that their Red Brand Barbed Wire has lasted over 70 years!
4-Point vs 2-Point Barbs
A barb with 4 points of contact is most effective when the herd is in close quarters and crowding may be a concern. When the animals have more room to roam, barbs with 2 points are usually adequate.
Cost of Barbed Wire
Along with the barbed wire, a fence project includes posts, staples, stays and clips. Labor and tools must also be considered as part of the investment. Overall, the actual cost of the fence material is only about 30% of the total fence project.
A Legacy of Quality
We carefully monitor the steel making process to be sure we eliminate impurities and maintain specific alloy formulas. As a result, our wire reacts consistently to pressure and weather changes. Having control of the entire process, from beginning to end, assures top performance.
Certified Fence Installers
Connect with a professional fence installer for help with your Red Brand fence selection and installation.
Barbed Wire
Construction
Red Brand Barbed Wire is expertly made using the best steel available for consistency and performance. The barbs remain strong and sharp. The double wire-reverse twist cable design creates a strong, dependable wire that won't sag and keeps barbs in place.
Spacing
Red Brand makes two styles of barbs - Defender 2-point and Ruthless 4-point.
The spacing between barbs on our Defender is 4" and Ruthless features 5" spacing. To safely contain most herds, we generally recommend 4 to 5 lines of barbed wire, spaced about 10" apart.
Wire
Red Brand Barbed Wire is available in standard low carbon 12-½ gauge wire, and 15-½ gauge high tensile wire. All of our Barbed Wire is coated with a zinc alloy for rust protection. Each style is available in Class 1, Class 3, or Commercial
grade galvanization.
Installation
Typically, fence posts should be installed every 8 to 12', however high tensile wire can handle longer spans due to its rigidity. When installing on uneven ground, place posts closer together, with one on the top of each rise.
Application
Barbed Wire can be used for several applications. The most common use is to secure cattle, but it can also be used to confine swine, sheep and goats. Many times it's used in combination atop field fence or Red Brand's exclusive
King Ranch fence.
Benefits
The primary benefit of barbed wire fence
is its simplicity. The list of materials is short - just barb wire, posts, stays and staples. Red Brand's red-tipped barbs assure the highest quality steel for sharp, strong points and durable wire for
lasting performance.
Your Red Brand Barbed Wire Options
Red Brand Barbed Wire is built to safely contain your animals and protect your property. All Red Brand Barbed Wire comes in a length of 1,320 feet. That’s the equivalent of one-quarter mile, or one side of a square 40-acre parcel. Consider how many lines of wire you prefer to have on your enclosure. You’ll also need to decide if you want to use traditional low carbon wire, or high tensile. Each wire has its own set of benefits. Finally, determine the number of barbs you’ll need on your fence line. To help you select the proper fence for your property, stop by your local ag store and talk to a Red Brand dealer for more information. For helpful advice on installing barbed wire, check out our Installation resources and video, where we share expert advice.
Barbed Wire – Tradition 
Barbed Wire – High Tensile 
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