Barbed Wire or Razor Wire, Which is More Efficient?

Barbed tape or razor wire is a mesh of metal strips with sharp edges whose purpose is to prevent passage by humans. The term "razor wire", through long usage, has generally been used to describe barbed tape products.

What is Barbed Wire?

Barbed wire is considered one of the cheapest fencing alternatives and it is widely used to this day. It is made out of steel that has sharp points that are sticking out at intervals along the strands. Barbed wire can also be used on top of fences and walls for security purposes, but it is not as effective as razor wire.

Barbed wire can be classified as a single or double strand, depending on the structure, and it can be conventional or reverse twisted based on twist type.

What is Razor Wire?

Razor wire is a type of security measurement that has sharp parts which makes it impossible for people to climb over fences. It is made out of metal strips that have very sharp edges, for the sole purpose of preventing unwanted burglars, thieves, or trespassers.

It's safe to say that a human would not get over razor wire unless he uses other tools that would help him do it. We are going to compare razor wire with barbed wire, so it's safe to say that razor wire is much more dangerous to get over than barbed wire. It carries the name “razor wire” because the sharp edges cut just like razor blades. Razor wire can cut human flesh and even clothes with no difficulties whatsoever.

There are five types of razor wire and those are straight, clipped coils, flat wrapped, welded mesh and spiral coils. Barbed wire can be also categorized based on structure and we have helical, concertina, blade type, and flattened type.

Which is More Efficient?

Barbed wire, as we mentioned above, is the cheapest fencing alternative out there that is widely used to restrain the movement of cattle and on top of fences for security purposes. On the other hand, razor wire is much more expensive, but its sole purpose is to be used on top of fences for providing security of the highest level.

Barbed wire is easier to get over and doesn't provide that much protection. However, razor wire is nearly impossible to get over due to the razor-sharp edges that cat cut both clothes and flesh like butter. Barbed wire can be overcome with a pair of gloves and pliers, although often times you wouldn't need them. Razor wire requires specialized gloves to be set up and require the same gloves if you want to get over it. Chances are that you will sustain some injury or cut if you try to get over a razor fence wire, while the same cannot be said for barbed wire.

Barbed wire is mostly used to restrain the movement of cattle, while razor wire is used to prevent any unwanted person from entering your property or place of business.