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What’s the Difference Between Barbed Wire and Razor Wire

Barbed wires and razor wires are two main types of security wires widely used today for protection. Although there are differences between barbed wires and razor wires, their main functions and performances are essentially the same.

Whether it’s for preventing intruders from crossing over protective boundaries, or for stopping animals from passing through the enclosure, barbed wires and razor wires are economical and practical choices.

However, if you know the difference between barbed wire and razor wire better, that will make help when selecting a more appropriate security wire. In this article, you will learn some basic things about barbed wires and razor wires and get a thorough comparison between them. Let’s get started.

difference between barbed wire and razor wire

What’s Barbed Wire

Barbed wire is a type of fencing wire. It’s essentially stranded wire with barbs twisted onto it every few inches. According to the twist methods, they are generally sorted into conventional twist barbed wires and reverse twisted barbed wires.

Conventional twist barbed wire, also known as traditional twist barbed wire, consists of 2 strands of galvanized wire that twisted together in a single direction, the barb wires are twisted between the strand wires.

Reverse twist barbed wire is normally fabricated with high-tensile steel wire or mild steel wire, formed from reverse twisted wire strands interspersed with 4-point barbs.

comparison between conventional twist barbed wire and reverse twist barbed wire

Based on the material, barbed wires can be generally divided into galvanized barbed wire, high-tensile steel barbed wire, and stainless steel barbed wire. As to which type of wire is better, it depends on your needs and budget.

If you need a temporary fence that is not too expensive, then galvanized barbed wire may be a good option. If you need a more permanent fence that will not rust, then stainless steel barbed wire may be a better option. But it’s important to keep in mind that whichever wire you choose must have a zinc coating to protect the steel against corrosion and rusting.

What’s Razor Wire

Razor wire, also called concertina wire, spiral wire or concertina razor wire, is a type of defensive wire with sharp blades sticking out of it. It resembles barbed wire that’s commonly used to corral cattle, but it comes in flat coils that can quickly expand like its namesake, making it easier to store, transport and install.

The razor wire is normally made from high tensile core wire and a punched steel tape with sharp barbs at close intervals uniformly. The razor tape is cold crimped tightly onto the spring steel core, and finally into rolls for easy transport and deployment.

Razor wires are available in many styles of coils and blades that can be used in different environments. The wire is exceedingly hard to cut utilizing hand devices. It has been the wire of choice for militaries around the world since World War I.

razor wire

As to more information about razor wires like the specifications, applications, types, and installation, you may check Concertina Razor Wire Details You Need to Know.

Difference Between Barbed Wire and Razor Wire - A Thorough Comparison

Here is a thorough comparison between barbed wires and razor wires in terms of materials, applications, features, costs, and installations. Keep on reading and you will get the differences.

Material Difference Between Barbed Wire and Razor Wire

Razor wires and barbed wires are usually made from high-quality low carbon steel or stainless steel. Both of them can choose zinc plating or PVC coating as the surface treatment if they are made from low carbon steel. And no surface treatment is needed if they use stainless steel as the raw material since stainless steel seldom gets rusty.

So what makes a difference between barbed wire and razor wire in material? As we mentioned before, the razor wire consists of two parts, the core wire and razor tape. And each part can choose different raw materials separately to finally get various combinations to meet different needs.

Both core wires and razor tapes can choose pre hot-dipped galvanized steel or stainless steel as the raw materials. Therefore, you may choose stainless steel core wire + blades for a high level quality, or stainless steel blade + galvanized steel core wire and galvanized steel blade + galvanized steel core wire for a medium grade at an acceptable price.

In one word, you select from different material combinations for razor wire while not workable for barbed wire.

Application Difference Between Barbed Wire and Razor Wire

Obviously, razor wire is much more defensive than the barbed wire due to its formidable sharp blades. Sharp edges of blades can easily cut through intruders’ clothes or skin. The closely connected concertina razor wire coils even provide less space for people to pass through. You can imagine, it’s surely impossible to cross the razor wire barrier without appropriate tools.

Such highly defensive razor wires are usually combined with fences or used individually as physical barriers to prevent unauthorized people from passing through. The wires are mainly used in high security areas like

  • Military Base Camps
  • Railway Stations
  • Airport
  • Amusement Parks
  • Government Offices
  • Public Properties
  • Restricted Areas
razor wire for military

While on the contrary, barbed wire is less defensive. It’s protective performance and deterrent power are not as impressive as razor wire. But that doesn’t give you an excuse to ignore the sharpness of barbed wires. Never try to cross it unless you want to get hurt.

The production process of barbed wire is more simple which makes it less expensive compared to the razor wires. The wires are usually used to build inexpensive fences for

  • Grass Boundaries
  • Garden Protection
  • Livestock Protection

Cost Difference Between Barbed Wire and Razor Wire

As a kind of simple security wire, barbed wire is manufactured with fewer raw materials and the production process is less complicated. That makes barbed wire economical for fence building. If you are preparing for a large site and requiring not too much security, the barbed wire will be a great choice.

Razor wire is comparatively more expensive than barbed wire due to its complex production process and more waste of raw materials in the manufacturing process. But its core wire material and blade material still cost less than other types of high security fences if covering the same area.

Therefore, when you need a large quantity of high-security products but with a limited budget for your project, the razor wire fence may be a good alternative.

Feature Difference Between Barbed Wire and Razor Wire

Razor wire Features

  • Modern and economical way as perimeter barriers against illegal invasion to restricted areas.
  • Fabricated from hot-dipped galvanized steel or stainless steel, high resistance to corrosion.
  • A sharp blade with multiple profiles has piercing and gripping action, which performs psychological deterrent to intruders.
  • Enclosed high tensile core wire makes it difficult to cut with standard tools.
  • Provides much better security compared with traditional barbed wire.
  • Easy installation and low maintenance.
  • The security fencing of the concertina wires are profoundly effective and extremely hard to traverse.
  • The wires are extremely resistant to adverse weather and last for a long duration.

Barbed Wire Features

  • The barbed wire is surrounded by four-point barbs on the main line, largely increasing the difficulty for intruders to pass through or make any damage.
  • Can be combined with other fences for advanced security barriers.
  • The barbed wire fencing just requires the post, the wire, and the settling devices like staples.

The structures can be easily developed with a traditional barbed wire and can be installed even by a non-professional person.

Installation Difference Between Barbed Wire and Razor Wire

Where You Can Install Razor Wire

Razor wire is commonly used individually as a fence or wall topping for the site and border security. You can install the razor wires by following any one method below.

Method 1 Install razor wires to the existing fence systems. Fix it to the top of welded metal fences, chain link fences, palisade fencing, and ornamental fences with tie wire or barb arms.

Method 2 Install razor wires on the top of brick or concrete walls. Fasten the wires on the brick or concrete wall by barb arm with flange.

Method 3 Install razor wires on the ground along the perimeter to meet the needs of some applications. Spread it out directly on the ground to from barrier and separation line.

Method 4 Fasten the razor wire onto frames or attach them onto posts as security fencing. Specially designed brackets should be used to support the razor wire fences according to different operating environment.

Where You Can Install Barbed Wire

Barbed wires can be fastened to posts with nails and tie wires to form a barbed wire fence. Alternatively, you can fix it to the top of other fences through barb arms and tie wires just like what we can do to razor wires.

barbed wire

It’s quite easy and fast to install barbed wire fencing, even a less skilled worker can finish the installation easily. It’s important to know that no matter where you will install it, you must tighten and straighten the barbed wires to get the expected protection effect.

Trustworthy Manufacturers of Concertina Razor Wire and Barbed Wire

There are many professional manufacturers of razor wires and barbed wires supplying quality products all over the world, like A-1 Fence, Red Brand, and Shiva Engineering Co. But if you are looking for a big factory with a sustainable production capacity and competitive price, China is second to none.

SKYHALL® Fence is a certified manufacturer and exporter of razor wires and barbed wires since 2009. We have customers throughout the world but mainly in the Middle East and Europe districts for governmental projects focusing on the borderlines.

If you are considering razor wires or barbed wires for your next project, why not contact us right now? We are experienced in large projects and well known for satisfying service. Just email us at info@skyhallfence.com  or call us directly on +86 132 3111 6517. Let’s discuss the projects!