6 Best Wire Splicing Tools For Repairing Broken Fences Old-Timers Swear By
Mend broken fences with the tools seasoned pros trust. We review the 6 best wire splicers for creating strong, reliable, and long-lasting repairs.
There’s nothing that sinks your heart quite like seeing a snapped fence line on a damp morning. A clean break in the wire isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a busted-up workday and a potential problem with livestock. The difference between a ten-minute fix and a whole-afternoon headache often comes down to having the right tool in your hand.
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Why a Solid Splice Matters on the Back Forty
A weak splice is a problem waiting to happen all over again. It’s the spot that will sag first, the place where rust will chew through, and the exact point a determined steer will test when the grass looks greener on the other side. A proper repair isn’t just about reconnecting two ends of a wire; it’s about restoring the fence’s original tension and integrity.
Think of it this way: every foot of your fence line is working as a team to contain your animals and keep predators out. A sloppy, hand-twisted splice is like a slacker on the team—it creates a weak point that puts more strain on the posts and wires around it. A solid, tight splice made with a good tool becomes as strong as the original wire, ensuring you won’t be fixing that same spot again next spring.
Crescent 10" Fence Tool: The All-in-One Classic
If you only have one fencing tool on your ATV, this is probably it. The Crescent 10" Fence Tool is the jack-of-all-trades for the fenceline. It has a hammer head for staples, a claw for pulling them, cutters for snipping wire, and a couple of grippers for twisting and pulling. It’s the tool most of us learned on.
Its greatest strength is its versatility. You can build a whole fence with just this one tool if you have enough patience and grit. The tradeoff, however, is that it doesn’t do any single job exceptionally well. It won’t give you the leverage of a dedicated stretcher or the perfect finish of a spinning tool, but for patching a quick break in a barbed wire fence, it’s tough to beat for sheer convenience.
The Goldenrod Fence Stretcher for Tight Wires
You can’t splice a wire that won’t reach. When a high-tensile wire snaps in the middle of a long, tight run, you’re left with two ends that are feet apart and under immense tension. This is where the Goldenrod Fence Stretcher, or a similar "come-along" style tool, becomes absolutely essential.
This tool uses two clamps to grab both sides of the broken wire. You then work a ratchet handle to crank the two ends together, giving you the slack you need to make a proper, unhurried splice. It’s not a small tool to carry for daily patrols, but for serious repairs, it’s non-negotiable. Using a Goldenrod is the difference between a patch that sags in a week and a repair that restores the line to drum-tight condition.
Gripple Plus Tool for Quick, Modern Repairs
Some old-timers might grumble, but the Gripple system is undeniably fast and effective. The concept is simple: a small, self-locking device called a Gripple joins the two wire ends. You just slide the wires in from either side, and they can’t pull back out. The real magic is the tensioning tool, which latches onto the wire’s tail and lets you crank it to the exact tension you need.
The main advantage is speed. A perfect, tight splice takes less than a minute with no twisting or knot-tying skills required. The downside is cost; the Gripples are a consumable you have to keep buying. While they are surprisingly strong, some folks still prefer the proven longevity of a hand-tied splice. For a quick, reliable fix in bad weather, though, they are a game-changer.
Daken Kwik-Spin for Perfect, Even Twists
This tool does one job, and it does it perfectly: it creates a beautiful, tight, and uniform wrap on your wire splices. After you’ve brought your wires together and made your initial loops, you hook the Kwik-Spin on and simply turn the handle. It spins the wire end into a neat coil that looks like it was done by a machine.
Why does a neat wrap matter? A loose, uneven hand-twist can leave gaps that collect moisture and promote rust, weakening the splice over time. A perfect wrap from a Kwik-Spin ensures even tension and a tight seal, dramatically increasing the life and strength of the repair. It’s a specialty tool, but if you maintain a lot of high-tensile fence, the reliability it adds is well worth it.
Channellock 85 Pliers for Heavy-Duty Leverage
Not all fencing pliers are created equal. When you’re wrestling with heavy 12.5 gauge high-tensile wire, standard pliers can feel flimsy and slip at the worst moment. The Channellock 85s are the solution. These are big, heavy, and built to give you serious mechanical advantage.
The long handles provide the leverage you need to bend and twist thick wire without shredding your hands or your patience. The hardened cutting edges can snip heavy wire cleanly, and the powerful jaws grip like a vise. These are overkill for light-duty electric fence wire, but for heavy woven wire, bull pens, or any job where you need to muscle the wire into place, they are the right tool for the job.
Miles Pliers: Mastering the Figure 8 Knot
For those who believe in the art of a traditional splice, the Figure 8 knot (also called a termination knot) is the gold standard for strength. The problem is, it’s a real bear to tie correctly by hand, especially with stiff high-tensile wire. The Miles Pliers are specifically designed to make tying this knot simple and repeatable.
The tool’s unique jaws are shaped to help you form the loops and then provide the leverage to pull the knot incredibly tight. A properly seated Figure 8 knot is known to be stronger than the wire itself. If you’re committed to building a fence with the strongest traditional splices possible and don’t want to rely on crimps or joiners, mastering a tool like this is the way to go.
Choosing the Right Splicing Tool for Your Fence
There is no single "best" tool for every farmer or every fence. The right choice depends entirely on your situation. The key is to match the tool to the wire you use most often and the kind of repairs you typically face. Are you doing quick patches on old barbed wire, or are you maintaining long runs of modern high-tensile fence?
Here’s a simple way to think about it:
- For all-around versatility: Start with the Crescent 10" Fence Tool.
- For restoring tension: You absolutely need a Goldenrod Fence Stretcher.
- For maximum speed and ease: The Gripple Plus Tool is your answer.
- For perfect, traditional splices: A Daken Kwik-Spin or Miles Pliers will elevate your work.
- For heavy-gauge wire: Step up to the leverage of the Channellock 85.
Ultimately, the best investment is the tool that turns a frustrating chore into a satisfying, permanent repair. A solid fence line is about peace of mind, and having the right tool makes achieving that a whole lot easier.
A well-maintained fence is a silent partner in your farm’s success, quietly doing its job day in and day out. Investing in a quality splicing tool isn’t about the tool itself; it’s about investing in less time worrying and more time farming. Choose wisely, and your future self will thank you.
