7 Best Wire Joining Clamps For Pig Fencing That Withstand Hog Rubbing
Find the most durable wire joining clamps for pig fencing. We review 7 top options that resist hog rubbing to ensure your enclosure remains secure.
You’ve just finished a new run of hog fencing, stretched tight and looking sharp. Then you watch as a 300-pound gilt ambles over, leans her full weight against the wire, and starts a long, satisfying scratch. The entire fence line groans, and all the tension you worked so hard to create is now focused on one single point: the wire splice. This is the moment of truth for every hog fence. Choosing the right wire joining clamp isn’t just a minor detail; it’s the difference between a secure paddock and a long afternoon chasing pigs through the woods.
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Why Hog Fences Demand Unbreakable Wire Joints
Pigs don’t test a fence like cattle or horses. They don’t just lean; they work it. They push, they rub, they lift with their snouts, and they worry at any spot that shows the slightest weakness.
This constant, targeted pressure is brutal on wire joints. A simple hand-twisted splice that might hold for years on a cattle pasture can be undone by a determined hog in a single afternoon. The friction and vibration from a pig scratching its side can slowly work a poorly crimped connection loose.
A fence is only as strong as its weakest link. For woven wire or high-tensile fencing, that weak link is almost always the splice you make to join two rolls or repair a break. When that join fails, the entire fence’s tension is compromised, creating a sag that a pig will exploit immediately. Investing a few extra dollars in the right joiner is cheap insurance against the chaos of an escaped hog.
Gripple Plus Joiners: The Gold Standard Splice
If you want a fast, strong, and adjustable join, the Gripple is hard to beat. Inside each Gripple is a set of tiny ceramic rollers that grip the wire, allowing it to pass in but never back out. You simply push your two wire ends into the device from opposite sides, and it locks them in place.
The real magic of the Gripple system is its adjustability. While you don’t need a tool to make the initial connection, a special tensioning tool lets you pull the wire tighter through the Gripple at any time. This is a game-changer for long-term fence maintenance, allowing you to easily remove sag that develops over the seasons.
Are they perfect? Not quite. Gripples are more expensive per unit than simple crimp sleeves. But when you factor in the speed of installation and the ability to re-tension without cutting the wire, the cost becomes much more reasonable. For most hobby farm applications, their strength is more than enough to handle a rubbing hog.
Nicopress Sleeves: For A Permanent Crimp Bond
When you need a connection that will absolutely, positively never slip, you reach for a Nicopress-style sleeve. These are typically double-barreled copper or aluminum sleeves that you slide over the two wire ends. Using a special crimping tool, you apply immense pressure at specific points on the sleeve, creating a cold weld that is as strong as the wire itself.
This is a permanent, set-it-and-forget-it solution. Once properly crimped, that join isn’t going anywhere. It won’t loosen from vibration, and it provides a clean, low-profile splice that won’t snag. This method has been the standard for linemen and professional fence builders for decades for a reason: it works.
The tradeoff is the lack of forgiveness. You must use the correct crimping tool with the matching grooves for the sleeve size. Using pliers or the wrong tool will create a weak spot that will fail. And because it’s permanent, there’s no adjusting it later. If you need to re-tension, you’ll have to do it from the end posts or by adding an in-line strainer elsewhere.
Hayes In-Line Strainers: Join and Tension Wire
Sometimes you need to do more than just join two wires; you need to pull an entire fence line tight. That’s where an in-line strainer, like those made by Hayes, becomes invaluable. This device acts as both a joiner and a tensioner in one rugged package.
You feed the two wire ends into the strainer’s spool and then use a wrench or a dedicated handle to crank the spool, which winds up the wire and pulls out all the slack. It’s like having a miniature winch built right into your fence line. This allows you to achieve a drum-tight fence without having to wrestle with cumbersome fence stretchers for every single join.
These are best used strategically, not for every splice. Place one in the middle of a long run (over 150-200 feet) to make initial tensioning easier and to simplify future maintenance. They are bulkier and more expensive than a simple splice, but having one or two on hand can save you an enormous amount of time and effort.
Zareba Crimp Sleeves: A Reliable Fencing Staple
Walk into any farm supply store, and you’ll find packs of Zareba crimp sleeves. These single-barrel sleeves are the workhorse of farm fencing. They are affordable, readily available, and when installed correctly, they create a strong, reliable bond that holds up well for most hog fencing applications.
Like Nicopress sleeves, they require a proper crimping tool to secure them. The process is straightforward: loop the wires through, slide the sleeve over the four strands, and crimp it down hard in two or three spots. It’s a proven method that provides a solid mechanical connection.
The key is precision. You have to match the sleeve size to your wire gauge. A 12.5-gauge sleeve on a 14-gauge wire will never get tight enough and will surely fail under a hog’s pressure. While they may not have the high-tech appeal of a Gripple, these sleeves have kept millions of farm animals contained for a reason. They’re a cost-effective and dependable choice.
Heavy-Duty U-Bolt Clamps for Maximum Strength
When you’re terminating a heavy gauge wire at a corner post or connecting to a gate, you need maximum holding power. This is where a U-bolt clamp, also known as a wire rope clip, shines. This isn’t for a mid-span splice; it’s for an anchor point where all the fence’s tension is concentrated.
A U-bolt clamp uses the simple, powerful mechanics of threaded nuts to create immense clamping force. By tightening the two nuts, a saddle presses the wires firmly against the U-bolt, creating a connection that is virtually impossible to slip. For peace of mind at your most critical connection points, two U-bolt clamps are the ultimate solution.
Their downside is their bulk. They are heavy, slow to install, and can create a snag point if the bolt ends are left sticking out. But for anchoring a heavily tensioned fence that has to withstand the force of a leaning boar, their brute-strength approach is exactly what’s needed.
Dare Twist-Tite Splicer: A Quick-Fix Solution
You’re out in the back pasture when you find it: a snapped wire. The pigs aren’t out yet, but they’re testing the new hole. You don’t have your crimpers with you. This is the perfect scenario for a Twist-Tite splicer.
This simple device is essentially a pre-formed piece of galvanized wire designed for making fast, tool-free splices. You thread your two broken wire ends through the center and then simply wrap the splicer’s pre-formed legs around the main wire. In under a minute, you have a functional repair.
This is the ultimate quick-fix. Keep a few in your pocket or your fencing bucket for emergency repairs. While it may not have the ultimate holding power of a high-compression crimp, it’s surprisingly strong and will certainly get you through until you can make a more permanent repair. For lower-tension interior fences, it can even serve as a permanent solution.
Gallagher Insulated Joiners for Electric Fences
If you’re using an electric wire to keep hogs from pushing on the main fence, the splice is about more than just strength—it’s about conductivity. A poorly made splice creates electrical resistance, which weakens the shock delivered down the line. A weak shock is no deterrent to a thick-hided hog.
Specialized joiners, often called line taps or splicers, are designed to solve this. Many use a bolt-down design that clamps the wires between two conductive metal plates. This ensures a solid, corrosion-resistant connection with maximum electrical flow.
Don’t be tempted to just twist hot wires together by hand. That connection will corrode over time, creating a point of failure for your electrical circuit. Using a proper connector ensures the pig gets the full, memorable jolt you intended, teaching it to respect the fence line from a distance.
Ultimately, the best wire joiner depends entirely on the job at hand. A permanent, high-strength crimp is ideal for a new perimeter fence, while a Gripple offers unbeatable convenience and adjustability. For a quick field repair or a critical anchor point, other tools are better suited. By matching the right clamp to the specific task, you build a fence with no weak links—one that can truly withstand the relentless pressure of a determined hog.
