6 Best Staple Pullers For Removing Old Fence Staples Old Farmers Swear By
Tackle stubborn fence staples with ease. We review 6 top-rated staple pullers that seasoned farmers rely on for their leverage, durability, and speed.
There’s a special kind of frustration that comes from staring down a long line of old fencing, knowing every single rusted staple is a battle waiting to happen. Using the wrong tool turns a straightforward job into a knuckle-busting, post-splintering nightmare. The right staple puller, however, feels less like a tool and more like a magic wand for making old fences disappear.
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Why a Good Staple Puller Saves Time and Fencing
Let’s be honest, prying out old fence staples with a screwdriver and pliers is a miserable task. You splinter the post, bend the wire you were hoping to reuse, and wear out your hands in the process. A tool that isn’t designed for the job will fight you every step of the way.
A proper staple puller changes the entire equation. Its hardened, sharp tip gets under the staple head without gouging the wood. The tool’s design gives you the leverage to pop the staple out cleanly, often with a single, satisfying motion. This speed is critical when you have hundreds of feet of fence to tear down.
More importantly, a good puller preserves your materials. You can save expensive fence posts from being chewed up, allowing them to be used again. You can also salvage the wire, which is a huge cost savings. That small investment in a dedicated tool pays for itself by saving just a few posts and a roll of wire.
DEWALT DWHT70273: An All-in-One Fencing Plier
The DEWALT is the multi-tool of the fencing world. It’s designed for the person who wants one tool on their belt that can handle most common repairs. It has a staple puller, a staple starter, wire cutters, and a hammer face.
This all-in-one approach is its biggest strength and its main weakness. For quick fixes—tightening a loose wire, replacing a handful of staples—it’s incredibly convenient. You can grab it and go without lugging a whole toolbox out to the back pasture.
However, a jack-of-all-trades is a master of none. The staple puller claw is effective but not as aggressive as a dedicated tool. If your primary task is tearing down an entire fence line with deeply embedded staples, you’ll find yourself wishing for a tool with more specialized leverage and a sharper bite.
Crescent 13" Fence Tool: A Time-Tested Classic
You will find a version of this tool in countless farm workshops, and for good reason. The Crescent 13" fencing plier is a simple, brutally effective design that has been proven over decades. It’s not flashy, but it is reliable.
Its strength lies in its straightforward construction. The long handles provide excellent leverage, making it easier to pull stubborn staples and cut thick-gauge wire. The head combines a corrugated hammer, a staple puller, and cutters in a compact, powerful package.
This is the kind of tool you buy once and use for thirty years. It’s built for work, not for show. For someone who needs a dependable, do-it-all fencing plier for general maintenance and moderate projects, this classic design is hard to beat.
Channellock 85: A Durable, American-Made Option
Channellock has a reputation for building tools that last, and their Model 85 fencing plier is no exception. Made in the USA from high-carbon steel, it feels substantial in your hands. This is a tool built for professionals and serious hobbyists who are tired of replacing cheaper alternatives.
Functionally, it’s very similar to the Crescent, offering a combination of pulling, hammering, and cutting features. Where it stands out is in the fit and finish. The cutters are sharp and hold their edge, the joints are tight, and the iconic blue grips are comfortable even after a long day of work.
The tradeoff is the price. You’ll pay a premium for the Channellock name and quality. But if you view tools as a long-term investment, the durability and performance make it a worthwhile purchase. It’s a tool you’ll be proud to own and pass down.
Estwing Pro-Claw: For Deeply Embedded Staples
This isn’t your standard fencing plier; it’s a specialized weapon for staple extraction. The Estwing Pro-Claw is essentially a pry bar optimized for one job: yanking the most stubborn, deeply buried fasteners imaginable. It shines where multi-tools fail.
Imagine a 50-year-old oak or locust post where the staple is now one with the wood. The Pro-Claw’s thin, sharp tips can be hammered under the staple crown, and its rocker head provides massive leverage against the post to pry it out. It’s a lifesaver for salvaging old, hardened wood posts.
The obvious downside is its lack of versatility. It only pulls staples and nails. You’ll still need a separate hammer and wire cutters. But for a large-scale fence removal project, pairing this tool with a good set of cutters will be far faster and less fatiguing than using any multi-tool alone.
Gunnebo Industries Puller: Heavy-Duty Leverage
When you need maximum force with minimum effort, the Gunnebo-style puller is in a class of its own. This tool is all about leverage. Its long handles and uniquely shaped head are designed to use the fence post itself as a fulcrum, multiplying the force you apply.
Using it is simple: hook the claw under the staple, rest the curved head against the post, and pull the handles. Even deeply sunk, rusted staples pop out with surprising ease. This tool is a true back-saver and is the go-to for clearing long stretches of old, tough fencing.
Like the Estwing, this is a highly specialized tool. It’s bulky, it only pulls staples, and it’s overkill for small repair jobs. But if you’re facing the daunting task of removing thousands of staples, the efficiency of this puller makes it an essential piece of equipment.
TEKTON 3503 Fencing Pliers: A Solid Value Pick
Quickly remove staples and splice wire with these versatile fencing pliers. Featuring durable wire cutting shears and a staple claw for easy removal, this tool simplifies fence maintenance.
Not everyone needs a professional-grade, lifetime tool for the amount of fencing they do. The TEKTON fencing plier is an excellent choice for the hobby farmer on a budget or someone who only does fence work a few times a year. It provides all the essential functions without the premium price tag.
It follows the classic multi-tool design with a hammer, cutter, and puller. It gets the job done for general repairs and light-duty projects. For someone building their first tool collection, it’s a perfectly sensible and affordable starting point.
Be realistic about what you’re getting. The steel may not be as hard as a Channellock, so the cutters might dull faster with heavy use. But for the price, its performance is more than adequate for most small-farm tasks. It’s a workhorse, not a show pony.
Key Features in a Reliable Fence Staple Puller
When you’re comparing options, a few key features make all the difference. The most important is the puller claw itself. It needs to be sharp enough to dig under a flush staple but thick enough that the tips won’t bend or break when you apply pressure.
Next, consider leverage and handle length. Longer handles mean more pulling power with less effort from you. This is the single biggest factor in reducing hand fatigue during a long day of work. Comfortable, non-slip grips are also a huge plus.
Look at the material and construction. Forged steel is significantly stronger and more durable than cast metal. A tool made from high-carbon steel will hold its edge longer and withstand the abuse of being used as a hammer.
Finally, decide between a multi-tool and a dedicated puller. For all-around maintenance, a multi-tool is efficient. For a big demolition job, the speed and power of a dedicated puller like an Estwing or Gunnebo will save you hours of labor and frustration. Your choice should match the reality of the work you have ahead of you.
Ultimately, the best staple puller is the one that makes a tough job feel manageable. Investing a few extra dollars in a quality tool doesn’t just save you time; it saves your hands, your back, and your valuable fencing materials. Choose wisely, and you’ll spend less time fighting with your fence and more time enjoying your farm.
