What Is Razor Wire?
You may first assume that razor wire is conventional barbed wire as both offer a strong and effective intruder deterrent. There are, however, differences between the two.
Razor wire, also called barbed tape or ribbon wire, is a premium product far sharper than normal barbed wire. It is made from a mesh of ‘razor-sharp’ metal strips with razor-flat barbs designed to penetrate clothing and flesh and cause significant damage or injury to anyone touching or attempting to climb over it. Razor wire offers one of the most powerful physical and psychological deterrents to intruders, thieves, and other unwanted visitors, which is why you find razor wire fences used to offer ultimate protection around the perimeters of prisons, construction and industrial sites, hospitals, laboratories, stadiums, substations, defence facilities, and other areas where a high level of security is necessary.
In contrast, barbed wire has sharp, pointed spikes (barbs) that are knotted into the wire frame at various points and are designed to catch on clothes and puncture the skin of intruders that attempt to climb the fence or gain entry. Although barbed wire is still a strong deterrent and is more affordable than razor wire, it isn’t as sharp or as threatening, so it poses a less effective deterrent and offers a lower level of protection for your site.
