When I was a jackeroo after leaving school, one of the first things I learnt was how to tie knots in wire. There were a few different knots, but the main ones I still use today were the figure 8, two loops, and tying off a strainer. Since then gripples were invented in 1988 by a Welshman by the name of Hugh Facey. I can’t deny gripples are brilliant, but they are also expensive (depending on how you value your labour) and I find the modern gripples slip more than the old ones did (maybe that’s just me longing for the good old days).
I first bought a set of fencing pliers when I was 16. That was a long, long time ago. Although I have lost a few pairs, I do still have my original Maun pliers. There is all sorts of equipment available on eBay, and much of it is rubbish. Imagine I have had pliers for over 40 years and they still work well. As a minimum I suggest top quality pliers and top quality wire strainers. Bolt cutters are also essential for cutting high tensile wire, but I have found cheap bolt cutters work fine.
I also have my original Hayes Wire strainers and they are the best. Mine have long lost the spring which suits me. There are cheap Chinese copies available, but why risk using them? Wire straining is potentially dangerous, so using the best possible equipment is essential.
If you are handling plain wire, you also need a wire spinner. These can range from home made to commercial models. It is virtually impossible to handle plain wire without a spinner. We only have horse on the farm now, and I prefer plain wire electric fences everywhere.
Maun side cutting fencing pliersHayes wire strainers still made in New ZealandSteel post driverGallager spinner.
There are a lot of other tools, of course, and they can be accumulated over time. A post hole shovel and crow bar come to mind.
