1. Holding staples or U nails to start them

Starting nail staples is very unforgiving to the fingers. You are more than likely to crash into them a couple of times before the nail starts to go in. The good this is that the fence pliers are designed to let you install staples without ever hitting your fingers.

The two round grips on the top hold the staples for you so that you can hit hard with a hammer without crashing into your fingers. I used an extra pair of regular pliers in the past to grip the staples but when this tool came, it changed the game completely. The tool holds staples so naturally. It is the real deal for holding fence staples.

2. Digging out sunken staples

The fence pliers have pointed claw or spike that looks like a parrot’s beak for digging behind old staples and pulling them out. The curved head provides better leverage for prying out the nails.

You can even dig into those tight sunken staples to create a gripping point for the staple puller.

3. Pulling fence staples

Although you can use the spike to pull out staples, the staple puller jaws are the best for that job. They hook onto a staple and pull it out when you roll the tool over the curved head. Both the spike and staple puller work effectively together for pulling buried staples. You use the spike to dig out the overdriven fence nail and the staple puller to pull it out.

4. Separating twisted wire

You can use fencing pliers to separate double-stranded wire. Just grip the wire with the jagged edge of the circular top grip and twist the pliers around. This will untwist the wire strands.

Twisting strands of wire can be very important when you want to use just a single strand of wire. For example, the double-strand smooth wire is usually heavy duty and you can use just a single strand to strain a mesh fence.

5. Splicing fencing wire together

Splicing refers to making joints. You can use the fence pliers to bend heavy duty fencing wire or make wire for splicing wires. To do this, route the wire through the serrated circular grip on the head of the pliers and bend it over to make a loop. Then use a pair of regular pliers to twist the tail of the loop around the wire. This makes a very strong loop that you can hook another wire onto to make a strong joint.

6. Tensioning wire

The jaws on the handle side right next to the pivot are for tensioning wire. You can use them to apply tension to the wire by gripping the wire and twisting it around the pliers. Alternatively, you can grip the wire strongly with the jaws and push the pliers against a strong pole to stretch it as a helper installs nails.

7. Cutting fencing wire

Fence pliers have very strong and sharp cutting edges. They cut thick fencing wires like butter. You can use them to cut different gauges of wire with one hand or both. It depends on how thick the wire is. The pliers are strong enough to even cut the two strands of barbed wire in one go.

8. Hammering nails

Fencing pliers have a hammerhead for hitting nails. It is good for knocking just a couple pof nails but not for serious hammering. So, the pliers are not a replacement for your claw hammer.