Stopping Bad Guys and Hostiles

One of the most effective ways to fortify your property is by utilizing concertina wire, razor wire, and barbed wire on fences and around your home.

GEAR & TOOLSSHTF & SECURITYWARHOME DEFENSE

8/29/20246 min read

burglar stopped by home owner stuck in razor wire on a Coronet magazine cover

Using Concertina, Razor Wire, and Barbed Wire for Home Defense During Social Unrest and SHTF

In times of social unrest or when the Doodoo Hits the Fan (SHTF), securing your home becomes a top priority. One of the most effective ways to fortify your property is by utilizing concertina wire, razor wire, and barbed wire on fences and around your home. These barriers not only deter intruders but also provide valuable evidence if an attempted breach occurs. In this article, we'll explore how these materials can be used effectively, discuss their benefits in collecting DNA evidence, and consider the potential advantages of scavenging resources from hostile intruders caught in the wire during SHTF scenarios.

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I remember the day a client called me from his ranch out in Southern Kentucky. His voice carried the weight of urgency, and there was a controlled tension beneath his words. He’d spotted what he described as “unauthorized personnel” scouting the edges of his property, armed with more than curiosity. Living in a rural environment, he had land stretching farther than his eyes could see, roughly 400 acres, and a limited number of hands to defend it. That’s when we had the hard conversation about proactive defense strategies. He had cattle segmented with barb wire, but there was a hay field that was open to allow trucks to haul in and our. On the border of the tree line was where trespassers were getting curious.

Rural disaster planning is different than urban planning. Rural areas can lull one into a false sense of security with their open skies and distant horizons, but isolation can quickly become vulnerability when hostile actors are at play. The first line of defense, I’ve often told clients, is not your rifle—it’s your perimeter defense that is the buffer which gives you time to user your rifle more effectively and stay safer. That’s where the tools of the trade come into play, specifically razor wire and barbed wire. These materials aren’t relics of the past; they’re enduring necessities for safeguarding your home and your family.

The trick is knowing when to prep. Threats in rural environments don’t announce themselves with the fanfare of a Hollywood action sequence. Often, they creep in through subtle signs: unfamiliar tire tracks on a dirt road, the disappearance of livestock, or even local chatter about strangers passing through town. These are the breadcrumbs that, if ignored, can lead to a crisis.

Once you’ve identified the need to fortify your property, razor wire and barbed wire become your allies. Each has its place. Razor wire is a psychological and physical deterrent, best deployed in areas where you want to send a clear message: “Turn back now.” Its razor-sharp edges can inflict serious harm, which means it’s not only a tool of defense but also a statement of seriousness. Barbed wire, on the other hand, is versatile and can create layered barriers. A single strand won’t do; you’ll want multiple rows, strategically placed to funnel movement and control access. During a disaster, the razor wire will act as shtf booby traps and should truly only be used in rural environments like a farm during such emergencies. There are a lot of wild game that will inevitably get injured on razor wire (NOT the same thing as barb wire).

The effectiveness of these materials is amplified by placement. A farm isn’t a uniform space. It’s a patchwork of fields, pastures, and structures. Placing razor wire along the tops of fences around critical areas—such as livestock pens, tool sheds, and water sources—creates choke points that slow down or deter intruders. Barbed wire, on the other hand, can be stretched along the edges of your property to create a broader perimeter.

Preparation in a rural setting isn’t just about the physical act of installing barriers; it’s about understanding your environment and the resources at your disposal. For instance, the terrain plays a significant role. Rocky soil might complicate the installation of posts, requiring additional time and specialized equipment. Similarly, the availability of natural barriers, like dense tree lines, can augment your man-made defenses, saving you time and resources.

In my years working with clients who live off the beaten path, I’ve come to appreciate the delicate balance between preparedness and maintaining the functionality of a property. A farm, after all, isn’t a fortress—it’s a living, breathing operation. Razor wire and barbed wire must be installed in ways that don’t impede the day-to-day workings of the land. Gates must remain operable, paths accessible, and livestock safe from entanglement. With the exception of making your a home a bulletproof bunker, the farm should appear normal and accessible.

Hostile combatants, whether they’re opportunistic thieves or more organized threats, rely on the element of surprise. By the time they’ve reached your doorstep, it’s too late to act. This is why preparation must begin the moment you recognize the signs of encroachment. The strategic use of barriers buys you time and peace of mind. The sight of razor wire glinting in the sunlight isn’t just a deterrent—it’s a reminder to any would-be aggressor that they’ve chosen the wrong target.

Understanding the Different Types of Wire Defense

Concertina Wire: Often used by military forces, concertina wire is a type of barbed or razor wire that forms large coils, which can be expanded like an accordion. When deployed, it creates a nearly impassable barrier. It is particularly effective in crowd control and perimeter defense due to its dense and intimidating structure.

Razor Wire: Razor wire is a mesh of metal strips with sharp edges, designed to prevent passage by tearing through clothing and flesh. It's more aggressive than barbed wire and is often used in high-security areas. Its effectiveness lies in its ability to inflict serious injury, which not only stops the intruder but also acts as a psychological deterrent.

Barbed Wire: The most common and widely used, barbed wire consists of a series of sharp barbs twisted around a wire. It’s less lethal than razor wire but still effective in slowing down intruders and marking the perimeter of your property.

The Strategic Use of Wire Defense During Social Unrest

During periods of social unrest or in a SHTF situation, the primary goal is to keep hostile individuals away from your property. By strategically placing concertina, razor, or barbed wire around your home, you create multiple layers of defense that can slow down or completely halt intruders. Here are some key strategies:

Perimeter Fencing: Installing wire along the top and sides of your perimeter fence is the first line of defense. Razor wire is particularly effective here due to its lethality. Intruders are less likely to attempt scaling a fence lined with razor wire, knowing the severe injuries it can cause.
Barrier Creation: In areas where you anticipate a higher threat level, such as entry points or weak spots in your fencing, consider deploying concertina wire. Its dense coils make it nearly impossible to cross without sustaining injury, buying you valuable time to react.
Layered Defense: Combining barbed wire with razor wire creates a layered defense that’s difficult to breach. For example, barbed wire can be placed at knee height to entangle legs, while razor wire can be placed higher to prevent climbing.

DNA Evidence and Intruder Identification

One of the often-overlooked benefits of using wire defenses is their ability to collect DNA evidence. Razor wire and barbed wire are designed to tear through skin and clothing, which means any intruder attempting to breach your property is likely to leave behind traces of their DNA. This can include blood, hair, or pieces of clothing caught in the wire. In a post-event scenario where law and order are restored, this evidence can be handed over to the police to help identify and prosecute the intruders.

Scavenging Resources from Hostiles

In a full-blown SHTF scenario, every resource becomes valuable. If an intruder is caught in your wire defenses, especially razor wire, there’s a high likelihood they’ll be incapacitated or killed. This unfortunate reality presents an opportunity to scavenge resources from the hostile individual. Weapons, ammunition, gear, and even clothing can be taken and used to bolster your own survival efforts. However, this should be done with caution, as handling the body or possessions of a hostile may present its own risks, such as disease or potential retaliation from others.

Advanced Methods for Slowing Down Hostiles

For those looking to take their defensive strategies to the next level, consider exploring advanced methods for slowing down hostiles as described in the ebook Slowing Down Hostile Combatants. This resource delves into a range of tactics designed to create obstacles that are difficult for any intruder to overcome, from setting up physical barriers to creating psychological deterrents. It’s an essential read for anyone serious about fortifying their property in preparation for worst-case scenarios.