Barbed wire. Wonderfully versatile stuff, but how does one model it in Gn15? Richard Andrews found the answer and I can share his secret with you!

Photograph © Steve Bennett

The barbed wire that Richard used, which can be seen to good effect above, was made from a net material used in hospitals to reinforce plaster casts for broken limbs, it is known as scrim, but that may differ depending on where you are. This net has quite a wide mesh and is made of an almost transparent nylon like material which, when the light catches it, takes on an almost silvery appearance. The barbed wire is simply cut from this net a strand at a time.

Do not fear, though, if you don’t have access to medical supplies like this as there are alternatives. A quick search around my house came up with two types of net which will suit the purpose:

Two alternatives to scrim

On the left is a net bag in which an Air Plant arrived (I kept the net bag just for this purpose). The one on the right had onions in it and, although red in colour, with a bit of weathering would be suitable for rusty wire. There are many other sources, even the wife’s fishnet stockings could be used, but you didn’t get that one from me ;-).

One final tip, if you twist the barbed wire when you attach it to your fence posts, this gives a more realistic look with the spikes coming out in different directions. Well that’s about it. A lot cheaper than using etched brass wire and a great way of recycling!