Second Choice Steel Wire

Second choice steel wire — also called 2nd grade, non-prime, or secondary wire — is wire that falls outside a specific customer order specification but is otherwise sound material. It may have minor surface imperfections, a slight gauge variation, cosmetic defects, or it may simply be overstock prime material that a mill is liquidating. In many cases, second choice wire is functionally identical to prime.

Continental Trading Corp. has specialized in second choice and non-prime steel wire for over 40 years. We source directly from the largest steel wire producers in North America — the same mills that produce wire for major North American industries — and we export to buyers in Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, Europe, and beyond.

What Types of Second Choice Wire Do We Carry?

Our second choice wire inventory spans over 20 product types: carbon wire (bright, galvanized, annealed), specialty wire (music wire, spring wire, oil tempered, PC wire), industrial wire (baling wire, strapping wire, wire rope), and coated wire (Galfan, brass plated, aluminum clad). Diameter ranges, tensile grades, and coatings vary by lot.

Why Our Customers Switch from Prime

Our customers typically achieve 20–40% cost savings compared to ordering prime from a mill. For end users with flexible specifications — wire drawers, fabricators, manufacturers — this translates directly to wider margins. Many customers stop ordering prime entirely once they verify that our material meets their process requirements. Others repurpose our wire for products that simply wouldn't be viable at prime pricing.

How the Process Works

Browse our product list and contact us with your requirements. Tell us the wire type, diameter, tensile, and quantity you need. We'll match available inventory to your specifications and send relevant offers as they become available. We respond to all inquiries promptly.