Abstract: A length of wire of uniform composition throughout has end portions of circular cross section bent into the form of mutually interengageable loops with free ends. The loops can be interengaged and then drawn into a knot by endwise tension applied to the wire. The portion of the wire intermediate the end portions is of uniform oval cross section of such less area than the circular cross section of the end portion that, when the wire is subjected to a direct tensile pull, its load capacity approaches more nearly the load capacity of the knot than in prior wire bale ties. The longest cross sectional dimension of the intermediate portion of the wire is juxtaposed flatwise against the bale in the installed condition of the tie.