How many crimps are most of you use on 3/32 aluminum ferrules for earth anchors? I've been doing 3 but wonder if 2 would be better.

Only two here.

Two here also.

Why would 2 be better?

I've only ever used 2

I do three just because it seems like the ferrule looks more streamlined and looks neat when it's finished. Guarantee it doesn't catch me any more critters tho

2....simply because

Three on my 1/8" double ferral

x2

If you're not using a bench mounted swager, hammering the ferrule can be a great shortcut. But, that wasn't the question.

Ive always done like USMC said....smash em.

Crimpers are fairly expensive....I already own hammers. I'm careful not to smash em so hard they beat up the cable.

I learned the technique building leaders for shark fishing. Again...I was too cheap to cough up the money for crimpers.

Knock on wood...I've never had a ferrule failure.

When I first started using cable earth anchors i made up several dozen crimping them once with a hand held crimper. On the very first set, when I went to set the anchor the cable came out of the ground. Thinking this was a fluke, I put in another one and the same thing happened! I returned immediately to the shop and double crimped enough for the day. I then bought a bench mounted crimper and now crimp twice in the small end. No problem since even when the catch was a large adult wolf.