Handcuff Picks

[doublez]

As long as this board is semi-serious now, I figure It'd be nice to compile a list of improv handcuff keys. Here's what I've used:

Picks

• The classic bobby pin
• Safety pin
• Binder clip (the black clips with 2 metal wires that you can squeeze to open it)
• Actual lockpicks

Shims

• Soda/beer cans (hard to cut them while you're cuffed though )
• Dollar bills (Gotten it to work once or twice, but it's very difficult.)
• Tension wrenches

Other

• Handcuff keys

Feel free to add anything else that you've unlocked handcuffs with.

- doublez

[somenewguy]

Momentum

[MBI]

Ink tube from a cheapie ballpoint pen.

[doublez]

Momentum

Just the double lock, correct?

A friend of mine had the idea of "picking" the double lock with magnets to pull it back, but I haven't tested it yet...

Ink tube from a cheapie ballpoint pen.

Wow...
Did you modify it in any way?

[MBI]

Wow...
Did you modify it in any way?

Yes.
On it's own, the tube will do nothing but stick into the keyhole and turn without doing anything.

To modify it, you can use your teeth but it's very difficult to do.
If you value your teeth you really should use a knife or nail clippers to cut and fold out from the plastic ink tube, the "flag" looking piece that sticks out from the end of the handcuff key and lifts the pawl.

[doublez]

To modify it, you can use your teeth but it's very difficult to do.
If you value your teeth you really should use a knife or nail clippers to cut and fold out from the plastic ink tube, the "flag" looking piece that sticks out from the end of the handcuff key and lifts the pawl.

Neat trick Just got it to work for me with the inside of a mechanical pencil.

[allan501]

A long hook works well. You want the thickest spring steel to resist twisting.

[smokingman]

A hollow half diamond pick works well, especially my
home made from wind shield wiper strips
picks since they are so strong.
And the regular hooks as well.

[hag3l3]

Add these to the list. Worked out fine ...
1: mechanical pencil clip
2: paper clip metal
3: plastic straw stirrers
4: my friends old glasses
5: belt buckle though not a practical application took way to long
6: syringe
7: chicken wire
8: metal can key from sardines. Eat the sardines first it takes a little time.
9: tail light clip older model British imports.
last one.....
trunk lock clip off lock. Takes patience.. lots of it.

[smokingman]

I noticed in Silence of the Lambs , that Hannibal Lector used the tube from an ink pen to escape
his restraints ( cuffs/irons ).
It did not show exactly how he used it but it made it clear that he had stolen it and next thing you know, he is free.

[somenewguy]

Momentum

Just the double lock, correct?

A friend of mine had the idea of "picking" the double lock with magnets to pull it back, but I haven't tested it yet...

Ink tube from a cheapie ballpoint pen.

Wow...
Did you modify it in any way?

You can pull the pawl(s) down by slamming them in the right direction and open the cuffs.

[smokingman]

You modify the pen tube by cutting a small strip and bending it out to act as the bit
so that it moves the pawl when turned like a key would.

[doublez]

You can pull the pawl(s) down by slamming them in the right direction and open the cuffs.

Impressive... I've seen that trick with the double lock before, but I had no idea it could work on the pawl.

[MBI]

You can pull the pawl(s) down by slamming them in the right direction and open the cuffs.

Impressive... I've seen that trick with the double lock before, but I had no idea it could work on the pawl.

I've seen a lot of antique cuffs that could be opened that way but I haven't seen anyone make that work with modern cuffs, except for unlocking the double lock. Even then it only works on some models. If anyone can consistently make it work to unlock the pawl on modern cuffs and fully open them, I'd like to know what make and model it was if you're willing to share the information.

[jk2k5]

http://www.tuffkuffs.com/

good luck picking these with both hands turned away from the key ways.