Handcuff locks

[casper111]

I was on the SO site and looked at the handcuff section, the key of the handcuffs looked very plain.
My question is, are all keys the same for all the handcuffs, or does each pair have the key designed for that pair specifically , just like any lock?
Thank you.

[spoonzor]

(almost) all the same.

[rob sikate]

its really easy to buy a skeleton key for most handcuffs.

[i_b_larry]

Over the years I have found very slight differences in handcuff keys, mostly in the height of the protruding pin. Peerless handcuffs in particular seem to use a much thinner pin and most other keys won't open them. But I have found keys that will open Peerless and most other makes. If you encounter a pair of cuffs where your key will not turn, my first suggestion is to file a little bit off the length of the key and try again.

[Squelchtone]

its really easy to buy a skeleton key for most handcuffs.

I wouldn't call it a skeleton key, just a standard handcuff key. Saying it's a skeleton key suggests it is somehow a specially made custom key that opens all or most handcuffs. It's just a plain old spare key, so if you buy handcuffs on Amazon or ebay, now your keys are also going to open most other handcuffs out there.

Squelchtone

[smokingman]

Good info on various handcuffs and keys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CTUx4Z ... ata_player

[calipicker]

Check out Kelly Alwood's videos on Youtube. He really knows his stuff on handcuffs.

[casper111]

Thank you, very much appreciated. The you tube videos were quite helpful.
Also @Squelchtone my compliments on the signature.
Casper.

[docjon]

One of the cool things going now are little containers that fit on ur belt that hold a handcuff key. Some in the back if ur ever handcuffed in the back and others for the front. Check me out. Pretty neat. Jon

[KPick]

Pickinf handcuffs is a two stage process. First you have to find the double locking mechanism on the side of the handcuffs. There should be a small hole on the side of the handcuffs that you should be ale to push, according to the video I watched. You can push in this hole and the doible locking mechanism should be removed. Then after you can pick the hand cuffs with a key or hook. I watched this on the lock picking for the new mellenium dvd.

[smokingman]

Actually, pushing in the in the liitle peg in that hole
enables the double lock. This for the peg on the handle end of the key to fit in.
Turning the key in the one direction unlocks the
double lock , then the other direction unlocks the cuffs.
As long as the peg in the hole is not pushed in, they are only single locked.
All my cuffs and leg irons ect. work this way.
On a side note, you can use the springs that go under
batteries in old radios, flashlights and such (if they are no longer working)
and straighten them out with a pair of pliers to make very strong wire tools for
picking cuffs and other lever type locks.

[KPick]

Sorry. I must have had memory interference. Forget what I said about the double locking feature. The guy above me is right.

[GWiens2001]

Don't forget step 3 - recovery in the hospital after you are shot for trying to escape custody.

For those who are learning this stuff for hobby interest, go for it! But using it in real life to escape police custody is a life-risking thing.

Gordon

[Luissen]

defeating handcuffs is an interesting icebreaker at a party, but I honestly don't think I could do it with a gun pointed at me. It's surprising how the design for them has remained the same for so long, either indicating the design is 'perfect' (nothing is really perfect) or 'close enough' that for the complexity(price) to effectiveness ratio is perfect. Handcuffs were one of many things I enjoyed toying around with leading up to my eventual picking hobby/addiction

[Jestertac1]

Don't forget step 3 - recovery in the hospital after you are shot for trying to escape custody.

For those who are learning this stuff for hobby interest, go for it! But using it in real life to escape police custody is a life-risking thing.

Gordon

I knew some friends that had been victims of a home invasion break-in. They were handcuffed during the event.

Handcuff picking is a good skill to know, as well as defeating common zip ties. You never know when it might come in handy.