Possible Art of Escape Forum Topic

[bubbashitz]

I have noticed there are a few folks here like myself who study and practice the art of escape. Having picked and modded locks for that purpose, for almost 40 years, I really enjoy the topic. How about adding a full-time forum topic to this subject? I really mean no dis-respect to the mods of this site it is just an idea. Thanks

[digital_blue]

Well... not necessarily a bad idea in my books, but I don't know if there's enough interest in the subject. I can count on one hand the number of threads I can remember on the topic.

db

[devildog]

I would actually be really interested in an escapology forum (I'm hooked after watching Chris Angel)

[chopitup]

I just picked my way out of being handcuffed to a chair tonight. I'm always up for some escapology.

[helix]

I'll definitely vote in favour of one, although there are
a few magician forums around that have an escapology
section, but it is a bit like the advanced section here, not
just anyone can go, "I'm a magician, let me in" type thing.

You got to prove yourself in there as well.
Google 'magicbunny'.

[Chrispy]

I just picked my way out of being handcuffed to a chair tonight. I'm always up for some escapology.

Chained or hinged?

[devildog]

And why were you there? Hopefully someone else of the female persuasion put you there, hmmm?

[nails]

may look like someones been a little naughty

[Chrispy]

[Greyflex]

I had to take a handcuff class for work a couple days ago. We used the hinged Smith and Wesson cuffs. When cuffed properly, behind the back, I can't imagine how anyone would be able to uncuff themselves, even with the key in hand.

The way we were taught to apply them, the keyhole would be totally unreachable by the subject's right hand, and only theoretically possible from the subject's left hand - if he were able to rotate both wrists within the cuffs about 180 degrees, so that his left hand would be on top.



Subject's back

right hand +++[ ]--------------- right arm. keyholes on this side
L arm -----------[ ]+++ left hand, facing down

It is uncomfortable to even be in these cuffs. Any movement is severely limited. I, personally couldn't rotate my wrist at all, in these cuffs. But maybe my threshold for pain and losing flesh is just too low for the escape biz.

Oh, ya. There's another thread on using a paperclip insert to open cuffs. Someone else mentioned that the trick did not work on certain cuffs. I am pretty sure that even the smallest black clip wire insert would be too thick to get into this keyhole. And it would appear that the L would also be too long.

[devildog]

What about slipping the latch (assuming they don't double lock it)? How many police depts. require that you always double lock cuffs on a suspect? a few, about half, most, almost all?

[digital_blue]

The metal "handle" portion of a bulldog clip (medium sized or smaller) will fit into any S&W handcuffs I've ever seen, including the Winnipeg Police issued cuffs.

I have done an escape from police cuffs (applied by a police officer... for demonstration purposes, of course) but under normal performance circumstances, I prefer to use a pair of "jump cuffs" (as seen on Chris Angel's recent Halloween special). I'll let you guys google that.

As for the awkwardness of it all, yes, it can be quite awkward. It's one of those "practice makes perfect" things. I'm far from perfect, thus the jump cuffs.

db

[devildog]

Hey, maybe you can help on this one DB. What about dislocating your thumb? Or how about the thing we've all seen done on TV (last time I recall seeing it was Mel doing it in Letal Weapon, but it's a lot older than that--believe Houdini did it, but I could be wrong) where someone gets out of a straight jacket by dislocating their shoulder? Does it work? How practical is it? Do people with 'double-jointed' fingers/knuckles have a certain way they can slip out of cuffs if they know what they're doing?

[chopitup]

I just picked my way out of being handcuffed to a chair tonight. I'm always up for some escapology.

Chained or hinged?

One of each.

[chopitup]

Sorry for the double post. Give me an edit button.

I've found that the chained ones I can get out of even when double locked. (The brand I have is Valor.) The chain gives you wonderful flexibility as opposed to the hinged which are downright uncomfortable. I would honestly question my ability to get out of the double locked hinged version with the keyhole correctly facing away from my hands if they were behind my back. It would definately give me a run for my money. I can get out of them when they are in front of me, but it's quite hard if they are double locked and the keyhole is facing away from my hands. (Have to use my mouth to get the angle to open it). If I were double locked into the hinged and could get them in front of me, I can get out of them. I've done it once, it was painful and time consuming and worth not asking my friend to unlock me as he would never let me live it down.

http://www.valorcorp.com/Products/produ ... em=5031910
Those are my Valor cuffs.