Handcuff locks

[GWiens2001]

Have handcuff/zip tie shims, and handcuff keys. In several places around the house. Also have opened handcuffs with stiff wire tools, too. Was more trying to be sure the kids here don't think it would be cool to try escaping from cops. As I said, for learning as hobby of just interest, go for it. Just don't try to escape lawful custody.

Gordon

[mechanical_nightmare]

This thread has gotten me interested in handcuffs and zipties now As for the police comments, if whatever you're doing lands you in police custody with handcuffs on, you've messed up big time or just innocent and unlucky. Either way bypassing the handcuff locks and attempting to escape is a very bad idea.

[cdf]

Handcuffs always faccinate newbies at sport lockpicking get togethers , for that reason I always keep a key and a shim in my pick case . Just in case the owner of the cuffs mislaid his or her key . I'm the only one who has hinged cuffs at our chapter . I give newbies a brief rundown on how they work , and common scence / safety . Our group has never had anyone get out of hinged cuffs , properly applied , and double locked . Banging them against a vice , or work bench is not allowed , for obvious safety reasons .

One of these days , I might start collecting them .

Chris

[HerrMannelig]

A factor that is often overlooked is that removing handcuffs, even single locked, behind one's back is quite difficult, even with the key.

Most picking and manipulation of handcuffs is with them in front of the person or not even being used as a restraint.

I would bet that most people would take a very long time or fail to remove handcuffs which are properly applied, regardless of whether they are single or double locked, and even if they had the key, prepared picks, and the best shims.

Properly applied handcuffs picture

Understanding how they work, and how to manipulate them is educational, but the common "escape" fantasy is potentially dangerous and unrealistic.

Also, picking them is usually misguided. It usually involves a bobby pin or paper clip. In reality, bobby pins often take a lot of shaping and cutting to be able to use them, and paper clips may be too thick or too weak, and picking the double lock on commonly used models may be impossible using such improvised tools. The best pick is a prepared key, covert or otherwise.

I carry a handcuff key on my keychain just in case.

[mechanical_nightmare]

HerrMannelig wrote:
Also, picking them is usually misguided. It usually involves a bobby pin or paper clip. In reality, bobby pins often take a lot of shaping and cutting to be able to use them, and paper clips may be too thick or too weak, and picking the double lock on commonly used models may be impossible using such improvised tools.

This reminds me of The Silence of the Lambs when Dr. Hannibal Lecter uses a pen clip, shaped by his teeth, to unlock his handcuffs with disastrous and fatal consequences. Fantasies and Hollywood aside, I think with enough practice you could be able to unlock them behind your back, especially the chain link handcuffs. I will give it a try as soon as I get the cuffs

[HerrMannelig]

HerrMannelig wrote:
Also, picking them is usually misguided. It usually involves a bobby pin or paper clip. In reality, bobby pins often take a lot of shaping and cutting to be able to use them, and paper clips may be too thick or too weak, and picking the double lock on commonly used models may be impossible using such improvised tools.

This reminds me of The Silence of the Lambs when Dr. Hannibal Lecter uses a pen clip, shaped by his teeth, to unlock his handcuffs with disastrous and fatal consequences. Fantasies and Hollywood aside, I think with enough practice you could be able to unlock them behind your back, especially the chain link handcuffs. I will give it a try as soon as I get the cuffs

Be careful. Practice means wearing the handcuffs and that is potentially dangerous.

Don't try as soon as you get them. Make sure you have the mobility to get your hands in front of you, and move your wrists properly. Also, alter the handcuffs so you can break them off (replace a link in the chain with something you can break), or have somebody near to help should you get stuck.

Good luck. It was fun to do and practice, but I concluded that no matter what skill I developed, such things are for emergencies only. There is no way to guarantee the type of handcuffs used, or how they are applied. Also, shimming is the absolutely last thing to try, as many times, one needs to tighten the handcuffs for it to work, and if it fails, you are in a worse situation.

It is a lot more awkward and uncomfortable than many would think. As a skill, it is good to learn, but it is also a lot like CPR...only something one would use when there is nothing else to do, and it probably won't work.

[mechanical_nightmare]

HerrMannelig wrote: Be careful. Practice means wearing the handcuffs and that is potentially dangerous.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll most likely have my brother with me when I do it. Here is a cautionary tale about why you should not lock yourself up with handcuffs:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/4264282.stm

[HerrMannelig]

HerrMannelig wrote: Be careful. Practice means wearing the handcuffs and that is potentially dangerous.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll most likely have my brother with me when I do it. Here is a cautionary tale about why you should not lock yourself up with handcuffs:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/4264282.stm

That is sad

Here is more: http://www.myfoxny.com/Story/22956040/f ... -get-stuck

This sort of thing seems to be getting more common too. The last thing we want is to find out that the person was doing it for locksport...

[Jestertac1]

We have a retired Sheriff (Alabama) where I work who said they were trained to always cuff people with the keyway pointed up, or facing away from their fingers.

Picking behind your back would be really tough even with a key but a non-trained individual (aka thug) might not know this simple tip.

[GWiens2001]

Also, have the backs of the hands facing each other, so their fingers are on the wrong side of the cuffs.

Gordon

[brandonlee79]

Handcuff design hasn't changed much through recent years. However that being said, doc does use a device that goes over the handcuffs. It's a black box type cover. Covers the key holes and such. Locks with a padlock. It makes it virtually impossible to escape the cuffs.

[KarlR]

Been interested lately in ordering some cuffs to try out picking them ( because,well to be honest..I watch too many movies )
What's the most common set used by police?just a standard smith and wesson pair?
Can anyone recommend a set to get that is used by authorities etc?id be afraid if I just bought a random pair they would be an easy imitation that would be too simple to pick!thanks all!

[HerrMannelig]

Been interested lately in ordering some cuffs to try out picking them ( because,well to be honest..I watch too many movies )
What's the most common set used by police?just a standard smith and wesson pair?
Can anyone recommend a set to get that is used by authorities etc?id be afraid if I just bought a random pair they would be an easy imitation that would be too simple to pick!thanks all!

Where are you?

Smith & Wesson and Peerless are the most common in the USA.

They are high quality.

[Squelchtone]

Been interested lately in ordering some cuffs to try out picking them ( because,well to be honest..I watch too many movies )
What's the most common set used by police?just a standard smith and wesson pair?
Can anyone recommend a set to get that is used by authorities etc?id be afraid if I just bought a random pair they would be an easy imitation that would be too simple to pick!thanks all!

Where are you?

Smith & Wesson and Peerless are the most common in the USA.

They are high quality.

I'm happy to say my city is where both of their offices are based out of (their cuffs not necessarily manufactured there however) =)

[KarlR]

Been interested lately in ordering some cuffs to try out picking them ( because,well to be honest..I watch too many movies )
What's the most common set used by police?just a standard smith and wesson pair?
Can anyone recommend a set to get that is used by authorities etc?id be afraid if I just bought a random pair they would be an easy imitation that would be too simple to pick!thanks all!

Where are you?

Smith & Wesson and Peerless are the most common in the USA.

They are high quality.

Right now I am living in BC,Canada,but as of next week,I will be relocating to Brisbane Australia

Yeah I was looking at the smith and wesson ones,I went to my local gun/general store today to pick some up but they were sold out guess I will have to order some online.
But yeah,I was pretty set on getting some smith and wesson ones,but just thought I'd check what you guys recommended first.thanks!

Squelchtone,I remember reading you saying that before,that's pretty cool!