http://i.imgur.com/n7LxQes.jpg?1
The Zip-Tie handcuffs.
The mechanism here is simple, the exact same as a zip tie.
Its a simple ratchet that catches on a groove along the length of the restraint.
http://i.imgur.com/Qf71tcC.jpg?1
This might seem obvious but this is almost exactly how all 'real' metal handcuffs work as well.
To pick them one simply needs to shim the ratchet between the grooves as shown here:
http://i.imgur.com/YRlL9MD.jpg?1
Using pretty much anything that can fit.
This is actually harder than it sounds sometimes as if done up correctly it can require a bit of balance and body positioning to get a shim lined up and not caught on the grooves.
Note that if you're playing with these, its harder to do them while they're behind your back, if you're flexible (and turns out a lot of people aren't) bring them underneath you and in-front like you would with any other type of hand-cuffs.
If you google 'escaping zip tie handcuffs', you'll come across a large number of people escaping what look like essentially 'large standard zip-ties'.
This method of breaking them using force DOES NOT WORK. Trust me, i tried, it really-REALLY hurt
The re-enforced section in the middle prevents this and they're quite durable.
I bring them regularly to different conferences/Lock-picking workshops and I've only had them fail once. The point that failed was actually the angled ratchet which after many incorrect picking attempts finally snapped and broke off.
Good thing they cost less than $1 each!
