Can you pick handcuffs

To disengage the double lock bar the key needs to first be turned counter-clockwise left. This pushes the double lock bar out of the way giving the first lock bar room to move. We then simply turn the key clockwise right , placing enough pressure against the first lock bar to push it down and out of the way of the ratchet teeth. This will allow the ratchet arm to rotate and the cuff to open. Now that we understand how these devices work we can begin to learn how to tamper with and unlock them.

Picking handcuffs, while does take practice, is relevantly simple in theory. All we need to do is mimic the form and motion of the key in the locking mechanism. This can be accomplished with any small strand of hard but formable wire such as a paperclip or a bobby pin. For the purpose of this guide, we will be demonstrating how to pick handcuffs using a bobby pin, but of course, you may mimic these directions using any piece of material you wish to try.

Take note that tampering with and picking handcuffs is much easier when your hands are in front of you and you can visually see what you are doing rather than feeling about. If you are restrained with your hands behind your back simply maneuver them under your legs so that the cuffs are in front of you. The process of picking handcuffs can be broken into three steps: First forming the bobby pin, then disengaging the double-lock, and lastly placing enough pressure on the single lock to push it off the arm's ratchet teeth and allowing the cuff to open.

With that let's start by forming our bobby pin. We then need to remove the rubber tip from the end of the straight section. This is done much easier with pliers, so if you plan to carry around a couple of bobby pins for the purpose of picking locks, it isn't a bad idea to prepare them in advance. Next, we have to form the end of the bobby pin so that it can be maneuvered into the lock and apply a rotational pressure on both lock bars.

Then apply pressure on the shaft of the bobby pin bending it in the process. We must first disengage the double-lock. To do this insert the pick into the upper cutout of the lock ensuring that our bent tip is pointing away from the center of the cuffs. Once our pick is in, rotate and apply tension in the counter-clockwise left direction to mimic the motion of a key. Continue to apply tension onto the double-lock until you feel it give and stop.

This one by nature is much simpler to pick. Just like the double-lock, insert your pick into the keyhole but this time with our bent tip pointing towards the center of the cuffs. Once our pick is in, rotate and apply tension in the clockwise right direction to once again mimic the motion of a key.

As you place pressure on the single-lock you will feel it give in as it pushes the lock bar away from the ratchet arm and releases the cuff. Like tying your shoes or riding a bike, picking handcuffs is a skill and just like any skill, proficiency requires practice and patience. Use Clear Cuff 2. Making a Key 3. Using a Shim Alternative Handcuff Options 4. Duct Tape 5. Zip Ties 6. Saw Method Want to Cheat? Want to Practise? We have all seen it in films and on television.

People get captured and must pick the lock of their handcuffs to get free and get to safety. The reality of the situation is that abductions are more common today than they were when we were kids. People get kidnapped every day for ransom or for political reasons.

Knowing how to escape from handcuffs is a very necessary survival skill these days. Unfortunately, it is not as simple as grabbing a paperclip and digging around in the lock. The good news is that the process is rather simple once you understand how the lock works. If you are cuffed behind your back, you need to first sit down and pass your wrists across your feet so the cuffs are in front of you.

While you can pick handcuffs while they are behind your back, it is much more difficult. As you practice this skill, be sure that you have a key within reach to free yourself if needed. Also, be careful not to tighten the cuffs to the point that they dig into your wrists or cut off circulation.

They should be just tight enough that you cannot get free by pulling your wrists through. There is a good reason that picking handcuffs is part of many Urban evasion and Urban escape classes. I do know some people that carry a handcuff key on their keychain. This could definitely come in handy as many models use the same design for their keys.

However, most people are not quite that prepared. A more likely scenario is to use a piece of wire or paperclip to make your own key. Paperclips are ideal for this as the have the ideal thickness to bend but also to hold their shape. Here are the steps to make a handcuff key with a paperclip. Step 1 Straighten out your paperclip as best you can. Step 2 Place the end of the straightened paperclip just inside the keyhole and bend it to one side. Step 3 Next, push it further inside the keyhole and bend it back in the opposite direction.

You should now have a zigzag bend in your paperclip. Step 4 You now have the correct shape. Rotate your makeshift key just like you would with any key. Take your time and be gentle. You want your key to maintain its shape. Try jiggling it a bit or turn it the other direction to get the mechanism to release.

Step 5 Be sure you keep your makeshift key to unlock the other handcuff. Be aware that there are double-lock handcuffs out there. This means that they must be released in both directions before they will open. In order to make a purchase or two, or three! You agree to provide only information that is accurate and current, and that you have authorization to provide. You may choose to save the information you enter for the next time you visit the Site or make a purchase.

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