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Hidden handcuff keys are often bought by thugs too.
They are designed to avoid detection so the owner can unlock their handcuffs and escape.
This matters for police officers and other security personnel.
For your security, you should know what to look out for.
Here are some real-life examples:
What is a concealed handcuff key?
These are cuff keys meant to be easy to hide and avoid detection.
The reason you would have a hidden handcuff key is to be able to unlock the handcuffs if you’re cuffed by someone unwillingly.
It gives you a chance to escape.
So the product itself is a great idea. If used by victims of crimes.
The downside is that thugs buy it too.
Check out this press release from Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office from 2018.
Upon search, they found a hidden handcuff key attached to his belt.
Most of them are universal handcuff key
Handcuff key hidden in zipper:
Check out this handcuff key. It’s hidden in a zipper. When it’s pulled over, the key is impossible to see. How are you supposed even to find it?
Bracelets are also a great place to hide a handcuff key. Keep that in mind when you’ve arrested and cuffed someone.
Covert Handcuff key attached to clothing
The cuff keys are so small that they are easy to hide in clothes.
Check this example:
It’s hard to find this handcuff key concealed in the pants.
Shoelace handcuff key
These are handcuff keys hidden in a bootlace. Extremely hard to detect:
Remember this handcuff key type. It’s not fair!
Concealed handcuff key from Zak Tool
Zak Tool has made this concealed handcuff key case.
Almost impossible to find:
They’ve also made this key. It’s hidden in a clip for ID cards:
Do you think you would find this handcuff key?
Handcuff key hidden in a belt keeper:
This one is also from Zak Tools. A handcuff key concealed in a belt keeper.
Hidden handcuff key buckle
You can easily hide handcuff keys in a belt buckle.
Unfortunately, it’s not as easy to find it:
Non-metallic covert handcuff key
Handcuff keys made of plastic or other non-metallic materials are also on the market.
This one for example. Where you can avoid the handcuff key being exposed in a metal detector:
So why do I write about concealable handcuff keys?
For safety reasons.
Police officers should be aware of their existence.
Hidden keys represent a threat to your security as criminals might open their handcuffs without your knowing.
How to find a concealed handcuff key? And how to avoid the use of hidden keys?
To be honest:
If someone wants to hide a handcuff key, it will be hard to find.
Now you’ve seen a few different kinds of covert handcuff keys on the market.
Read my article about handcuff keys and what types I prefer.
So, at least you have an idea of what to look for.
The best way to avoid someone using a hidden handcuff key is to:
- Use high-security handcuffs. It comes with unique keys.
- Always keep an eye on the arrested person.
- Always be mentally prepared for the person to unlock the handcuffs.
- Proper attachment of the handcuffs complicates the possibility of taking off the handcuffs. See the images at the bottom of the article for the correct attachment.
Smith and Wesson have its S&W Maximum Security M104. It comes with a handcuff key that is somewhat different from universal handcuff keys.
The chance someone is hiding a handcuff key that fits the M104 is near zero.
If the arrested person is trying to unlock the handcuffs, it should be easy to detect.
Interested in learning more about handcuffs? Be sure to check out our article about the different types of handcuffs.
