I’ve posted a fairly wide assortment of concealable handcuff keys in this space in the past half-decade. Most recently, I advised about the cuff key concealed in a ring, and prior to that I’ve looked at zipper-pull cuff keys, cuff keys hidden in different types of bracelets, and even cufflink cuff keys.
Today, I want to let you know about the Tiny Inconspicuous Handcuff Key — the TIHK, for short — which is now available for purchase on the Internet. It’s a “patent pending handcuff key that utilizes an integrated clip for easy attachment to your clothing so it is ready when needed,” according to the TIHK website.
The “low-profile design and low-visibility coating ensure that it can be carried inconspicuously,” and it allegedly will “fit all standard ‘peerless’ single and double-lock handcuffs.”
I first learned about this particular handcuff key back in July (perhaps it was August) of 2013. At the time, the company was seeking crowd-sourced funding (via a website called IndieGoGo) in order to raise the money necessary to bring the product to market — it was not yet available for purchase.
The company seemed to be earnestly interested in restricting the sale of this type of tool to “law enforcement, military, and private security professionals,” but I’m a natural-born skeptic, so I emailed them with the obvious question: How will they ensure that the TIHK would only be made available to LEOs?
Someone from the company emailed me back (almost immediately) with the reply, “Once we’ve moved into retail then it will be easier to control to some extent, but inevitably it will be made available to everyone just like current handcuffs and keys.”
On the basis of the fact that the TIHK was not yet sufficiently funded for production and distribution, and there was no real clarity on the process by which it would be restricted to LEO, military, and other properly vetted individuals, I “took a pass” on writing about it back then.
Well, images and links have been pouring into my inbox for a week or more on this thing — uh, TIHK. While there’s still no way to be sure that the company can successfully restrict sales to good guys only, sales are happening nonetheless.
You can get a three-pack of them for $18 and a 10-pack for $45 (shipping is apparently extra).
Late last week I spoke with a law enforcer with a federal agency who ordered these plastic polymer handcuff keys to see if they really did work to open actual handcuffs. He asked that his name be withheld, but he confirmed for me that these cuff keys do, in fact, open Peerless handcuffs. He told me that he has not yet tested them on other types of handcuff brands.
The company declares on its website that “TIHK is to only be used to counter illegal detainment and in accordance with all local, state and federal laws by trained law enforcement, military and security professionals. Improper use by civilians is not endorsed or encouraged.
In fact, one website that recently posted about the TIHK closed their piece with the snarky remark (that I wish I’d thought of and written first!): “Hopefully this text will keep the criminals from buying their product.”
As is the case with any piece of tactical gear — whether it is principally designed police, military, or any other “good guy” operator — the key (pun intended) is not the equipment itself, but the person using it. I tend to believe that the people at TIHK have taken appropriate steps to keep this product out of the hands of nefarious actors, but every system can be spoofed.
Be advised that these are out there.
Conduct thorough suspect searches.
Stay safe.
