Most of the concealed cuff keys we encounter are hidden inside something else. Cuff keys in a coin, in the buckle of a paracord bracelet, in a silicon fashion bracelet, in zipper pulls, in a ring, in a stick-pen cap, in a tactical pen, in a boot lace aglet (the plastic tip of your bootlace), in a belt buckle, in a belt keeper; a spot most of us are familiar with, and a cuff key in a cuff link.
A few weeks ago, articles began to appear about the latest innovation on concealed cuff keys called the Tiny Inconspicuous Handcuff Key, and I was immediately curious. While some see these as a threat to our safety, I also see a hidden tool that will help to prevent one of the things that most cops dread — being locked in their own handcuffs.
The TIHK, like all of these other keys, needs to be hidden somewhere, but how it hides in other objects is the innovative part. It is much smaller than other hidden keys, being only three quarters of inch long. Within that length is the low profile attachment clip, which is only half an inch long. Its black color blends incredibly easily into most police gear, but stands out a little bit against blue jeans, or other lighter colored clothing.
Tiny, Check. Inconspicuous, Check
Upon initial inspection, the TIHK had lived up to the first two parts of its name — Tiny and Inconspicuous — but how did it work as a handcuff key?
We need to train with the tools we use, not just hang them off our belts.
The TIHKs were tested using eight sets of cuffs both handcuffed in front of the body as well as handcuffed properly, behind the body. A second party assisted in releasing the cuffs.
The key was judged by how easy it was to insert and turn.
Here are the results:
|
| In Front | Behind Back | Assisted |
| ASP Model 100 | Easy to insert Difficult to turn Had to be pushed very firmly into cuff, and the clip bent aside | Easy to insert Initially did not open Doable with practice | Easy to insert Doable with coaching |
| American Handcuff Company | Easy to insert Easy to turn | Easiest to insert because of prominent key post | Very easy |
| Peerless Model 300 | Easy to insert Easy to turn | Moderately difficult to insert Easy to turn | Easy to insert Easy to turn |
| Smith & Wesson Model 100 (New) | Easy to insert Easy to turn | Easy to insert Turnable with effort | Easy to insert Easy to turn |
| Smith & Wesson Model 100 (New) | Easy to insert Easy to turn | Difficult to insert Not opened | Easy to insert Easy to turn |
| Smith & Wesson Model 100 M&P | Easy to insert Easy to turn | Moderately difficult to insert Easy to turn once inserted | Easy to insert Easy to turn |
| Smith & Wesson Model 1 | Easy to insert Easy to turn | Easy to insert Easy to turn | Easy to insert Easy to turn |
| Hiatts | Easy to insert Easy to turn | Easy to insert Moderately difficult to turn | Easy to insert Easy to turn |
Accounting for Human Factors
A few factors affected the usability of the key in each type of cuff. First was the inflexibility of a person’s wrists. In every control tactics class, there’s the guy who can bend his wrist back to his elbow in both directions.
Everyone else with limited wrist flexibility will have a hard time finding the keyhole, and turning the key. The second factor was where the cuffs were on the subject’s wrist. Some cuffs were easier with the cuff higher on the wrist, some were easier with the cuff lower below the styloid process. The last factor was the placement of the keyhole in the lock housing and size of the lock housing. The key did not end up being as easy to use as the video TIHK Video made it seem. But it did work, with some practice. Really, the worst part of the testing was sore wrists.
It’s an excellent option for a hideaway key for LEOs, Military, and those who legally have the need to defeat handcuffs. With practice, you should be able to work out a way to get out of the handcuffs that you carry, and with a little more practice, most other cuffs.
Regarding the officer safety issues raised by some, the inventor of the TIHK had good intentions, as do most people who invent things that can be used with either good or evil intent. From the TIHK website:
“The 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. Use of the product is at your own personal risk and discretion.”
The 10 Commandments of Handcuffing
Being a libertarian at heart, I believe that almost everything issued to police should be available to law-abiding citizens. Remember Sir Robert Peel — the father of modern policing — who said “The police are the public and the public are the police.”
The fearthat this tool will allow criminals to escape easieris a non-issue. These issues have come up in the past, most recently in regards to the ASP handcuffs. To address those issues, follow these basic rules of arrest and handcuffing:
1.) Always cuff with hands behind the back. Sure, he’s a nice old man, or he’s the guy you’ve arrested 50 times with no problems. This time might be the time he surprises you.
2.) Don’t get sloppy. Follow your control tactics programs cuffing technique. Most programs teach a method that will end with the subject’s palms facing out, making it very hard to use a cuff key.
3.) Always check for tightness and double lock.
4.) Search your prisoner. Search them thoroughly. Search them again, if in doubt.
5.) Search every prisoner handed off to you. It doesn’t matter if it’s your partner, sergeant, officer from another agency, or the Chief, search them again.
6.) If you find one weapon/tool of escape, there will be another one (the plus-one rule).
7.) Don’t leave your prisoner unwatched. Any attempt to defeat cuffs can be negated by proper supervision.
8.) Seatbelt your prisoner during transport. This is great for liability reasons, but it also makes it hard to contort into positions needed to defeat cuffs with or without a hidden key.
9.) If in doubt, or if you have to leave the prisoner unsupervised, or if you have a long transport, use your second set of cuffs and cuff above the first set, ensuring the keyholes (unless they have double sided keyholes like ASP cuffs) are facing up and the palms are out. Then remove the first set of cuffs, slide the second set down below the styloid process, (lump on the outside of the wrist) tighten and double lock. Just make sure you don’t end up with both sets of cuffs with keyholed facing each other. Very embarrassing.
10.) Remember Tenant Five of Below 100: Complacency KILLS!
Pricing on the TIHK is reasonable, for a startup company with a new product. Two units retail for $13, three for $18, five for $25, ten for $45 ($3 shipping in the US) and on their Indegogo site, a team pack of fifty units is priced at $200, shipping included. And yes, the site says they’re made in the USA.
The Tiny Inconspicuous Handcuff Key is another tool that helps us to protect ourselves in case of a hostage situation. With practice, and training it can be an excellent addition to your gear.
