Talk:Handcuffs

World Records
The following sections seems dubious:

On January 8th, 2005, at the Arndale Centre Manchester UK, David Straitjacket escaped from a pair of 'Hiatts Speedcuffs' rigid handcuffs, which were provided by the Greater Manchester police. His time of 7.25 seconds was a new world record, beating the existing record (set by Stuart Burrell) of 10 seconds.


 * Straitjacketcircus.co.uk, The official website of this world record breaking sword swallower and escape artist.

Is it the world records for those types of cuffs? ed g2s &bull; talk 00:08, 5 April 2006 (UTC)

Go to this link: http://www.recordholdersrepublic.co.uk/toprecordholders.asp

And scroll down to David Straitjacket's entry for record details. His record currently stands at 4.5 seconds. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.104.79.141 (talk) 01:22, 13 July 2006 (UTC)

Escaping
The first paragraph seems to be written in a substandard fashion. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.137.143.162 (talk) 20:59, 5 October 2006 (UTC)

assessment
needs more references.--SGGH 16:35, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

Other cuffs?
I just found out about "Mckenzie Mitts" which were invented by Jacob Mckenzie; that is all I've found out about thus far. Since I can not seem to find a wiki page of them this seemed to be the best place to ask if anyone knows more information on them. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.104.205.160 (talk) 07:53, 11 March 2007 (UTC)

Handcuffs imply guilt
"In Japan, if someone is photographed or filmed while handcuffed, their hands have to be pixelated if it is used on TV or in the newspapers. This is because someone who had been arrested brought a successful case to court arguing that being pictured in handcuffs implied guilt, and had prejudiced the trial." Can someone find a source for this? I haven't found anything from Google. 71.248.0.86 01:09, 9 May 2007 (UTC)

I don't know any source. I can tell you that I've heard the same statement on the Dutch news when some Japanes manager was arrested.193.190.253.148 06:48, 12 September 2007 (UTC) Handcuffs were not automatically used when arresting someone in North America prior to the 80s. Check out the records. There was more respect for those assumed to be innocent in the past. Police are now a quasi-military force, which now calls itself a service. The term has turned around backwards because it has more power than formerly. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.71.8.64 (talk) 11:23, 31 December 2010 (UTC)

Manufacturers
Do we really need all those links to handcuff manufacturers? They do not add any information to the page. WLU 10:42, 13 July 2007 (UTC)

Sexual Use
It seems to me that while the article does a good job of covering the law enforcement angle of handcuffs there is an entirely other culture surrounding them in the form of bondage, or even the fuzzy cuffs. The novelty cuffs shouldn't be left out of this article.--Crossmr 04:39, 28 August 2007 (UTC)

Sales
I think there should be some statistics added about the yearly sales of handcuffs for "bedroom play" vs. "real police use". Who knows, maybe it is 90%/10%! Jidanni (talk) 11:31, 14 July 2012 (UTC)

Leg irons and their banning
"The use of leg irons at all is completely banned in all European Union member states." Are you sure? I know senior politicians - and one former Home Secretary who was posting to Wikipedia earlier in the summer - and I don't think they have been at all. He swears they are actually still used, particularly when transporting prisoners between prisons or from court to prison. I suspect this use is unofficial, but still, a source for this statement would be useful. Given that my friend knows that they were still legal to be used in 1997 when he left office, I suspect this directive is one of the few the United Kingdom has ignored rather than gold-plated as usual. Owlqueen 16:22, 19 October 2007 (UTC)


 * I've heard of a British ban on Haitt Darby-style leg irons specifically after they acquired a negative association due to their highly-publicized use in abusing prisoners (outside the UK, mind). They're actually far safer and more comfortable than modern swing-through style leg irons, but laws based on emotional reactions are hardly new, are they?  :)
 * In any case, the fetters (leg irons) article states that the EU ban is on the _export_ of leg irons to non-EU countries (in reaction to some nations that force their prisoners to wear them long-term), not on their use. This claim is also uncited, but seems more plausible.  Elmo iscariot (talk) 14:11, 7 May 2008 (UTC)

lol, vandalism
yeah, some hoebag done vandalized this page, yo. I lol'd. I'd revert it but I'm not really a wikipedian dude. but I'm hoping someone who knows how is watching this space. good luck and high five. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.180.220.219 (talk) 04:37, 18 December 2008 (UTC)

Ehh, it's very nice what you did there! Good to see it back up to speed! 64.180.220.219 (talk) 04:42, 18 December 2008 (UTC)

how to break up Miscellaneous?
Perhaps the paragraph on Japan and Hong Kong can be put under a "Societal Implications" heading and the bondage and BSDM paragraph can be put under "Use" or "Other Uses"? alagahd (talk) 12:24, 18 December 2008 (UTC)

Alternatives
Perhaps alternatives as rope or chain+lock? can be mentioned maybe it can be explained what the best technique + binding knots are for these (as handcuffs are strictly issued to police) Perhaps a comparisation with "Love cuffs" (which are freely obtainable) can be made —Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.245.81.187 (talk) 18:09, 13 July 2009 (UTC)

Handcuffed to a brief case?
It became a movie cliche to show somebody carrying a brief case with important documents or money having a brief case handcuffed to one's wrist. Supposedly that is used for security reasons. Any information on this use of handcuffs in real life? I think it should be somehow mentioned in the article. Thanks. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 95.58.151.86 (talk) 15:50, 16 February 2010 (UTC)

History of the Handcuff
One of the first working sets of handcuffs was devised by Jacob(Jake)Oliver McKenzie, the well-known McKenzie mitts:

http://articledirectory.com/Art/342818/178/Handcuffs-and-its-history.html

He took out a patent on them in 1925. There's a picture here:

http://www.vincula.de/6263.html

The picture has been circulated in my family for a couple of decades, it is copyright free.

If no one objects, I'll try and add a history of the handcuff section, starting (at least) with the first patented version. McKenzie was a Kansas lawman whose invention proved too successful. He invented the mitts after being shot by a prisoner while transporting the man. The cuffs were manufactured for a few years but proved unsuccessful because prisoners could not use their hands to satisfy basic hygienic needs...

(see also Dick Norman's book on handcuffs). — Preceding unsigned comment added by Levalley (talk • contribs) 05:02, 3 July 2010 (UTC)

Use of handcuffs
In France, policemen are allowed to handcuff a people only if he constitues a threat for himself or for others, or if there is any risk of escaping. (http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichCode.do;jsessionid=5EE039640279733191686512D4ABB054.tpdjo16v_1?idSectionTA=LEGISCTA000006151952&cidTexte=LEGITEXT000006071154&dateTexte=20100420 art 803) I think it would be interesting to compare the policemen's use of handcuffs all over the world. 89.88.54.84 (talk) 21:47, 8 August 2010 (UTC)

Handcuff Neuropathy
A section should be added to highlight the dangers of handcuff misuse, use as devices of torture and link to the article on Cheiralgia paresthetica http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handcuff_Neuropathy Koto Elessar (talk) 00:46, 28 April 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from Rainbowskittles722, 8 July 2011
used in kinky sex. the end. (

Rainbowskittles722 (talk) 22:37, 8 July 2011 (UTC)
 * Red question icon with gradient background.svg Not done: please be more specific about what needs to be changed.. Feezo (send a signal | watch the sky) 23:28, 8 July 2011 (UTC)

Edit request from 61.230.13.173, 8 August 2011
Dear Sirs, We (New Season Industrial Corporation) are the NIJ certified and ISO 9001 accredited handcuff manufacturer with 40 years of experience.

We would like to be added to the list of "Handcuff Manufacturers" on the Wikipedia's Handcuffs page .

You may also find us in the list of NIJ certified companies on the website of the USA National Institute of Justice 

Our company website is 

If you need any more information in order to add our company name to the list of "Handcuff Manufacturers" on the Wikipedia's Handcuffs page, please feel free to contact us at < (Redacted) >. Your help is much appreciated!

Sincerely yours,

New Season Industrial Corporation E-mail: (Redacted)

New Season Ind Corp (talk) 09:40, 8 August 2011 (UTC)


 * I've removed your email address to prevent it being harvested by spambots.
 * Wikipedia articles should not contain lists of manufacturers like that per point 5 of the guideline on external links normally to be avoided. I've deleted that entire section. Adrian J. Hunter(talk•contribs) 12:11, 8 August 2011 (UTC)

edits needed
In the "Metaphorical uses" section, the comma should be contained within the quotiation marks, not after them: fantasy football, one strategy is to have both a star player and his backup, or "handcuff", — Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.119.245.192 (talk) 14:57, 5 November 2011 (UTC)

Jose Mourinho story unfer "handcuffs gestures"
is the "Once by Jose Mourinho at a football match at F.C. Internazionale Milano, and it caused trouble." really worthy of inclusion. not referenced, not even a sentence. ythere must be another 100 famous people who have made a gesutre like this75.119.245.192 (talk) 15:00, 5 November 2011 (UTC)
 * Cuffs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQTXawaAKNA — Preceding unsigned comment added by 128.119.155.253 (talk) 19:20, 7 November 2011 (UTC)


 * I've removed the entire section. ArdClose (talk) 12:49, 6 November 2012 (UTC)

Bad Grammar
This sentence should be taken out back and shot: "and keeps one out of trouble if one loses one's keys.".

That should be redacted as "It also eliminates the issue of lost keys, and the hassle of keeping individual devices and its keys paired." — Preceding unsigned comment added by 186.12.181.172 (talk) 17:28, 19 February 2012 (UTC)

Request "History" section
I would love to see a "history" section of this article, with information on the first known uses of handcuffs, etc. I was researching a book and looking for the first time law enforcement began carrying handcuffs for general use, and it seemed like the kind of thing that would benefit this article. I haven't found the answer yet, or I'd write it myself, but if anyone has any information, I think it could go well. 76.168.175.233 (talk) 07:16, 14 August 2012 (UTC)

Include Robotic Handcuff Article
Dear Wikipedia, I would like to resubmit my Robo Restraint article for inclusion in the Handcuffs page. It was removed because the remover said it was a failed technology. I don't think that was a fair appraisal for removal, in that many items discussed in Wikipedia are not in use at the present time. The USPTO has issued a patent on this device and it has been demonstrated successfully at several law enforcement trade shows. Addtionally, I don't think that the article is written as an advertisement and would ask that any lines that sound like an advertisement be pointed out to me specifically. I also would like to upload a picture of the device for the article. Thank you all for your time and consideration.

Article as follows: A recent development in restraint technology is robotic handcuffs. According to Officer.com magazine, the device is mounted to the inside rear window sill of a police vehicle. The automated restraint system is operated by the officer activating a belt worn remote control. The system allows the officer to maintain a safe distance, while commanding the suspect to place his hands in the extended Kevlar loops. He then closes the loops, using the remote control. The loops automatically tighten, until they contact the wrists, and then the bands are loosened slightly to achieve the correct fit. This takes place in about 1/2 second. The officer can then proceed with his investigation, or turn his/her attention to a second suspect. The officer can subsequently, apply standard handcuffs to the suspect and then releases him/her from the robo restraint for transport. Robo Restraint can be used in conjunction with a law enforcement or military robot to restraint an individual without officer intervention. Bshul (talk) 22:07, 28 February 2014 (UTC)

FRANK MISINFORMATION
There is no such thing as the "Jacksonville, Florida, Police Department." There is a JACKSONVILLE SHERIFF'S OFFICE which has police in their employ&#151;police who are referred to as "Sheriff's Police Officer John Smith" and such. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 50.128.184.140 (talk) 11:13, 13 May 2014 (UTC)

Plastic Cuffs
The article reads, “Plastic restraints, known as disposable plastic strips resembling electrical cable ties… carried in large quantities… for situations… such as during large-scale protests and riots…” blah blah blah. There is a tag on it pointing out that it doesn’t cite sources; Overall it’s not that badly written, and there are precious few sources for handcuffs in general, the section passes basic muster for accuracy (not that great a test), and I recommend removal of the tag. My only beef with the passage is that “disposable plastic strips resembling electrical cable ties.” should read “disposable plastic strips resembling OVERSIZED electrical cable ties.”Trying To Make Wikipedia At Least Better Than The &#39;&#39;Weekly World News.&#39;&#39; (talk) 19:59, 30 May 2014 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 10 November 2016
Under subheading "Keys" The Patent number is D607,305, invented by Michael Anthony Stahl. It is known as the "New York Tuning Fork" due to its shape and that it was designed to mate with the unique style of badges worn by New York and New Jersey officers.

172.164.22.101 (talk) 04:14, 10 November 2016 (UTC) If you want to suggest a change, please request this in the form "Please replace XXX with YYY" or "Please add ZZZ between PPP and QQQ". You must also cite reliable sources to back up your request, without which no information should be added to, or changed in, any article. - Arjayay (talk) 08:50, 10 November 2016 (UTC)
 * Red information icon with gradient background.svg Not done: as you have not requested a specific change.

Semi-protected edit request on 28 July 2018
Under BDSM, include use of handcuffs in sexually driven hazing incidents of colleges. Echosmithsummer (talk) 15:43, 28 July 2018 (UTC)
 * Red information icon with gradient background.svg Not done: please provide reliable sources that support the change you want to be made. LittlePuppers (talk) 02:19, 29 July 2018 (UTC)

Use of handcuffs within hazing is widely known in the media- therefore it is not a reasonably constestable fact. Therefore, this doesn't need reference citations, as such would prove voluminous. I therefore second the addition. 2605:A601:4515:F400:B452:A8E1:7EB0:D130 (talk) 23:15, 7 May 2019 (UTC)
 * Are they commonly used in "sexually driven hazing incidents"? (WP:NOTBLUE) And is it relevant to mention this specific usage? – Þjarkur (talk) 23:37, 7 May 2019 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 25th August 2019
It isn't Possible for John Wilkes Booth to have been handcuffed... In the article, it shows some 19th century handcuffs with the note of "Handcuffs which were worn by John Wilkes Booth while he was tried for assassinating President Lincoln"; which would have been impossible, as Booth himself was shot and killed before being able to be arrested, nonetheless tried for the Assassination of Lincoln. This should be removed for historical accuracy.

Johnabcs1 (talk) 18:57, 25 August 2019 (UTC)John

Semi-protected edit request on 12 December 2020
For clarification and to correct error in patent number for reference under "keys", Please change "including a key molded to fit behind an officer's badge(colloquially known as "The New York Tuning Fork" -U.S. Patent 607,305." to:

"including a key molded to fit behind a New York or New Jersey officer's badge. -U.S. Patent D607,305 invented by Michael Anthony Stahl in 2010. It is known colloquially as "The New York Tuning Fork" due to the design shape and size." 129.135.1.212 (talk) 11:05, 12 December 2020 (UTC)
 * I've removed the entire line. The patent does exist, but I could not find that the design was being used anywhere. All mentions of "New York Tuning Fork" are copied from this article. If an reliable source shows that this design is actually being used, I'd be happy to add it back. ◢  Ganbaruby!   (Say hi!) 13:50, 12 December 2020 (UTC)

incorrect redirection
Manacles redirect here. That word shouldn't be, because word "manacle" used as a noun, manacle is a synonym for shackle, meaning "a metal chain or band, used to fasten someone's hands or ankles together (Myriam_Webster) Originally, manacles were meant two metal rings joined by a chain, used to prevent a prisoner from escaping by fastening the legs or arms (Cambridge) Drawing equivalence between handcuffs and manacles is mainly American English feature (Cambridge). — Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.195.17.75 (talk) 08:58, 10 August 2022 (UTC)