What does it take to break standard police issue cuffs?

I have toyed with the idea of using two sets of standard-issue police cuffs to lock up my bike arund town. The thieves have U-bolts and standard pad-locks down, and a bike isn't safe for 15 minutes in broad daylight. I have seen the MasterLock Street cuffs, as discussed in recent posts, but don't like the price nor the weight. How easy (or difficult) would it be for a street-wise thief to bust through a pair of regular cuffs? How about the

Thanks for the thoughts.

Sad to say, but handcuffs are not high carbon steel or the like, simple locks.... Your best bet is the special anti-theft chain and a high security lock like what S&G makes for the Gov't. The shackles on there padlocks need to have a cut-off wheel used to get them open.

I have toyed with the idea of using two sets of standard-issue police cuffs to lock up my bike arund town. The thieves have U-bolts and standard pad-locks down, and a bike isn't safe for 15 minutes in broad daylight. I have seen the MasterLock Street cuffs, as discussed in recent posts, but don't like the price nor the weight. How easy (or difficult) would it be for a street-wise thief to bust through a pair of regular cuffs? How about the

Thanks for the thoughts.

As Dorson has stated, handcuffs are made of no special material. A hacksaw blade would cut the chain in less the 30 seconds and right through the cuff in less than two minutes. Obviously small bolt cutter would cut the chain as well.

Forego the inconvenience of weight and size if you wish to keep your bike safe.

Ian

I have toyed with the idea of using two sets of standard-issue police cuffs to lock up my bike arund town. The thieves have U-bolts and standard pad-locks down, and a bike isn't safe for 15 minutes in broad daylight. I have seen the MasterLock Street cuffs, as discussed in recent posts, but don't like the price nor the weight. How easy (or difficult) would it be for a street-wise thief to bust through a pair of regular cuffs? How about the

Thanks for the thoughts.

Why bother to cut them, when you can get a key anywhere. That would give me a good pair of cuffs in addition to the bike.
Stan

I have toyed with the idea of using two sets of standard-issue police cuffs to lock up my bike arund town. The thieves have U-bolts and standard pad-locks down, and a bike isn't safe for 15 minutes in broad daylight. I have seen the MasterLock Street cuffs, as discussed in recent posts, but don't like the price nor the weight. How easy (or difficult) would it be for a street-wise thief to bust through a pair of regular cuffs? How about the

Thanks for the thoughts.

Hi Stan, I should have been thinking with the KIS prinicple in mind, keep it simple.

Your hit the nail on the head.

Ian

I have toyed with the idea of using two sets of standard-issue police cuffs to lock up my bike arund town. The thieves have U-bolts and standard pad-locks down, and a bike isn't safe for 15 minutes in broad daylight. I have seen the MasterLock Street cuffs, as discussed in recent posts, but don't like the price nor the weight. How easy (or difficult) would it be for a street-wise thief to bust through a pair of regular cuffs? How about the

Thanks for the thoughts.

Wow. Sorry for my naivete. I didn't know that cuff keys were so standard. What keeps criminals from keeping a blank on them, and using this to their advantage? I guess cuffs are just meant to slow them down. Thanks for the great, prompt responses, and for maintaining the forum!

I have toyed with the idea of using two sets of standard-issue police cuffs to lock up my bike arund town. The thieves have U-bolts and standard pad-locks down, and a bike isn't safe for 15 minutes in broad daylight. I have seen the MasterLock Street cuffs, as discussed in recent posts, but don't like the price nor the weight. How easy (or difficult) would it be for a street-wise thief to bust through a pair of regular cuffs? How about the

Thanks for the thoughts.

Frisk!

I have toyed with the idea of using two sets of standard-issue police cuffs to lock up my bike arund town. The thieves have U-bolts and standard pad-locks down, and a bike isn't safe for 15 minutes in broad daylight. I have seen the MasterLock Street cuffs, as discussed in recent posts, but don't like the price nor the weight. How easy (or difficult) would it be for a street-wise thief to bust through a pair of regular cuffs? How about the

Thanks for the thoughts.

I was in sore need of a good laugh.

Thanks, Stan, for providing an excellent one!

Cheers,

Jack

I have toyed with the idea of using two sets of standard-issue police cuffs to lock up my bike arund town. The thieves have U-bolts and standard pad-locks down, and a bike isn't safe for 15 minutes in broad daylight. I have seen the MasterLock Street cuffs, as discussed in recent posts, but don't like the price nor the weight. How easy (or difficult) would it be for a street-wise thief to bust through a pair of regular cuffs? How about the

Thanks for the thoughts.

Thanks all, LOL and partly at myself forgetting to mention the obvious... cute one Monica, if I arrest you, can I frisk you to make sure you have no hidden keys or contraband?
All in good humor....

I have toyed with the idea of using two sets of standard-issue police cuffs to lock up my bike arund town. The thieves have U-bolts and standard pad-locks down, and a bike isn't safe for 15 minutes in broad daylight. I have seen the MasterLock Street cuffs, as discussed in recent posts, but don't like the price nor the weight. How easy (or difficult) would it be for a street-wise thief to bust through a pair of regular cuffs? How about the

Thanks for the thoughts.

Monica, While a funny answer, the sad fact is cuff keys can be had anywhere. And HID anywhere, places that you are not going to find on a normal Terry frisk. I have a collection of make-shift and commercially avilable covert cuff keys that I have confiscated over the years. Seen the belt buckle cuff key? The Bic lighter key? The watch band flag tip key?
Scary stuff, I am not even going to name the places I have seen standard keys extracted from over the years. Use the imagination and somebody has probably stuck a key there. I love hinged cuffs for the fact it is much harder to get to the keyholes even with a key in hand, but by no means impossible and chain cuffs are still Required gear around here. I would have to see the breaking of a chain swivel with the hands cuffed behind the back done before I would believe it. The Major I referred to earlier, while not a "martial artist ", is as strong a man as there is out there. I don't see how martial arts can make that big a difference when talking about a guy that lifts up the back of a Crown Vic while you're trying to drive off. Never seen a martial art as effective as a Bucheimer 16 oz. blackjack anyways.
Off the soapbox, a quick question, which series of Colt handcuffs are the most rare? I have 4 pair, 2 of the center keyhole, and 2 of the sidehole, and carry a pair of the center hole on duty still. Was thinking it may be time to retire them. Thanks for the great forum and the many, many opinions!
Tim

I have toyed with the idea of using two sets of standard-issue police cuffs to lock up my bike arund town. The thieves have U-bolts and standard pad-locks down, and a bike isn't safe for 15 minutes in broad daylight. I have seen the MasterLock Street cuffs, as discussed in recent posts, but don't like the price nor the weight. How easy (or difficult) would it be for a street-wise thief to bust through a pair of regular cuffs? How about the

Thanks for the thoughts.

Strip search!

I have toyed with the idea of using two sets of standard-issue police cuffs to lock up my bike arund town. The thieves have U-bolts and standard pad-locks down, and a bike isn't safe for 15 minutes in broad daylight. I have seen the MasterLock Street cuffs, as discussed in recent posts, but don't like the price nor the weight. How easy (or difficult) would it be for a street-wise thief to bust through a pair of regular cuffs? How about the

Thanks for the thoughts.

BTW, Tim., yes, physical strength is important, but it's the mental strength - the ability to handle and overcome pain - that makes the breaking of cuffs possible. An advanced and practicing martial artist should have this ability as part of his arsenal.