The Forum at Handcuffs.Org

"Gotcha" cuffs

20 visible archived posts · 20 preserved total · topic ID 373

MikeInUK 01 Jan 2005

OK guys, we all want to get hold of a pair - but does anybody know the latest position regarding availability?
Mike

Ron 01 Jan 2005

Am I missing something???

MikeInUK 02 Jan 2005

The latest handcuffs, but currently very limited availability. Manufactured by Taper International.
Take a look at their website
http://www.betterhandcuffs.com

Ian McColl 02 Jan 2005

The availablity seems to be restricted to law enforcement personal only. Having checked out the patents on this cuff, I do have an method for escape although untested at this stage until I find a cuff. Can anyone lend me one for a day.

Ian

MikeInUK 02 Jan 2005

If only .....!!

Stan Willis 02 Jan 2005

Unfortunately the President of the company has strict policies about who they sell to. They only sell direct, and have no dealers, so they can easily control who gets the cuffs. They will not sell to collectors.
Stan

Michael Busch 02 Jan 2005

Hello everybody,

and my best wishes to all of you for 2005!

A friend of mine here in Germany works as a representative of a police-supply company. I will ask him to get some samples of the Gotcha cuffs, maybe it will be possible through the company he works for.

Best regards,

Michael

MikeInUK 02 Jan 2005

That's absolutely right Stan, but Taper Int are looking for European distributors. So Michael's German contacts might be in with a chance.
Michael, put my name on the list straight after yours - please.
Mike

Michael Busch 02 Jan 2005

Hi again,

I just contacted my friend and he promised to do what he can in this matter. I will post here when I have new information.

Best wishes,

Michael

Tim1 05 Jan 2005

#10

Hi guys,
I have had the chance to evaluate the normal weight hinged version of the "Gotcha" line. Ian, not a chance , my friend. These are as pick proof with the tightest tolereances I have ever seen, the workmanship is equal to my Sig-Sauer P-220 .45 I carry as a duty pistol. That being said, while perhaps the best designed American handcuff to come along, they are far too expensive to ever break into the current market. The finish is also impressive, and as smooth an action as felt on a factory issued pair. I do not honestly think it possible to escape from these short of using a hacksaw and a lot of hours.
That is the postive. The negative is, at a cost of just under $100.00 bucks a pair, there is no way they can compete with Peerless, S&W, Hiatts, or ASP for the market of Department issued handcuffs. They will surely find a place in the specialty and transport areas, and some Officer's may choose to purchase them individually, but this is the day and age of low bid, equal quality for the front line cop.
The bids on quantity purchase of Peerless or S&W chain cuffs rarely exceed more than $18.00 bucks a pair, thus the Gotchas are doomed to be a low volume specialty cuff unless they can lower the prices. They also do not come remotely close to fitting a standard cuff case, and the issue of the odd keys and control system have some issues for large volume distribution. An awesome product, I wish it well, but I won't be buying a pair anytime soon. Good luck getting hold of a pair anytime soon if you are not in Federal, State or Local sworn Law Enforcement. They are very careful as to where these go, to the point the extra keys are sent to the Dept. head and not an individual. I see this getting less strict as the new wears off, but right now they are the "latest thing" and as always, everyone wants to play with them.
Play Safe in the New year,
Tim1
aka gentlemansgt

Ian McColl 05 Jan 2005

#11

Hi Tim, I have heard all about these handcuffs, I have examined the handcuff papers and the mechanism as per it's design and I agree that by conventional means they cannot be picked, nor shimmed. As you have seen and handled the cuff, I believe you and your knowledge in what you do.

However in the area of work I am most familar with, I say 95% without trying it that I have a method. The cuff does have one weakness that can be exploited by escape artists.

After posting my first response, now is the time for be to make my tool. More later, time for the shop.

Ian (PS, Tim, I'll swap you my tool plus $100.00 bucks for a pair)
http://www.sympac.com.au/~imccoll/

Howy 23 Jan 2005

#12

Not having the chance to actually feel them, and just being able to look at their pictures and read the discription from the Mfr, it looks like the key is rather shaped like the Abaloy with the grove on one or both sides.

Since they claim there is nothing to pick in the keyway are they using a brass plug and some kind of magnet in the key like the Miwa or the old Miracle Magnetic?

Hope to see everyone again in Indy later this year

Howy

P.S. What is the patent number, their web side does not give it.

Stan Willis 24 Jan 2005

#13

Gotcha US Patents are:
6568224
6684666

Stan

http://www.handcuffsandbadges.com

Dorson 24 Jan 2005

#14

Howy,
It is not that complicated, I have seen the pics on the net and looked at all the patents issued to them. It is nothing more than a simple clutch mechanism with teeth, just seems to be tight tolerances and a certain amount of force required to operate the lock.

-Dorson

Howy 24 Jan 2005

#15

Until I got the Patent info I only had the photo's on their website to work with, and thought that the keyway was open through both sides.

Maybe someone will ge one in time for Indy.

Howy

CuffedUpInIrish 11 Sep 2022

#16

Guess no one has been able to get a pair?

djhalfdead 11 Sep 2022

#17

I have a set of the hinged version of the Gotcha Cuffs. The company went under and there are not a lot of these cuffs out there to be purchased. From time to time one will pop up on Ebay and such sites. The prices usually bid pretty high for them, when they do pop up for sale.
-Richard knip-

CuffedUpInIrish 18 Sep 2022

#18

Like the TuffKuffs?

djhalfdead 18 Sep 2022

#19

Similar to the TuffKuffs in desirability. They are highly sought after and do not last long on the market. Personally, I think the Gotcha cuffs are harder to come by than the TuffKuffs, though.
-Richard Knip-

CuffedUpInIrish 18 Sep 2022

#20

Goddamnit :( that's gonna be a lot of searching then!