The Forum at Handcuffs.Org

An unusual question

10 visible archived posts · 10 preserved total · topic ID 4465

Liam 23 Nov 2011

This is kind of an odd question, but I hope someone will be able to answer it. I'm writing a book (or trying to, anyway) and a part of one character's backstory involves him being suspended by his wrists from a pair of handcuffs. Now here's the questions:

1. Would a standard pair of handcuffs actually be able to hold the weight of a full-grown man, or would they just break?

2. If they could hold that much weight at all, how much damage would they do? Nerve damage? heavy bleeding? Broken wrists? Permenant scarring? Would he still be able to use his hands at all? What effect would this have on his shoulders?

3. How quickly would they do this damage? Would it happen more or less right away, or would it take minutes or hours?

Hopefully someone will have some idea of this. I don't know that much about handcuffs, and I don't plan on trying this myself to see what it does to me (not that I'm suggesting any of you have tried it) but someone here could probably speak with more authority than me.

By the way, can anyone tell me how difficult it is to pick standard handcuffs with, say, a papreclip and some practice? That's another plot point.

Thanks,
Liam

Anonymous 23 Nov 2011

Have a look at the smith & wesson book on this page ..700 ponds and 4 people I really dont think anyone is stupid enough to hang themself with a pair of handcuffs around the wrists first very painful and dumb second really stupid heres the linkhttp://www.network54.com/Forum/261154/t ... son+Models

Vince 23 Nov 2011

This is kind of an odd question, but I hope someone will be able to answer it. I'm writing a book (or trying to, anyway) and a part of one character's backstory involves him being suspended by his wrists from a pair of handcuffs. Now here's the questions:

1. Would a standard pair of handcuffs actually be able to hold the weight of a full-grown man, or would they just break?

2. If they could hold that much weight at all, how much damage would they do? Nerve damage? heavy bleeding? Broken wrists? Permenant scarring? Would he still be able to use his hands at all? What effect would this have on his shoulders?

3. How quickly would they do this damage? Would it happen more or less right away, or would it take minutes or hours?

Hopefully someone will have some idea of this. I don't know that much about handcuffs, and I don't plan on trying this myself to see what it does to me (not that I'm suggesting any of you have tried it) but someone here could probably speak with more authority than me.

By the way, can anyone tell me how difficult it is to pick standard handcuffs with, say, a papreclip and some practice? That's another plot point.

Thanks,
Liam
Click to expand...

Here we go...

1) YES, "standard" cuffs as per NIJ tests, can withstand in excess of 400lbs of linear pull, The toy ones you see all over, would probably give with the weight of a small sack of potatoes.

2) LOTS, wrist joint dislocation would most likly occur, even if not, after time the cuffs would begin to cut the person as "standard cuffs" arent exactlty padded for extended comfort. Tissue damage happens even without being suspended.

3) Quickly, at least tissue damage that is. I'd assume that if the wrists will dislocate, they would do so imediatly after weight transfer.

4) Paperclip........ not the best tool to use due to it's softness, but indeed doable with persistance

5) Not sure why I even responded to this post (((Shakes head))), Just wondering why people nowadays are so obsessed with torture and violence, how bout you write a book about say......... Classic cars, and the story line revolves around an Auburn owner who has 1/2 a Romer for a hood ornament, Oregon boots for pedals and McKenzie Mitt shaped baby moon hub-caps?
Now that's a book I might buy!!!

Alright MMMMMKay?,
--Vince

lauher 24 Nov 2011

This is kind of an odd question, but I hope someone will be able to answer it. I'm writing a book (or trying to, anyway) and a part of one character's backstory involves him being suspended by his wrists from a pair of handcuffs. Now here's the questions:

1. Would a standard pair of handcuffs actually be able to hold the weight of a full-grown man, or would they just break?

2. If they could hold that much weight at all, how much damage would they do? Nerve damage? heavy bleeding? Broken wrists? Permenant scarring? Would he still be able to use his hands at all? What effect would this have on his shoulders?

3. How quickly would they do this damage? Would it happen more or less right away, or would it take minutes or hours?

Hopefully someone will have some idea of this. I don't know that much about handcuffs, and I don't plan on trying this myself to see what it does to me (not that I'm suggesting any of you have tried it) but someone here could probably speak with more authority than me.

By the way, can anyone tell me how difficult it is to pick standard handcuffs with, say, a papreclip and some practice? That's another plot point.

Thanks,
Liam
Click to expand...

Vince

Here is a starting point for your project.

Joe

Unresolved image reference ↗

Liam 24 Nov 2011

This is kind of an odd question, but I hope someone will be able to answer it. I'm writing a book (or trying to, anyway) and a part of one character's backstory involves him being suspended by his wrists from a pair of handcuffs. Now here's the questions:

1. Would a standard pair of handcuffs actually be able to hold the weight of a full-grown man, or would they just break?

2. If they could hold that much weight at all, how much damage would they do? Nerve damage? heavy bleeding? Broken wrists? Permenant scarring? Would he still be able to use his hands at all? What effect would this have on his shoulders?

3. How quickly would they do this damage? Would it happen more or less right away, or would it take minutes or hours?

Hopefully someone will have some idea of this. I don't know that much about handcuffs, and I don't plan on trying this myself to see what it does to me (not that I'm suggesting any of you have tried it) but someone here could probably speak with more authority than me.

By the way, can anyone tell me how difficult it is to pick standard handcuffs with, say, a papreclip and some practice? That's another plot point.

Thanks,
Liam
Click to expand...

Vince, if you've got any ideas, please don't let me hear about them, I'll just steal them

tim71 24 Nov 2011

This is kind of an odd question, but I hope someone will be able to answer it. I'm writing a book (or trying to, anyway) and a part of one character's backstory involves him being suspended by his wrists from a pair of handcuffs. Now here's the questions:

1. Would a standard pair of handcuffs actually be able to hold the weight of a full-grown man, or would they just break?

2. If they could hold that much weight at all, how much damage would they do? Nerve damage? heavy bleeding? Broken wrists? Permenant scarring? Would he still be able to use his hands at all? What effect would this have on his shoulders?

3. How quickly would they do this damage? Would it happen more or less right away, or would it take minutes or hours?

Hopefully someone will have some idea of this. I don't know that much about handcuffs, and I don't plan on trying this myself to see what it does to me (not that I'm suggesting any of you have tried it) but someone here could probably speak with more authority than me.

By the way, can anyone tell me how difficult it is to pick standard handcuffs with, say, a papreclip and some practice? That's another plot point.

Thanks,
Liam
Click to expand...

Smith and Wesson cuffs have been tested and usually break at a little under 1000 pounds. Another source says that Peerless and ASP cuffs gave at around 700.

I can't immagine it not hurting a heck of alot. It would depend alot on the person's build and the brand and type of cuffs as to how much dammage it would do.

I like in the movie Taken, Liam Neeson is suspended by a pair of French cuffs with those oblong holes, and then someone else is even pulling down on his neck. His wrists would've been trashed.

All the best with your book. Glad you're doing research so that it can be closer to realistic.

Tim

Edgeplay_Cgo 24 Nov 2011

This is kind of an odd question, but I hope someone will be able to answer it. I'm writing a book (or trying to, anyway) and a part of one character's backstory involves him being suspended by his wrists from a pair of handcuffs. Now here's the questions:

1. Would a standard pair of handcuffs actually be able to hold the weight of a full-grown man, or would they just break?

2. If they could hold that much weight at all, how much damage would they do? Nerve damage? heavy bleeding? Broken wrists? Permenant scarring? Would he still be able to use his hands at all? What effect would this have on his shoulders?

3. How quickly would they do this damage? Would it happen more or less right away, or would it take minutes or hours?

Hopefully someone will have some idea of this. I don't know that much about handcuffs, and I don't plan on trying this myself to see what it does to me (not that I'm suggesting any of you have tried it) but someone here could probably speak with more authority than me.

By the way, can anyone tell me how difficult it is to pick standard handcuffs with, say, a papreclip and some practice? That's another plot point.

Thanks,
Liam
Click to expand...

Hanging someone by handcuffs has been used as a form of torture in several places. It tends to cause permanent tissue and nerve damage pretty quickly. I think it would be a good way to permanently cripple someone.

As to picking cuffs, that's not my trade, but we have several escape artists, here. Before you write, look at some of the handcuff manufacturers' sites; Smith & Wesson, Peerless, ASP, Thompson ... You might also look at some of the non US makers like Clement & Jung (Clejuso), Rivolier, Yuil ... There's a million of 'em.

Look at how the locking mechanisms and double locking mechanisms work. You may be able to use that detail in your writing. There's also good details in some of the threads, here.

Good luck.

Anonymous 25 Nov 2011

This is kind of an odd question, but I hope someone will be able to answer it. I'm writing a book (or trying to, anyway) and a part of one character's backstory involves him being suspended by his wrists from a pair of handcuffs. Now here's the questions:

1. Would a standard pair of handcuffs actually be able to hold the weight of a full-grown man, or would they just break?

2. If they could hold that much weight at all, how much damage would they do? Nerve damage? heavy bleeding? Broken wrists? Permenant scarring? Would he still be able to use his hands at all? What effect would this have on his shoulders?

3. How quickly would they do this damage? Would it happen more or less right away, or would it take minutes or hours?

Hopefully someone will have some idea of this. I don't know that much about handcuffs, and I don't plan on trying this myself to see what it does to me (not that I'm suggesting any of you have tried it) but someone here could probably speak with more authority than me.

By the way, can anyone tell me how difficult it is to pick standard handcuffs with, say, a papreclip and some practice? That's another plot point.

Thanks,
Liam
Click to expand...

http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/239/10/957.extract

Anonymous 25 Nov 2011

This is kind of an odd question, but I hope someone will be able to answer it. I'm writing a book (or trying to, anyway) and a part of one character's backstory involves him being suspended by his wrists from a pair of handcuffs. Now here's the questions:

1. Would a standard pair of handcuffs actually be able to hold the weight of a full-grown man, or would they just break?

2. If they could hold that much weight at all, how much damage would they do? Nerve damage? heavy bleeding? Broken wrists? Permenant scarring? Would he still be able to use his hands at all? What effect would this have on his shoulders?

3. How quickly would they do this damage? Would it happen more or less right away, or would it take minutes or hours?

Hopefully someone will have some idea of this. I don't know that much about handcuffs, and I don't plan on trying this myself to see what it does to me (not that I'm suggesting any of you have tried it) but someone here could probably speak with more authority than me.

By the way, can anyone tell me how difficult it is to pick standard handcuffs with, say, a papreclip and some practice? That's another plot point.

Thanks,
Liam
Click to expand...

http://www.neurology.org/content/41/1/145

LW 09 Dec 2011

#10

This is kind of an odd question, but I hope someone will be able to answer it. I'm writing a book (or trying to, anyway) and a part of one character's backstory involves him being suspended by his wrists from a pair of handcuffs. Now here's the questions:

1. Would a standard pair of handcuffs actually be able to hold the weight of a full-grown man, or would they just break?

2. If they could hold that much weight at all, how much damage would they do? Nerve damage? heavy bleeding? Broken wrists? Permenant scarring? Would he still be able to use his hands at all? What effect would this have on his shoulders?

3. How quickly would they do this damage? Would it happen more or less right away, or would it take minutes or hours?

Hopefully someone will have some idea of this. I don't know that much about handcuffs, and I don't plan on trying this myself to see what it does to me (not that I'm suggesting any of you have tried it) but someone here could probably speak with more authority than me.

By the way, can anyone tell me how difficult it is to pick standard handcuffs with, say, a papreclip and some practice? That's another plot point.

Thanks,
Liam
Click to expand...

No one commented on how dexterity would be affected. I think you would not be able to move your hands in any useful way. Any way that you were suspended, either with the handcuff chain passing over a hook, or hands wrapped around a pipe or the rafters, you would not be able to move your hands into position to pick the locks. Try it sometime! Even if you are not hanging and your hands are cuffed in front of you, it takes every bit of flexibility to unlock the cuffs even if you have the key in your hands. Lock them on with your palms facing out or keyholes facing up would make it even harder (and impossible while hanging).