What makes a pair of speedcuffs good?

I really wouldn't mind getting a pair (or a few) of speedcuffs but frankly I have no idea where to start or what to go/look for.

Any thoughts, folks?

Thanks!

Start with eBay. Speed cuffs aren't rare or antique, that i know of. I recently purchased a nice pair for under 50 US dollars.

ryanvaenenotloggedin wrote: ↑

Aug 25, 2020

Start with eBay.  Speed cuffs aren't rare or antique,  that i know of.  I recently purchased a nice pair for under 50 US dollars.

I mean, finding them isn't the problem, knowing where to start in knowing what to get is! lol. I mean, are they really all that different? :S

Depends on what you are looking for. There are ones that have a pass thru hole in them for a belly chain. There are some that use something besides a standard key. Price you are willing to spend. Some have more pawls than a regular cuff, to make them more pick resistant. Hiatt makes a couple of nice versions. ASP makes a few, but they are more expensive. There are a few companies that make a "deluxe" version that can be folded like a hinged cuff, but open to be made rigid. They have a lock in the center of them, to keep them open, until you use the key to fold them again. Kind of best of both worlds, but the cuffs are a lot thicker when folded. Hiatt, TCH and ASP are a few of the companies to make that style. Now, ASP has the folding/rigid cuff for sale on the ASP website. Look in the "factory sale" its listed in the "Outlet Sale section. You an get either the regular steel bow or the lighter weight aluminum bow. Each one is under $45ea. The nice thing about the ASP design, is that you can buy pawl kits to change the keys out on them. The whole pawl cartridge is replaceable. Look on their site for more info on them. That price is a smokin' deal for that cuff!
-Richard Knip-

Oooh, thanks so much for such a detailed response, appreciate it!

I would say the primary benefit to speedcuffs is security.. You put them on behind your back the with the keyholes facing inward and you aren't opening them very easily even with the key in your hand... They also eliminate chain binding concerns and weak hinged designs that succumb to bar fatigue.. Like the peerless hinged model that guy in las vegas ripped apart.. Peerless must have been embarrassed to see that.

To make any pair of speedcuffs effective, its best to use them as they do in the U.K. They stack the wrists, instead of running them side by side. Used in this position, they are pretty effective. Used like this behind the back, eliminates the step through attempts and is a pretty secure way of using the cuffs. Even when applied in front, with the wrists, turned out, its still an effective cuff. . The vertical cuff body,, also makes for a great handle for the officer to use, when transporting a suspect. This has been the go to in the U.K., for quite a while now.
-Richard Knip-

Richard that was very well stated.

Spencer

And well stacked lol

I'm not sure about the ASP cuffs as their chained variety are probably the most comfortable to wear, but the TCH Speedcuffs are very unforgiving and can be very uncomfortable for long term use, but aren't all cuffs meant not to be comfortable? Security when properly applied is good, and if a subject is struggling they do give what is advertised as "pain compliance" which says it all!

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

djhalfdead wrote: ↑

Nov 09, 2020

To make any pair of speedcuffs effective, its best to use them as they do in the U.K. They stack the wrists, instead of running them side by side. Used in this position, they are pretty effective. Used like this behind the back, eliminates the step through attempts and is a pretty secure way of using the cuffs. Even when applied in front, with the wrists, turned out, its still an effective cuff. . The vertical cuff body,, also makes for a great handle for the officer to use, when transporting a suspect. This has been the go to in the U.K., for quite a while now.
-Richard Knip-main-qimg-5170401faad525e2c8268cf0f364cfb3-c.jpg

This is true. However in my experience a stack position with hands behind the back is the most uncomfortable way. As a pretty big guy, it's much more comfortable for regular palms facing outwards, which is still secure. I personally think a rear stack should be restricted for fit, dangerous people. Just my opinion.

Hand_Schellen wrote: ↑

Nov 12, 2020

I'm not sure about the ASP cuffs as their chained variety are probably the most comfortable to wear, but the TCH Speedcuffs are very unforgiving and can be very uncomfortable for long term use, but aren't all cuffs meant not to be comfortable? Security when properly applied is good, and if a subject is struggling they do give what is advertised as "pain compliance" which says it all!

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

Handcuffs are a straining device, not supposed to be a pain inflicting torture device. There is no good reason to purposefully have handcuffs be uncomfortable. I wish more handcuff companies would at least round the edges of their handcuffs. They are supposed to restrict someone, the more comfortable they are the less chance of injury and legal problems from people who get cuffed and people would be less likely to object if they were more comfortable. I would much rather be handcuffed with a pair of ASP than Alcyon and would rather be handcuffed with British TCH cuffs than the older Hiatt which feel slightly more angular and almost "sharp" in comparison. Comfort is a benefit to everyone concerned... in my opinion.

silentbd wrote:

Hand_Schellen wrote: ↑

Nov 12, 2020

I'm not sure about the ASP cuffs as their chained variety are probably the most comfortable to wear, but the TCH Speedcuffs are very unforgiving and can be very uncomfortable for long term use, but aren't all cuffs meant not to be comfortable? Security when properly applied is good, and if a subject is struggling they do give what is advertised as "pain compliance" which says it all!

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

Handcuffs are a straining device, not supposed to be a pain inflicting torture device. There is no good reason to purposefully have handcuffs be uncomfortable. I wish more handcuff companies would at least round the edges of their handcuffs. They are supposed to restrict someone, the more comfortable they are the less chance of injury and legal problems from people who get cuffed and people would be less likely to object if they were more comfortable. I would much rather be handcuffed with a pair of ASP than Alcyon and would rather be handcuffed with British TCH cuffs than the older Hiatt which feel slightly more angular and almost "sharp" in comparison. Comfort is a benefit to everyone concerned... in my opinion.

Click to expand...

I agree entirely, ASP with their rounded and contoured edges lead the field in this regard, the application if handcuffs by officers is meant to be regulated, but it's a common fact that it depends on both handcuffer and handcuffee as to how comfortable the application is carried out. I'm not sure if the silicone lining on the Yuil could be transposed to rigid handcuffs or what good if any that would achieve. Any thoughts?

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

I do not like the Yuil silicone. I have had at least 2 pairs and it always comes off. Not sure if it comes off naturally or after cleaning with solvents but what ever it is a flap starts to come undone and it then needs to be eventually completely scraped off to ensure it does not flap over and get jammed in the mechanism. It was a nice idea but it would need to be implemented in a much better way in my opinion. But they are good while they are still stuck on properly.

ASP probably has the best chance of building on the idea of comfort but their cuffs still feel like hard plastic against the wrists and still leave marks.. Yuil silicone is an awesome idea but they probably need to coat the whole handcuff in some kind of better bonding silicone material while still allowing it to function

One of the big advantages of Speedcuffs is that they are incredibly versatile. They can be applied with palms facing or palms back to back - in front, behind or stacked ..... have I missed any other configurations?

Bearded Mike wrote: ↑

Jun 09, 2021

One of the big advantages of Speedcuffs is that they are incredibly versatile. They can be applied with palms facing or palms back to back - in front, behind or stacked ..... have I missed any other configurations?

Surely any cuff can be used for the hands in any position?

No. The hands can't be stacked if you're using chain cuffs.