Hidden handcuff keys are perpetually popping up all over the place — from bracelets to cufflinks, manufacturers keep coming up with clever concealment concepts.
Today I have two pictures to share — one is new to me and the other is not — which merit a moment’s attention.
Zipper-Pull Non-Metallic Covert Hide Out Handcuff Key
The first item appeared on the Internet back in October 2011, but there has been a flurry of recent activity about it in the past two days (including a post on the Police1 Facebook Page) , so a reminder here on Police1 is worthwhile.
The retailer — ASR Tactical — describes the item as being perhaps “one of the ultimate Hidden-in-Plain-Sight items.”
Their online product description goes on to say that it “can be attached to any zipper on your jacket, pants, etc. The key remains completely hidden, and is simply pushed out from its housing when required in an emergency.”
I’m really not sure how effective this item is, but if the user comments on Amazon may be an indication — they’re amusing, that’s for sure.
• This product was cheaply made and would not open a pair of handcuffs. The tip of the key was weak and would just bend over when trying to open the lock. I would’ve had better luck with a bent over paper clip.
• These are crap. First, you can’t get them out of the sleeve without a lot of effort and second, they won’t unlock a handcuff. They just bend!
• What a joke. Can’t get it out when you need to and bends. Then you get the crap kicked out of you by the po po.
Those are some solid testimonials (you just can’t make this stuff up!) from the core customer base.
On a More Serious Note...
The second item is one I found while searching this morning for any newly-released covert handcuff keys being sold on Amazon, eBay, and other sites. I haven’t handled this product either — nor would I, except perhaps in an evidence room — but it probably doesn’t have the bending problems of the first item.
The ZAK TOOL ZT 99 Universal Fit Survival Keys touts two (a Mr. and Mrs. matching set?) “heat-treated stainless steel keys” which are allegedly “compatible with all standard series handcuffs.”
The product description goes on to say “When it comes to your survival and safety, two is one and one is none,” so when you’re looking for these things, remember the plus-one rule!
While you’re at it, please keep in mind what a very good LEO friend of mine says — and I’m paraphrasing here — “search small to find big.”
Sure, there may be a niche market out there for law-abiding, stand-up citizens to possess such an item as a concealed handcuff key — Joe Citizen might be afraid of being cuffed by a bad guy during the commission of a crime — but more often than not, these escape tools end up in the hands of those very same bad guys who want to escape arrest.
Stay safe out there my friends.
