Tag: locks

This is Part 3 of a TCH (Total Control Handcuffs) Handcuffs Special three part review series featuring the TCH Twinlock cuffs. In Part 3 we will be looking at the 842 Rigid Twinlock cuffs with RCP5 Handcuff Pouch, NCG Neoprene Cuff Guard, plus an overview of handcuffing techniques. As a bonus, Part 3 also includes Tactical Reviews’ interpretation of the TOOOL universal handcuff key and ‘alternative’ prepping uses for handcuffs.
TCH Handcuffs Twinlock Special – Part 1 covered the 932 and 822 Twinlock cuffs, SK5 and SK6 keys, plus the 9201 belt pouch. TCH Handcuffs Twinlock Special – Part 2 included the 852 Folding Rigid Twinlock, 832 Superior Hinge Twinlock, TCH HR Handcuff Reducer plus the 9200 and 9215 Handcuff Pouches.
Join me here for Part 3 of the TCH Handcuffs Special review as we continue our look over these excellent cuffs and the Twinlock dual keyway design.

First look round the model 842 Rigid Twinlock cuffs:
These 842 cuffs are currently the go-to standard issue for the UK Police force, although not all issue cuffs will be the Twinlock option, but more likely the single lock version.
Rigid cuffs and their handling makes speedcuffing the norm, at least for the first wrist. From the first photo in this gallery the rotating arm of the cuffs are ‘back loaded’ ready for rapid cuffing.

The RCP5 Handcuff Pouch:
Being fully rigid, the 842s need a different approach for belt carry to all other folding cuffs. The RCP5 pouch has to hold these cuffs differently to any of the folding versions, and because of this the retaining strap has to use the military style press stud with a ‘dot’ that only opens from one side. The RCP5 comes with a warning label to inform you how to use this type of press-stud if you haven’t come across them before. The press-stud directly next to the cuffs is fitted so that the side against the cuffs cannot be pulled open from the cuff side, instead it can only be lifted open from the side away from the cuffs. Like this any pressure on the cuffs while carrying them can’t cause the retaining strap to open unintentionally.

NCG Neoprene Cuff Guard:
Provided for comfort during training only, this is not for use when restraining a suspect. During training all personnel will be cuffed and un-cuffed repeatedly, not always gently, and the NCG means the trainees need not suffer too much with speedcuffing and reverse stack practice.

Standard cuffing techniques:
Here we have a demonstration of the main cuffing methods using traditional chain cuffs and rigid cuffs with two TCH models. All methods are shown full body and zoomed in on the hands.
With chain models like the 822 you can only use ‘palm to palm’ (to the front), or ‘back to back’ (behind the back).
A fixed or hinge model now allows for the ‘stack’ where the hands face different directions through the cuffs.
So with the folding fixed 852 model here, we have ‘palm to palm’ (to the front), then ‘front stack’. Now moving to ‘back to back’ (behind the back), and then the ‘rear stack’. Rear stack is the most uncomfortable for the restrained person and should only be used if absolutely necessary.

Tactical Reviews’ interpretation of the TOOOL universal handcuff key:
Taking a slight aside during this review I came across the TOOOL (The Open Organisation Of Lockpickers) Universal handcuff key with information posted by ‘Deviant Ollam’. Taking this as inspiration I brought together ideas from other universal handcuff keys, and produced a few Tactical Reviews Universal handcuff keys. The TOOOL version was based on the Smith & Wesson Handcuff key, but as I was not able to source one at a sensible price, I decided to use the TCH key. In fact the key flag on the Smith & Wesson key is too long to fit into TCH cuffs, so for that key you have to file the key flag down. By starting with the TCH key, it already fits TCH cuffs perfectly. The width of the key flag slot is governed by the width of the junior hacksaw blade used to cut it.
Building on the TOOOL key, I also added a back-cut at 22 degrees. This allows for the key to be rocked back and forward in case the key flag is too long or short. It also gives more allowance for the key post size otherwise being too large. In short to give wiggle room to help open different cuffs.
In this gallery, the first image is of the first version I made. Next up is a second key but this time with the back-cut added, with the last image just showing the dimensions that were altered to make the key. there is no height shown for the key flag, as this was not modified from the original TCH key.

‘Alternative’ uses for handcuffs:
In terms of ‘Prepping’, handcuffs can actually be a very useful bit of kit to carry for several reasons. Here I am showing just three uses, as a bike lock, to secure a bag or other item you might want to leave for a few moments (in which time someone might take it). With the bag, clearly it doesn’t stop someone going through it, but is stops a quick snatch and run. And in the last photo, when you are resting, again to protect some possessions by preventing an easy theft.
Beyond these starter ideas, it can be used to hang items up, if required to secure someone that may be acting against you, as a rope weight if trying to throw a line to someone, to ‘hold’ a button down with the ratchet allowing adjustment as required. The list goes on for when you might need a second pair of hands.

TCH and the Twinlock:
A lot has been covered in this three part review, and hopefully you can see the quality, strength and reliability of TCH (chosen by the UK Police as the standard handcuff). The Twinlock concept makes for easier unlocking especially if the person is not cooperative so is well worth considering as when you want it, it will make a big difference.

Going back to Parts 1 and 2:

TCH Handcuffs Twinlock Special – Part 1 covered the 932 and 822 Twinlock cuffs, SK5 and SK6 keys, plus the 9201 belt pouch. TCH Handcuffs Twinlock Special – Part 2 included the 852 Folding Rigid Twinlock, 832 Superior Hinge Twinlock, TCH HR Handcuff Reducer plus the 9200 and 9215 Handcuff Pouches.

Video Review

This video covers all the TCH models that appear in the special three part review series, and will be included in all three parts of the review for ease of access. It might be worth taking a look over the image galleries before diving into the video.

Full list of TCH products featured in the three part special series:

832 Superior Hinge Twinlock
932 Lightweight Superior Hinge Twinlock
852 Folding Rigid Twinlock – Red grip
842 Rigid Twinlock
822 Superior Chain Twinlock – Black finish

Accessories –
SK5 Flat Swivel key
SK6 Tubular Swivel key
NCG Neoprene Cuff Guard
TCH HR Handcuff Reducer
TCH 9200 Handcuff Pouch (for 822)
TCH 9201 Handcuff Pouch (for 832/932)
TCH 9215 Handcuff Pouch (for 852)
TCH RCP5 Handcuff Pouch (for 842)

 
Discussing the Review:
The ideal place to discuss this review is on the Tactical Reviews Facebook Page
Please visit there and start/join the conversation.

This is Part 2 of a TCH (Total Control Handcuffs) Handcuffs Special three part review series featuring the TCH Twinlock cuffs. In Part 2 we will be looking at the 852 Folding Rigid Twinlock, 832 Superior Hinge Twinlock, TCH HR Handcuff Reducer plus the 9200 and 9215 Handcuff Pouches.
TCH Handcuffs Twinlock Special – Part 1 covered the 932 and 822 Twinlock cuffs, SK5 and SK6 keys, plus the 9201 belt pouch, and Part three will include the 842 Rigid Twinlock with RCP5 Handcuff Pouch, NCG Neoprene Cuff Guard along with handcuffing techniques, the TOOOL customised universal handcuff key and ‘alternative’ uses for handcuffs.
Join me here for Part 2 of the TCH Handcuffs Special review as we continue our look over these excellent cuffs and the Twinlock dual keyway design.

First look round the model 852 folding rigid handcuffs:
These 852 cuffs are in the ‘training colour’ of red, although there is no reason not to use red for restraint, the only difference is the colour of the plastic, and nothing else.
With the 852 folding rigid, although the first impression is ‘chunky’, but when you put them next to a pair of rigid cuffs, the space saving is clear. The folding mechanism makes them so much easier to carry but still gives you fully rigid cuffs.

The 852’s special hinge – Things to look out for here are:
The 852 takes the power and control of the rigid handcuff and adds a locking hinge to allow then to be folded for easier carry. As the cuffs are opened, a wide latch engages on each side of the hinge. The centre of the hinge has another keyway for a standard TCH handcuff key to unlock the hinge and allow the 852 to fold.

Twinlock security features:
As with the other Twinlock models, in this gallery I’m showing close-ups of the triple pawl locking mechanism, the double-lock pin mechanism, and a key fitted into the primary and secondary keyways. There is a difference in the key hole position and rotation for the primary and secondary keyways. Being a rigid model (folding but also rigid) the back-loading preparation of the rotating arm is relevant and one of these photos shows the 852 back-loaded.

Looking round the 9215 leather belt pouch:
A quick aside to look at the 9215 leather belt pouch made for the 852 cuffs. Constructed from heavy duty leather, it will stand up to hard use.

Looking round the 9200 leather belt pouch:
And the second pouch in this review is the 9200 leather belt pouch made for the hinged or chain cuff models. Here it is shown with the 832.

Model 832 – Superior hinged cuffs with Twinlock:
In part 1 we looked at the 932 which is the lightweight version of the all steel 832. Showing the main design features, this gallery looks more at the twinlock design with keys fitted to show the positions.

TCH HR Handcuff Reducer:
To allow for smaller wrists than average, TCH makes an insert for the cuffs that reduces the minimum size the cuff can hold securely. The insert slips in between the two halves of the double strand (the fixed part of the cuff), pushed up against the single strand rivet (Single strand being another term for the rotating arm). In this position the rotating arm can move past it and lock into place. With the reducer in place it is not possible to push the rotating arm all the way through the cuff, so it prevents speedcuffing.

Part 1 and coming up in Part 3:

TCH Handcuffs Twinlock Special – Part 1 covered the 932 and 822 Twinlock cuffs, SK5 and SK6 keys, plus the 9201 belt pouch.

Part three will include the 842 Rigid Twinlock with RCP5 Handcuff Pouch, NCG Neoprene Cuff Guard along with handcuffing techniques, the TOOOL customised universal handcuff key and ‘alternative’ uses for handcuffs.

Video Review

This video covers all the TCH models that appear in the special three part review series, and will be included in all three parts of the review for ease of access. It might be worth taking a look over the image galleries before diving into the video.

Full list of TCH products featured in the three part special series:

832 Superior Hinge Twinlock
932 Lightweight Superior Hinge Twinlock
852 Folding Rigid Twinlock – Red grip
842 Rigid Twinlock
822 Superior Chain Twinlock – Black finish

Accessories –
SK5 Flat Swivel key
SK6 Tubular Swivel key
NCG Neoprene Cuff Guard
TCH HR Handcuff Reducer
TCH 9200 Handcuff Pouch (for 822)
TCH 9201 Handcuff Pouch (for 832/932)
TCH 9215 Handcuff Pouch (for 852)
TCH RCP5 Handcuff Pouch (for 842)

 
Discussing the Review:
The ideal place to discuss this review is on the Tactical Reviews Facebook Page
Please visit there and start/join the conversation.