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How to Escape from Handcuffs Download Article Co-authored by David Martinez
Last Updated: May 5, 2025 Fact Checked
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Escaping Handcuffs with a Makeshift Key
|
Escaping Standard Handcuffs with a Shim
|
Escaping Zip Ties
|
How Can You Learn to Escape from Handcuffs?
|
Video
|
Expert Interview
|
Warnings
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by David Martinez. David Martinez is a Magician based in San Jose, CA. David has over 20 years of experience and has performed throughout Northern California at weddings, private parties, team-building events, and more. He has notably performed for some of the biggest companies in the world, including Apple, Google, Facebook, and Uber. David previously served as President of the Silicon Valley Chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and has received awards for Close-Up, Walk-Around, and Stage performances. In 2023, he co-authored Amaze and Delight: Secrets to Creating Magic in Business, aimed at helping individuals and organizations nurture healthy and happy business cultures. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,452,369 times.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to escape handcuffs, it is entirely possible to do so using ordinary objects. Handcuffs have standard locking mechanisms that can easily be unlocked with a makeshift key or shim.[1]X Expert Source David MartinezProfessional MagicianExpert Interview Using a makeshift key is an intricate process but it carries less risk than using a shim, which may result in tighter restraints. Zip ties have a similar locking mechanism as handcuffs, but they can also be broken if you put enough pressure and force into them.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Escaping Handcuffs with a Makeshift Key
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1 Find a bobby pin, paper clip, or piece of wire. To create a makeshift key, you will need a thin, bendable piece of metal. Look around you to locate a bobby pin, paper clip, or piece of wire. Be sure that the wire is strong enough to act as a key.[2]X Expert Source David MartinezProfessional MagicianExpert Interview
If you are using a bobby pin, be sure to remove the plastic tip if there is one.
2 Straighten out the metal. If you are working with a bobby pin, use your thumb and forefinger to pull apart its two sides to straighten it out. If you are using a paper clip, brace the middle between your fingers on one hand and use the other hand to pull it open to make a straight piece of wire. Uncurl or unbend any other type of wire you may be using. Advertisement
3 Bend the tip of your bobby pin, paper clip, or wire. Hold the end of your strand of metal between your two index fingers. Position one finger about a quarter of an inch (approximately 0.6 cm) down from the tip. Use the other finger to bend the top of the metal into a 90 degree angle.[3]XResearch source
The bent tip of your makeshift key should only fit halfway into the handcuff lock.
4 Place the tip into the keyhole and bend the metal backwards. Using your fingers, feel around to find the keyhole on the handcuffs. Direct the tip of your makeshift key inside of it. Once you've inserted the tip all the way into the lock, bend your key backwards to make another 90 degree angle.[4]XResearch source
Remove the key to feel it. The end of your key should now be in a sort of "Z" shape.
5 Insert the "key" in the hole. Find the hole again with your fingers. Wiggle the bent part into the hole so that it points toward the locking arm. It should be at a 90-degree angle to the keyhole.[5]XResearch source
6 Twist the key in different directions. Twist the key in different directions. Eventually the key should should lift the locking device inside and click the cuffs open. Be patient during this process as it may take some time.[6]XResearch source
7 Unlock an extra lock for double-lock handcuffs. Double-lock handcuffs are essentially regular handcuffs with an extra locking mechanism for added security. To get out of these, inset your makeshift key into the lock, pointing away from the center of the handcuffs. Twist the key until you feel a slight click, then remove the key and re-insert it the other way to unlock the basic locking mechanism.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Escaping Standard Handcuffs with a Shim
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1 Find a flat piece of metal. Find a piece of metal that is about as thin as a credit card. This "shim" should be narrow enough to fit into the locking mechanism on the cuffs. The metal clip on a pen could serve as a "shim," for instance.[7]XResearch source
2 Insert the shim between the locking mechanism and the teeth. Slide your shim up into the locking mechanism so that it runs along the teeth. You're essentially sticking the shim into the cuff along the rim. If your hands are behind your back, feel around slowly to locate this point and insert the shim carefully.[8]XResearch source
3 Tighten the cuff and push the shim. With the shim in place, tighten the cuff one notch. Push the shim forward as you tighten the cuff. Note that if you fail to unlock the handcuffs this way, you will end up restrained more tightly than before.[9]XResearch source
If you are successful, the handcuffs should click open.
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Escaping Zip Ties
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1 Use your teeth to tighten the zip tie, then break it. Brace the loose end of the zip tie between your teeth. Pull the strand of plastic upwards towards you, tightening the tie. As you pull it tighter, try to break the tie apart with your wrists.[10]XResearch source
The tightness should create a tension in the tie that makes it easier to break.
2 Use a shim to override the locking mechanism. Insert a small object into the locking bar of the zip tie. Once the locking bar is separated from the locks of the zip tie, you should be able to remove the tie from the locking mechanism. Try to use your fingernail, a small pin, a credit card, or anything else you can find.[11]XResearch source
The locking mechanism is essentially a small notch that digs between the tracks of the zip tie as you tighten it, keeping it secured.
3 Use your shoelaces to "saw" through the zip tie. If your hands are tied in front of you and you are wearing shoes with laces, reach down and untie them. Use your fingers and teeth to thread one shoelace though the zip tie. Attach it with a knot to a shoelace from your other foot so they connect between your wrist and the tie. Lift up your feet and kick your feet back and forth until the lace "saws" through the zip tie.[12]XResearch source
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How Can You Learn to Escape from Handcuffs?
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Warnings
Do not try to escape from handcuffs while in custody. Thanks Helpful 44 Not Helpful 50
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about magic tricks, check out our in-depth interview with David Martinez.
References
↑ David Martinez. Professional Magician. Expert Interview
↑ David Martinez. Professional Magician. Expert Interview
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwGJlJT80-I
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbJeCweMpVg
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbJeCweMpVg
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jo5A6yN_qc
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oroOsxox0uU
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N33VoudoH3E
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N33VoudoH3E
More References (3)
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSfAus8S3Gw
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXgrdbxzSow
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLexCerf_lE
About This Article
Co-authored by: David Martinez Professional Magician This article was co-authored by David Martinez. David Martinez is a Magician based in San Jose, CA. David has over 20 years of experience and has performed throughout Northern California at weddings, private parties, team-building events, and more. He has notably performed for some of the biggest companies in the world, including Apple, Google, Facebook, and Uber. David previously served as President of the Silicon Valley Chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and has received awards for Close-Up, Walk-Around, and Stage performances. In 2023, he co-authored Amaze and Delight: Secrets to Creating Magic in Business, aimed at helping individuals and organizations nurture healthy and happy business cultures. This article has been viewed 1,452,369 times. 10 votes - 86% Co-authors: 52Updated: May 5, 2025 Views: 1,452,369 Categories: Self Defense In other languages Spanish Portuguese Russian Italian German Indonesian French Dutch Japanese
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Reader Success Stories
AbbsTheCrabbs
Jun 22, 2017
"The standard handcuffs with makeshift key helped the most. Please add more detail to the others - what can I use to get the metal for the shim? What if people are making sure I can't escape the zip ties that way? Thank you."..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story
Did this article help you?
Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: David Martinez Professional Magician Co-authors: 52Updated: May 5, 2025 Views: 1,452,36986% of readers found this article helpful. 10 votes - 86% Click a star to add your vote
AbbsTheCrabbs
Jun 22, 2017
"The standard handcuffs with makeshift key helped the most. Please add more detail to the others - what can I use to get the metal for the shim? What if people are making sure I can't escape the zip ties that way? Thank you."..." more
Anonymous
Dec 6, 2017
"Handcuff ties! Escaping from handcuff ties was a matter of simply closing your hand and placing your thumb side closer to the other side ( near small finger) so the width of your hand is the same width as your wrist. Then slip your wrist through."..." more
Anonymous
May 5, 2025
"This is amazing because wikiHow is the best platform for learning anything, and I really appreciate the developers. This site is open source for people; "ONE DAY YOU'LL SUCCEED.""..." more
Anonymous
Jun 17, 2016
"The fact that the author gave multiple methods was nice. They also used good English (hard to come by on the Internet)!"..." more
EVA RIZO
Aug 30, 2024
"It helped me understand how to get out of handcuffs; it was great." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Co-authored by: David Martinez Professional Magician This article was co-authored by David Martinez. David Martinez is a Magician based in San Jose, CA. David has over 20 years of experience and has performed throughout Northern California at weddings, private parties, team-building events, and more. He has notably performed for some of the biggest companies in the world, including Apple, Google, Facebook, and Uber. David previously served as President of the Silicon Valley Chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and has received awards for Close-Up, Walk-Around, and Stage performances. In 2023, he co-authored Amaze and Delight: Secrets to Creating Magic in Business, aimed at helping individuals and organizations nurture healthy and happy business cultures. This article has been viewed 1,452,369 times. 10 votes - 86% Co-authors: 52 Updated: May 5, 2025 Views: 1,452,369 Categories: Self Defense In other languages Spanish Portuguese Russian Italian German Indonesian French Dutch Japanese 
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1 Find a bobby pin, paper clip, or piece of wire. To create a makeshift key, you will need a thin, bendable piece of metal. Look around you to locate a bobby pin, paper clip, or piece of wire. Be sure that the wire is strong enough to act as a key.[2] 
2 Straighten out the metal. If you are working with a bobby pin, use your thumb and forefinger to pull apart its two sides to straighten it out. If you are using a paper clip, brace the middle between your fingers on one hand and use the other hand to pull it open to make a straight piece of wire. Uncurl or unbend any other type of wire you may be using. Advertisement 
7 Unlock an extra lock for double-lock handcuffs. Double-lock handcuffs are essentially regular handcuffs with an extra locking mechanism for added security. To get out of these, inset your makeshift key into the lock, pointing away from the center of the handcuffs. Twist the key until you feel a slight click, then remove the key and re-insert it the other way to unlock the basic locking mechanism. Advertisement 
1 Find a flat piece of metal. Find a piece of metal that is about as thin as a credit card. This "shim" should be narrow enough to fit into the locking mechanism on the cuffs. The metal clip on a pen could serve as a "shim," for instance.[7] 
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