Handcuffs are a standard with the police force, although they are also becoming popular with people who want to use them for Halloween and other parties.  The design of handcuffs is such that the rings could be used to enclose the wrists and tightened so as to contain the person’s hands and arms.  They can only be unlocked with the use of a key, although older types of handcuffs could be unlocked using a pointed device.  Today’s handcuffs have improved over those that were in use just 5 or 10 years ago.  Regardless, handcuffs have remained as one of the top restraining devices for personal and law enforcement use.

What are handcuffs?
Handcuffs are ring-shaped restraints that are used to lock the wrists together or at least to keep them close in front of or behind the body.  Most handcuffs are made from metal, although there are models that have a slightly different design that are made from tough plastic.  These come in disposable strips that are commonly known as ‘plasticuffs’, which are now being used by many personnel in law enforcement.

The point of the handcuff is to control the movements of a person and prevent him from running away.  Since people need their hands and arms for balance and momentum, handcuffs limit their ability to run fast or to hit with more force.  They can also be used to restrain a person in one location.

Choosing the right handcuffs
There are certain designs and features that mark quality handcuffs.  These include:

Lockable
Handcuffs are designed to be unlocked by a key.  The best handcuffs are those that are not easily unlocked by other means.  Many of the handcuffs being sold today come with double locks for extra security.  This makes it difficult for the restrained person to easily open the cuffs and escape.

Ease of use
Another good feature to look for in handcuffs is the number of hinges.  Older types are two-hinged cuffs but there are models that are tri-hinged.  The extra hinge allows for easy lifting of the cuff over the wrist to enclose it.  Double-hinged cuffs generally require full opening of the ring in order for the wrist to be slipped in.  This can be especially helpful in case the person is resisting, allowing for easier enclosure of the wrists.

Material
Handcuffs are typically made of metal, usually plated with nickel or zinc.  The plating gives the cuff their shine and also provides a smooth, protective barrier for the skin on the wrists.

Safety device
Another feature that quality restraining devices such as handcuffs should have is the safety catch.  This is designed into the product to help prevent the cuffs from tightening too much around the person’s wrist.  Handcuffs that are too tight restrict the flow of blood, which could be a health concern on the individual being restrained.