Hi. I am looking into some Escapology and I want to maybe start with handcuffs. Where can I learn how to do this? Thanks.

well
if you have enough money , you should buy escapology by dixie dooley,
very good dvds, he teaches it well too,

-russell

I might point out that starting to learn escapology by 'starting with handcuffs' is rather like wanting to begin in magic by 'starting with stage illusions.'

Escapes from handcuffs, particularly if you are thinking in terms of learning enough to accept or stage an occasional challenge, is a very specialized facet of escapology requiring a lot of study and expense. While purchasing ONE handcuff (legit or gaffed) is one thing, 'learning handcuffs' is a different matter entirely. As the late Prynce Wheeler pointed out, to be a handcuff king, you first have to become a HANDCUFF COLLECTOR, so you will know what you are working with.

My suggestion is to get a few good, all-around books on escapes (Cannon's Great Escapes sells several, including the 'Encyclopedia of Escapes') to get a good 'survey' education on escapes.
Learn some basic principles (rope ties, chain releases, boxes, bags, etc.) Learn how to PRESENT escapes (learn from other escape performers, or try to find a copy of Burling Hull's "Gold Medal Showmanship,' which has a chapter on Showmanship for the Escape Artist; Abbott's Magic Co. might still carry it).
Beyond doing a simple escape with ONE handcuff, truly LEARNING handcuffs will require you to begin the expensive (but fascinating) hobby of COLLECTING handcuffs.

To get you started:

http://www.cannonsgreatescapes.net/

http://handcuffwarehouse.com/

Good luck.

Dont buy this set of dvds for the handcuffs escape, it is not taught very well at all in the dvds. Best to check out the links Dr. Midnight posted.

I wouldn't recomend you start with smith and weston style handcuffs like the police use. They require a bit of practice to get it so you can get out of them quickly and quietly. In the mean time I'd suggest you use either Siberian chains, thumb cuffs, or chain shackles. They're easy to work with.

The ins and outs of handcuff work are discussed in the book The Art of Escape volume 1 by Joh Novak. The series itself is invaluable to an aspiring escape artist. Best of luck.

Wow, thanks everyone for the advice. Im sorry to sound so noobish when it comes to this topic. I see so many magicians do some kinda of an escape in there act and I want to learn how to get out of handcuffs. I cant get the Dixie Dooley series right now cuz my parents wont let me but I was just looking for something on handcuff escapology now then move on. Thanks for the help. By the way, I should have clarified this and sorry for not doing so but I already have two pairs of cuffs. I have no idea what brand they are but I was looking for a PDF, video, DVD etc to teach me how to escape from them.

Then dont buy dixie doley, check out cannons.

Speaking of Cannon's Great Escape's check out the video for their new "Seance Cuffs"
http://darkartsmedia.com/SeanceDarby.html

There is also a trailer of their upcoming Escape Artist Convention!

try here, I've still got round to getting it myself but I did just get paid so it's on my shopping list. It's nothing but handcuffs. Also, this shop sells nothing but handcuffs and restraints. I got a pair of vipers off eBay, quite cheap so keep your eye out there for getting them. Other wise the handcuff shop is quite good. Have fun with escaping, and just remember to keep the spare key obvious, just in case you need a little help...

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I was looking for some fuzzy handcuffs for my girlfriend. Couldn't find any there.

Hey Blong. Smith and Wessons 100's are a great cuff to start learning handcuff escapes with. The are the easiest to escape from. With a bobby pin and an hours worth of practice you should be able to easily release yourself from the cuffs while in front and in back of you. www.handcuffwarehouse.com is a great site for cheap cuffs.

I would like to point out though you should really start escapology by learning rope ties and escaping from ropes. Then chaines, then handcuffs, then straight jackets. From there you can learn larger illusion type of escapes and even underwater escapes. Make sure to always keep safety in mind before you attempt an escape.

Actually, that depends on what is meant by 'learning handcuffs.'

If that means a simple handcuff escape or two, yes.

If that means training to be able to accept occasional challenges (a virtual 'handcuff king' routine), handcuff training can and should be an ongoing effort while learning other escapes (straitjackets, stage escapes, etc.)

Also, on an unrelated tangent, underwater escapes are in their own classification, and what works on dry land could be deadly in water.

Handcuffs you must learn to pick the lock on them first, then learn maybe key hiding or buy a gimmick that is a ring but you can bend a part of it so a key comes up and you can unlock the cuffs.

Again, it depends on what makes and models we're talking about. There are handcuffs and there are handcuffs...

I don't recommend starting by trying to pick a Tower Double Lock (double locked) or a Chubb Escort.

If you are going to use a key or a gimick, then why would you need to learn how to pick them?