Victor Works Model 1035 Irish 8 Rigid Handcuffs with Hamburg 8 Locking Mechanism

These are the Victor Works model 1035 Irish 8 style handcuffs with a Hamburg 8 locking mechanism. I am unsure of the age of these, but I do not see VW often at all.

These are a solid, rigid handcuff that have a somewhat simplistic locking mechanism. The key is basically a shim by any other name. The key is pressed into the keyway and this is enough to unlock them. So if you have a flat-head screwdriver, you can also disengage the lock. So, not very high security UNLESS they are applied adequately. If these are placed on someone in a rear stack position with the keyhole facing downwards, it would make escaping very difficult. The key is hard to insert by hand and the more outward force is placed on the cuffs, the harder the key is to press into the mechanism to unlock them. So the best way to unlock these yourself is to get the key into the hole and then relax all force on the cuffs and press the key down inside using your chin or a pushing up under a tale top etc so that you're not struggling against the cuffs while pressing the key in.

For a larger person like me, if you put rigid cuffs like these on with your palms facing each other, it is very restrictive because the more you pull your arms in towards you, the more your arms need to separate, which the cuffs won't allow. So it can be painful and maybe even snap bones if you try too quick or fall down while wearing the in such a position. SO be warned! Stack positions are most advisable. I demo a front stack but if you do the same thing behind the back that should also be safe.

This is the first example in my collection of Victor Works, which is nice. Also the first Hamburg 8 mechanism that I have. They are made in Pakistan, similarly to KUB or KUBIND handcuffs and leg irons etc.

A very restrictive handcuff, like the two KUB rigid ones I did videos on prior.

Enjoy!

KUB Kubind KB-917 Large Irish 8 Handcuffs A Recreation Of Old UK Design.

These are a rigid handcuff from Kub in Pakistan, based off the classic Irish 8 with Darby locking mechanism. Prior to the invention of the Darby locking mechanism, they used a special nut and key in the Plug 8 model.

Though this has a classic style of Darby locking mechanism, no other Darby key I have will fit. It will bite a very slight bit, that in an emergency if you lost your one key you might be able to pull against the spring and get them open. But only Kub keys will fit this handcuff, based on my experience.

The spring is not too strong, which is nice. There are 2 hinges, because not only does the main part of the shackle need to fold down over the wrists, but then the other hinge is so that the locking tube can swing into position and lock. They snap shut and are locked without having to use the key, like most Darby handcuffs.

Very restrictive! I have a pair in the Large Men size (according to the official box). I have somewhat large hands and take a large or extra large Nitrile glove. My right hand & wrist are larger than my left and in the largest side of the handcuffs (closest to the locking tube), I can spin either of my wrists around in that side, which helps to use the key to get out of them without needing help! But if you have a more snug fit, you might struggle to get out of these handcuffs without having another pair of hands to help out...

I do not have any genuine old Plug 8 or Irish 8, but at least I have modern, good quality representations of these two styles of handcuffs from this Pakistan company Kub aka Kubind. Genuine old ones, such as by Hiatt, tend to be quite expensive.

Enjoy!

KUB 115 Plug 8 Handcuffs A Recreation Of Old British Design. Made in Pakistan. Nice Quality!

These are a set of Plug 8 handcuffs made in Pakistan by KUB (short for KUBIND). Model 115 or KB-115.

They are a recreation of an old British design that I believe pre-dates the regular Darby style.

These were apparently used mainly for transferring prisoners to and from court and possibly used in prisons, as I have read somewhere.

I think these weren't used as regular-use handcuffs for some reason. They are quite limiting and bulky.

It was difficult to do the on-person demo of these because of the difficulty and discomfort involved in operating them on yourself without help. This on-person demo is the second take. The first take I did took ages. I kept dropping the key, dropping the plug and it absolutely killed my wrist. I was stuck in them for a few minutes while I let my wrists have a little rest before continuing.

They are made very well, are nice and smooth and are very good quality. I believe they are made of brass and they're nickel plated.

They have a little plug that seals the keyway to add extra security. Why do you need to screw the key in before you can interact with the actual mechanism? (I thought). Well, I think it is both to make the keyway smaller, because now you have threading to negotiate instead of it being a wide open keyway. Also, the plug it's self acts as a barrier to picking. Sort of a double lock feature. So if people were put in these handcuffs with the backs of their hands facing the lock mechanism, and the plug was installed, it would be EXTREMELY difficult to escape them. Not only are your hands facing the wrong way, the keyway narrowed because of threading, but also the exterior threading means it's fiddly and precise to get the key into the keyway. If you do not align the key properly it's super difficult to get the key to screw in. Pretty high security! (I'm sure Coxyspicks may disagree 🤣) I bet this is why they were used during transport when going to court.

Enjoy!