MtB Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 Just idly reading the info recieved with an old BW licence application form and I see they say "a handcuff key is also required to open some of the locks on British Waterways navigations." No further clues given! So, does anybody know what a handcuff key is, and which locks I'll be needing one for..? Cheers, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzyduck Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 (edited) here's a BW list of where required. and where to get em from. (i believe the list is not complete.) http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/images/H..._tcm6-72927.pdf and the 2nd picture down on the next link is a "handcuff key" https://www.waterscape.com/shop Edited July 22, 2007 by fuzzyduck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted July 22, 2007 Report Share Posted July 22, 2007 So, does anybody know what a handcuff key is, and which locks I'll be needing one for..? They're also called anti-vandal keys by some. They look a bit like radiator keys, just with a longer barrel, and are used to turn a square peg in a round hole to allow the lock top be operated normally. They've been out for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy-Neil Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 They're also called anti-vandal keys by some. They were renamed 'water conservation keys' by BW a few years ago in an effort to spin their purpose..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BGA Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 My suggestion is 'When you get one, attach a lanyard to it and attach the other end to you, cos you use it at locks and if you drop it, well it maybe a long walk to get another' . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanalWalker Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 I have one in my pocket right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHutch Posted July 23, 2007 Report Share Posted July 23, 2007 Corkball. - That what you need, and securely attached. - Also some locks use the bwb yale key as well. Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machpoint005 Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 (edited) Corkball. - That what you need, and securely attached. - Also some locks use the bwb yale key as well. Daniel Have you tried a corkball, attached to a handcuff key and a BW key, in a bowl bucket of water? You may well find it sinks! Better on a lanyard round your neck! Ian Edited because a bowl isn't deep enough Edited July 24, 2007 by Machpoint005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlt Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 I have one in my pocket right now. And I thought you were just pleased to see me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy-Neil Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 - Also some locks use the bwb yale key as well.Daniel The 'Watermate' key AKA sanitary station key before the BW spin doctors got at it..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHutch Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 Have you tried a corkball, attached to a handcuff key and a BW key, in a bucket of water? You may well find it sinks!Depends on the size of the corkball. - However i do take you point, although ours does float. As do our full set of boat keys. Just.The 'Watermate' key AKA sanitary station key...Its a key, with bwb stamp on it. That makes it a 'bwb key' in my book. Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machpoint005 Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 Depends on the size of the corkball, Daniel? Yours must be a 'really pleased to see you' size! Do the latest BWB keys have 'watermate' stamped on them? I bet they don't! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHutch Posted July 24, 2007 Report Share Posted July 24, 2007 Depends on the size of the corkball, Daniel? Yours must be a 'really pleased to see you' size!Haha, shes not small... - I have in the past actaully thought about the possabitly of sticking the thing in a lathe and making a more sensable weight. - But then i come to one thats a bit rusting that someones done up really hopping mad tight. And leave it on the boat as it is! Do the latest BWB keys have 'watermate' stamped on them? I bet they don't! Bought an extra one last year, £3.50, and it s'got "bwb" stamped on it, just like all the others. Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayalld Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 They're also called anti-vandal keys by some. They look a bit like radiator keys, just with a longer barrel, and are used to turn a square peg in a round hole to allow the lock top be operated normally. They've been out for years. Also known as "Leeds and Liverpool Keys", as that was the first waterway to use them AFAIK. The "handcuff" bit is beacuse the first apparatus that they were used to unlock looked like an onld fashioned handcuff on a length of chain. Nowadays, they are often used to secure a locking bar across the post of a hydraulic paddle, or a snap bolt into the mechanism of a manual paddle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted July 30, 2007 Report Share Posted July 30, 2007 Have you tried a corkball, attached to a handcuff key and a BW key, in a bowl bucket of water? You may well find it sinks! Better on a lanyard round your neck! The first suggestion is fine in theory. However I always found the string got in the way of unlocking with the key. The second suggestion could result in one hanging oneself, or getting a bad back. I'm happy with the handcuff key in one of Tony's belt holsters, see: http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php...l=belt+windlass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnEW2912 Posted August 1, 2007 Report Share Posted August 1, 2007 Also known as "Leeds and Liverpool Keys", as that was the first waterway to use them AFAIK. The "handcuff" bit is beacuse the first apparatus that they were used to unlock looked like an onld fashioned handcuff on a length of chain. Nowadays, they are often used to secure a locking bar across the post of a hydraulic paddle, or a snap bolt into the mechanism of a manual paddle They still have the old fashioned handcuff locks to the west of Wigan, despite the Wigan flight itself having upgraded to the snap release and lock design, as I know to my cost when coming in and out of our mooring in Rufford. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Baites Posted August 1, 2007 Report Share Posted August 1, 2007 well a do no t cops av em anall fert convics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRUNT Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Hi, Newbie and ancient thread reviver here. I've just Googled Anti Vandal Handcuff Key and found myelf here hoping you can be of some help. I want to make one of these keys for a Christmas present. Yes I know you can buy them, but not of the quality and design I want to make. The thing is I can't find a picture of one that I can scale for measurements, what I need to know is the across the flats measurement and the diameter of the buisness end and the length it's inserted into the lock. Ta for looking and for any help recieved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltysplash Posted December 10, 2008 Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 Hi, Newbie and ancient thread reviver here. I've just Googled Anti Vandal Handcuff Key and found myelf here hoping you can be of some help. I want to make one of these keys for a Christmas present. Yes I know you can buy them, but not of the quality and design I want to make. The thing is I can't find a picture of one that I can scale for measurements, what I need to know is the across the flats measurement and the diameter of the buisness end and the length it's inserted into the lock. Ta for looking and for any help recieved. Are you a Vandal trying to get insider info on said key dimensions so that you can continue your reign of terror on the sleepy canal folk? Why not buy one yourself and then make your present from its dimensions, probably much easier than trying to work from a photo or writtn down details They are similar in size to the old carriage keys that used to be used on the railways. Sorry. no pic...you naughty vandal you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_fincher Posted December 10, 2008 Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 They are similar in size to the old carriage keys that used to be used on the railways. All the ra\ilway carriage ones I have seen are a male square at the end. An anti-vandal key of course has a female socket.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WJM Posted December 10, 2008 Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 It has taken me half a lifetime to work this out - clearly Fleetwood Mac (in their Buckingham/Nicks incarnation) were living on a narrowboat during the recording of their seminal album 'Rumours' - the clue is not in the music, work it out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinClark Posted December 10, 2008 Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 I want to make one of these keys for a Christmas present. Yes I know you can buy them, but not of the quality and design I want to make. I wouldn't worry too much about quality and design - sooner or later it's going to end up in the bottom of a lock! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltysplash Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 All the ra\ilway carriage ones I have seen are a male square at the end. Ive still got one lying around somewhere, Do they still fit modern carriage doors? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_fincher Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 Ive still got one lying around somewhere, Do they still fit modern carriage doors? Only if you can find trains still with slam doors, I believe. They would gain you access on a preserved railway, but if it's a modern electric train with power operated sliding doors, then don't count on it! I used to have one, (carriage door key), as a replacement door handle for the rear doors of my ex Post Office Telephones Morris Minor van. I thought it a considerable step up on the old dining fork dropped through a hasp and staple that the previous owner had relied on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty Funked Up Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 most of the paddles around birmingham need the key, well actuallly most of the mechanisms dont work so u dont need it really damn vandals Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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