I'm planning to do a handcuff escape for a crowd with several magicians present. I'm wondering if it would be better to cover my hands with a cloth. I could also pick my way out using a paper clip in open view. The cuffs will be placed on a volunteer beforehand to prove that they are real. Which way do you think would be better?

Houdini had a "tent" onstage, for some of his handcuff escapes! (THAT was THEN!!!)

When I did an escape tour in '95, to salvage a tour that our escape artist, had canceled, I could just turn my back to the audience. It was VERY EFFECTIVE.

Thanks for the advice. I'm just worried if I do it out of sight, they'll assume I have a key. On the other hand, if I turn my back, they could still see me fiddling with the locks. The premise is that I pick my way out using the paper clip. Turning my back is definitely a better option than covering with a cloth. I just might do that.

I did it foe about six weeks, and, had no problems. I didn't do a 'CHALLENGE ACT'. I talked about Houdini, and described his handcuff act. I also used a Hamburg 8 set of cuffs, and a modern thumb cuff (swing thru). I used Abbott's strait jacket for a 'big finish'. You used a paper clip? I just had a shim.

I only turned my back for about 5 seconds! It was the "speed" that sold the bit!

The escape went well. I placed the cuffs on two kids and had them test them out. One little girl was sure she could get out, but gave up after about three minutes of struggling. I let them out with the key, then they put them on me. It took me about thirty seconds and they popped open. The clip was just for show. They bought it hook, line and sinker.

As Lawrence Welk usta say; WUNNERFULWUNNERFUL!!!

I was just teasing! (I figured that that was what you used the clip for!)

Now youse kin start a new career! (Wanna buy my Hanburg Eights??? (They're "jumpers"! --don't even need a shim! I also have a set of Austrian Thumb Cuffs, They can be "in and outers", or as a thumb tie. Milbourne Christopher used Austrians on the TODAY SHOW, for thumb tie, about 50 years ago!