A handy tip for removing zip ties from anything

[Qutzupalotl]

Link to tweet

[GemDigger]

1. Good to know but rather than break the bobby pin just pull the rubber off the end.

[Qutzupalotl]

3. I think the small curve caused by bending might be helpful,

although I have not tried this yet.

[Nevilledog]

2. Good to know.

Still would be hard to remove the zip tie on "your bread, bags of apples, Doritos and other everyday things that one might need to remove zip ties from" if they're behind your back.

[Midnightwalk]

5. Practicing doing it behind your back could be real handy. nt

[Qutzupalotl]

7. Maybe something to practice and keep in your back pocket. n/t

[Phoenix61]

4. That's pretty cool. nt

[Glorfindel]

6. I just use scissors. Much faster than that bent hairpin.

But thanks for solving a problem I didn't know existed!

[PTWB]

23. I suspect the authorities would confiscate scissors... a Bobby pin is easier to conceal

[mr_lebowski]

8. Why would anyone even use zip ties on bags of bread, doritos, etc?

What am I missing?

The best tool for clipping zip ties is what are commonly known as 'wire cutters'.

[Mike 03]

9. Maybe this is encoded advice for protesters?

[mr_lebowski]

10. Ahhhh ... and bobby pins being famous for use in picking locks, such as the ones on handcuffs ...

I think I follow now ... thanks

[cwydro]

11. That's what I thought lol!

Good advice. But I can't remember the last time I had a bobby pin in my possession.

[greenjar_01]

15. It's almost as if the population being addressed

isn't a bunch of older white guys.



(I'll grant that older white guys are probably the population group least likely to have bobby pins in their possession at any random time).

[ornotna]

16. They're ok

But have a tendency to break being just stamped from flat stock. Forged is the way to go, much more durable.

https://whizzotech.com/collections/pliers/products/whizzotech-wire-cutter-diagonal-cutting-pliers-micro-flush-cut-side-cutters-5-inch

I have a pair of these and they're great.

[mr_lebowski]

18. I wasn't recommending a particular model, just illustrating the type of tool :)

The one's I have are indeed forged as well ...

[Hekate]

22. I wonder if an old fashioned hat pin would slide in and do the job. Of course I don't carry hat pins

...either. Still this is handy to know!

[TeamPooka]

17. remind me not to talk about secret plans with you anymore.

[mr_lebowski]

19. Well, at least you won't have to worry about me spilling the beans ...

Since I never even caught on to the real plan in the first place

[TeamPooka]

20. No, you're the guy who goes "Do we still have a sceret meeting tonight?" loudly in the cafe :)

[matt819]

12. Bread, apples, etc. are not packaged with zip ties

Maybe the video was a tongue in cheek recommendation for how to remove zip tie handcuffs. I always had the impression that zip ties used for handcuffs are different from the ones for consumer use, iow not so easy to remove.

As for everyday removal of zip ties? Scissors.

[greenjar_01]

13. Some folks on this board never been tear gassed and it shows

"Apple bags? Well why would you?"

[SideStep]

14. Horrible knowledge to have for what seem to be it's clear purpose.

As described: Scissors are clearly a better method.

As really intended: It could easily lead to death.

[Goodheart]

21. I just use scissors.

[ProfessorGAC]

25. Panduit Used To Make...

...zip ties with a little tab on the buckle.
Push the tab with your thumb & slips right out.
Used them in some labs to secure bundles of metal tubing used for gas delivery to many lab instruments.
Maybe they still make them. It's been 25+ years since I worked daily in the lab.
On Edit: you can do this with an opened up paper clip, too.

[FakeNoose]

26. Hey guys - zip ties are sometimes used by cops instead of handcuffs

I think that's the point of this post, it's helpful info in case someone gets arrested.

IDK I could be wrong.

[eppur_se_muova]

27. I use the tip of a 0.5 mm mechanical pencil.

Push on the 'tail' from one side and slide the pencil tip in the other, so that it depresses the little ratchet 'tongue', then push the pencil and tail toward each other.

Handy when dealing w/computer cable ties and the like, especially if you always carry a 0.5mm pencil in your shirt pocket anyway {WARNING: Entering high gnurdon flux area!}. Those tips are apparently pretty stiff steel, and I've used them as tools for a variety of purposes, only ever bending one once.