A method of manufacturing a handcuff includes bending a first bar of alloy into a curve roughly matching a shape of a desired cheek plate half, heating the first bar to a forging temperature, die forging the first bar into a first cheek frame forging having a first lockset cavity portion, and trimming the first forging to a form a first forged cheek from half having a first cheek arm. This is repeated with a second bar to obtain a second forged cheek frame half having a second cheek arm. The first cheek frame half is joined directly to the second cheek frame half, the first lockset cavity portion and the second lockset cavity portion combining to form a lockset cavity. A bow is pivotally attached between the first and second cheek arms and a lockset is installed in the lockset cavity.