A reusable security tag has an enclosure containing an element detectable by independent means and a cruciate sheet metal clutch lock. A pin for piercing a garment is secured at the end of a lever arm which is hinged to said enclosure for controlled movement into said clutch lock. Said pin is released from said clutch lock by application of a special tool to said enclosure for deforming said clutch lock to spread its jaws. Elliptical grooves around the shank of said pin increase the retentivity of said clutch lock without decreasing unnecessarily the tensile strength of said shank.
