The Comtech "Fighting Bandanna" Volume Two

In early June we introduced you to James Keating's "Fighting Bandanna" instructional video Volume One. That detailed basic blocking and entangling lines while using the Bandanna as a flexible defense weapon. You can read that review Here.
In Volume Two, Keating demonstrates more unique and interesting methods, including using the Bandanna as an old style rock-launching sling. The Bandanna adds a degree of safety when confronted with a weapon, increases the defenders leverage, and can clearly be used to slap, trap, entangle and choke. As stated in the last review, the lowly Bandanna can be carried anywhere and is a great improvised weapon. All techniques are demonstrated with empty hands as well as with the added leverage of the Bandanna, which makes applications easier to understand.
Here is a short piece of an article by Keating in Fighttimes.com titled "It's just a piece of cloth, a dirty old rag":

"The Bandanna can be a: distraction, a sling, a sap, it can entangle, provide leverage, works well in all ranges and interacts well w/ all environments and authorities. Gee, for a "low-visibility" personal defense item, does it get any better than this? Your experimentation and diligence are critical components in your path to covert self defense mastery."
(snip)
"In the manifestation of this skill one will study different ways to snap, wrap, trap and entangle the opponent. You are taught both high-line and low-line applications.
You are shown how the bandanna is applied against the body's "lever points". The bandanna and your empty hand arts must work as a team.
How can you make the most out of this humble "Cloth"? How else can this simple, yet highly versatile rag be employed into our service? In this case the survival mind must take the lead. So let's have a look at some of the other applications you might consider when becoming a professional "Bandanna Man". The Bandanna is protection."
-------
And indeed, Keating concludes the video series with some no-nonsense examples of using the Bandanna as an emergency survival tool as well as some not-so-obvious first-aid ideas.

For those interested in practical pocket tools that can be improvised into self-defense weapons, the Bandanna should be one of your first choices. It's inconspicuous and has many, many applications. Most importantly, Keating shows how to marry the Bandanna to skills you already possess in empty-hand combat.

For those interested in taking a look at the many instructional video's James Keating has produced, go to this link for Combat Technologies

Here is the link for the review of Volume One

Comtech: "Fighting Bandanna" Volume One

Looking for an improvised weapon that can be carried anywhere? How about one that can help defend against a knife attack, or provide protection from the elements as well as first-aid use?
Well, the fighting Bandanna might be the improvised weapon for you.
In Volume One of the Comtech "Fighting Bandanna", tactical fighting instructor James Keating introduces us to the use of the Bandanna as a flexible weapon. All the principles apply to similar tools such as belts, short rope, piece of garden hose, etc.
Keating's approach is based on the "Panu" scarf techniques seen in Filipino and Indonesian arts, but with a street-smart western approach. His delivery is very clear and Keating moves with the authority of a well-practiced expert.

In "Getting Started", Keating shows us how to knot the Bandanna and use it in a whip-like motion to attack targets such as the eye. This is clearly more effective than it may sound, as he develops further methods involving weighted Bandannas capable of breaking glass bottles. All striking angles are covered.
We are next introduced to using the Bandanna to assist in stopping knife thrusts and the angles necessary to neutralize the attack.
The knife disarms used will look familiar to weapon-stripping techniques used in other arts, and the use of the Bandanna gives us more leverage and a degree of safety, being one step removed from contact with the blade. Wrapping the blade, joint manipulation and other techniques are employed.

In "secondary attacks", Keating goes beyond a simple thrust and deals with alternative weapons (tomahawk or hammer), reverse grip knife attacks, and dealing with a "one-two" weapon-punch attack with the opponent using both hands. This includes arm trapping methods also seen in other arts. Keating makes a clear point of showing many of the techniques empty handed, which helps us see how the Bandanna supplements the technique. All knives used are large "Bowie" style trainers that are very imposing, and the defense emphasis is on non-lethal control techniques.

In "Further development", Keating concludes with useful methods of installing small weighted objects into the Bandanna, intensifying the striking capabilities of the weapon. Using the Bandanna to conceal weapons and other ideas are discussed.

Keating makes it clear that the "Fighting Bandanna" is a concept video. He reminds us that many of the techniques can be applied with a variety of improvised flexible weapons. It's any one's worst nightmare to be confronted by an aggressor with a knife, and we are advised to run away and live to fight another day.
But familiarity with simple improvised weapons such as the Bandanna could save us from an initial attack, giving us that opportunity to escape.
Having a training partner is essential for learning the concepts in this video. I know I will write down a few notes and take them to the Dojo with Bandannas and wooden knives. Practice is essential.

Here is the Contact information for James Keating and Comtech:

Ph: 541-938-3451
Email: comtech@bmi.net
Mailing address:
COMTECH
POB 142
Walla Walla, Wa. 99362

And here is the embedded link for other products at Comtech


Volume Two review here

The "Comtech" Stinger

Last week we introduced James Keating, a tactical fighting instructor that runs "Comtech" and the "MAAJAK" website. That post included video of Keating manipulating a knife from grip-to-grip at one of his training sessions.

Now we take a look at the Comtech "Stinger". As you see above, it's an unusual pocket tool that fits in the hand, with a striking point that protrudes past the fist:

Let me tell you; this thing would hurt, tear muscle and break bones. It's a featherweight in your pocket or hand, but likely indestructible. Even if you don't have knowledge of pressure point or vital point striking, this thing will damage anything it hits. I can imagine it penetrating between ribs or smashing the bones on the back of an opponent's fist.
The Stinger is nondescript, almost resembles a child's toy, is not metallic and is easily concealed. One of the gripping "arms" is curved. This allows the Stinger to point slightly up or down. It also has a hole that a key chain ring can be inserted into if needed.

Here is the contact information for James Keating and Comtech training and products:

Ph: 541-938-3451
Email: comtech@bmi.net
Mailing address:
COMTECH
POB 142
Walla Walla, Wa. 99362

And here is the link for Keatings website "MAAJAK" and his training schedule at "Comtech"

Coming up this week: James Keating's series on "The Fighting Bandanna"