Yes, I did the series on the V-gar at the old JSP Forum, a labor of love...I wonder if you can still access it? Maybe you can go over there and use the search function under my name, maybe it is within the bowels of cybespace.
The Cable of the V-Gar can kink if you are not careful loading it or if you abuse it. There is a specific methodology to loading it in the various pouches and the V-belt, and these instructions are included with the purchase of the system and they work too. James ALWAYS does his homework and passes that knowledge on to you...
If you do kink the cable, James will re-cable your ManrikiGarrote for a fee, and no, it is not astronomical either.
If you wear the finish off ANY of the Anodized Titanium Products, again, James will re-Anodize for a charge that is fair.
The Keating/Comtech Fighting Bandana Videos are expensive and well worth it.
Vladimir Vasiliev has a video out titled, "Improvised Weapons." In this video, there are many different common objects used defensively. Among some are flexible items, like a jacket and a belt. And this stuff is a must have for the V-Gar Afficiando as well.
Books are a little harder to understand, but if you have some background in an art, you can decipher them if you are dilligent and serious. The two books that come to mind are the aforementioned book by Charles Gruzanski, I have an older version of this book simply called, "Spike & Chain." It was renamed to cash in on the Ninja Craze...this book outlines a Japanese Ryu more normally associated with the Samurai than the Ninja...I don't want to confuse you.
Another book is the now out-of-print "Flexible Weapons" by John Sanchez. This was a Paladin Press book.
Ideally, you would want to befriend someone in the Bujinkan or Jinenkan that enjoys the Kusari-Fundo/Manrikigusari. You will get a lot out of this.
Mystic Arts of The Ninja by Stephen K. Hayes, Contemporary Books, has a wonderful little section on long-range striking with a weighted flexible weapon.
All of these sources of information will do you no good if you do not literally break every movement down and take it slowly with a real, live, moving...human training partner. Be very careful, please.
Please realize that you can learn from a video if you have a background in some art, some concept of how bodies move combatively, books are a lot harder as the movement appears to be stilted and static and that is the nature of books.
Dilligent practice, Mastery can be attained. In the final analysis, it is always YOU that makes a martial art effective, and in ALL martial arts, you have to home study. Find a school near you, and if that is simply not possible, buy the best educational information you can find and the best equipment, and study it like your life depends on it...because it does if you are carrying these things!
I use the Pocket Meteor in the Bandando, it is incredibly effective.
The Koppo Stick is my favorite pocket stick, it has many faces...you can use it like a Kubotan, an "Iron War Fan," or Tessen, any short stick techniques or palm stick techniques in the Fillipino Martial Arts will make it fly.
Obviously, the Ban Bog and Wang-Bo's are effective. If they are pointed, all the more. It is a thrusting weapon as well.
As was stated, you can link two (2) Ban Bogs together and form a Nunchaku...you can also do the following...
You can link a Ban Bog to a Pocket Meteor like a long and short Nunchaku.
Using the Finger Loop on the Koppo Stick, you can loop the Lanyard from a Ban Bog Stick or a Pocket Meteor and have a weapon that has the grip-security and feel of a push dagger, with all of the striking abilities that are inherent in the design of the Koppo Stick held in the hand, as well as a long range striking capability with a grip YOU WILL NOT LOSE.
Did I answer everything? Whew...keep firing them off guys. I like this.
[This message has been edited by Don Rearic (edited 16 August 1999).]
