Tie Gun (pronounced “tee a goon”), which translates literally “Iron Stick” refers to the Steel Telescoping Baton. Having studied a number of martial arts weapons over the past for nearly 50 years, I discovered very few were practical for contemporary times.
The bo has a readily available stand-in with a broom, pool stick or similarly shaped object, but none are practical to carry in an urban setting. In the folded position, the nunchaku is inconspicuous, but without an extensive degree of proficiency the forward stick tends to bounce back and hit the user as often as the opponent. The escrima stick is probably the most practical, but carrying a 26-inch long wooden object is simply too obvious.

Unique Features
The Steel Telescoping Baton presents the unique features of being made of metal and less likely to break on impact; folding to a little over nine inches in the closed position, but extending to as long as 26 inches according to which model and length you have selected; and may be used as a defensive weapon in both the closed and open or “armed” positions. It is far less conspicuous than carrying a 26-inch stick or metal pipe, can double as a flashlight with an attachable LED light, which screws onto the butt end of the baton. Because of the practicality of this weapon, I developed tie gun lian shi and integrated the study into the lian shi style to give practitioners an advantage above their empty-hand skills. Tie gun lian shi is taught in three levels, each having a specific focus and relying on the foundations of the previous level. The techniques accompanying this article are taken from each of the three levels.

It should come as no surprise that many law enforcement agencies have replaced their long-standing nightstick, and even the tonfa which initially replaced the nightstick in some jurisdictions, with the Steel Telescoping Baton. However, I recently discovered that the Steel Telescoping Baton was also being used by U.S. Military forces. I have Certificate Courses, which can be ordered online and the Certification Test submitted on tape. The course was ordered by Major Mark Leslie, a martial artist and certified Army Combatives Instructor, who has spent considerable time in Iraq with the U.S. forces and served as an advisor to the Iraqi forces.

Combat Ready
With more than two decades of service in the U.S. Army Infantry, Major Leslie has served as a Long Ranger Surveillance Team Leader, Ranger Instructor and Infantry Commander twice. His combat experience includes Operation Just Cause, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom as a Company Commander and Iraqi Army Advisor. He is a first-degree black belt in tae kwon do; is Level 2 Modern Army Combatives Certified; Certified in USMC L.I.N.E. Combatives; and is currently studying judo and tie gun lian shi. Commenting about the telescoping baton and the tie gun lian shi course he said, “Almost every man in my advisory team in Iraq had one and it was used effectively in various situations from entering vehicles to subduing unruly instigators in hostile crowds. The Army does not believe in fielding a weapon to soldiers without training.

“We had received basic striking training from a local police force in the baton prior to deployment, but I knew something was missing,” Major Leslie explained. “When I came across master Long’s course and started his training regimen, I knew I had found what I was looking for. In the train up for our next deployment, I feel that if we are authorized to use the baton, the training I have
received from master Long once passed on, will make us better prepared.”

As a closing note, some jurisdictions consider it illegal to carry a Steel Telescoping Baton, so it is better to know your local laws before taking it with you. However, if the law is on your side the tie gun can be an efficient self-defense weapon provided you receive proper training. It’s length alone makes it far more practical than any blunt force weapon or handheld cutting instrument currently on the market. And when it comes to After all, if it’s good enough for our soldiers of Baghdad, just think of how effective it can be on Main Street U.S.A.

Technique #1:
Right Overhand Punch
The opponent throws a long overhand right punch. Take a slight step outward with your right foot (1). Raise your tie gun palm upward and begin the “arming” of the stick. The “unarmed” tie gun is the baton in the closed position and the “armed” stick is in the fully extended position. Extend the stick to the armed position while en route to the punching arm. Strike it with a full power stroke just above the wrist (2). Assuming the opponent is not sufficiently injured from the blow to the arm, use the left check hand to grasp the attacking arm above the wrist and chamber the tie gun to the left side of your head (3). Bring the tie gun down at 45 degrees and strike the opponent’s collarbone or carotid plexus at the side of the neck (4). Shift to your right, while re-chambering the tie gun high to your right side for a final counterstrike (5). Turning and shifting back left sharply, bring the tie gun down across the outside of the opponent’s left knee (6).

Technique #2:
Two-Hand Choke
The two-hand choke is acommon street attack (1).
There are two moves occurring simultaneously here. Look briefly at figure 3. Note that your left hand has reached over the opponent’s arms. You will be making your first strike with the
tie gun in the unarmed position and hitting the carotid plexus (2). This area is at mid-point in the side of the neck. From the position of the tie gun at the opponent’s neck, snap the stick
outward to the fully armed position(3). Maintain your grip on his left wrist and continue exerting a downward pressure against his hands. Bring the tie gun above the opponent’s arms, taking
hold of the opposite end with your left hand (4). Bring the tie gun down as hard as possible (5). Bring the tie gun back to your body (6). Step forward and thrust the tie gun into your opponent’s neck (7).

Technique #3:
Horizontal Knife Slash
This is a full-chamber position. The tie gun is armed and up. Get into this position when an attack is already in progress or a weapon is drawn (1). Your opponent is attempting a wide horizontal high slash (2). Take a short step with the right foot away from the path of the knife and execute a high left cross-block. Bring the check hand up to facilitate the next move in the set. Use the check hand to tightly grab and hold the opponent’s wrist while
raising the tie gun over your head for a second strike (3). Maintaining your grip on the knifehand, shift back to the left and bring a horizontal strike across your opponent’s temple (4).
Now bring the opponent’s knifehand down,
and with a horizontal motion execute a second strike to the opponent’s opposite
temple (5).