Practical Tactical: The Garrote

New garrote offered through III Gear, made in America.

The garrote is a silent killer for the Patriot who needs to take advantage of a sudden opportunity, or has an OSS-style targeted mission that requires stealth and tradecraft.

A few realities about the garrote as a weapon: You will get wet.  Lots of blood, especially if you are using wire - which I personally prefer.  Rope is a strangulation weapon.  Wire is a cutting weapon.  If you have never trained in flexible weapons, find a martial artist or old-school spy with the requisite background and ask for a special course program.

OSS Issue: Preferred T-Handle design

If you succeed in getting close enough to employ the garrote, and you are smart enough to use wire, please use T-handles on the ends.  Some people sell versions with rings for you to pull tight, but you are then having to concentrate all of your force on single points.  Much better to spread your strength along a 3 inch stick/steel rod.

Next - people who suddenly feel a garrote around their neck will whig the F out - especially if they are trained and they know what is coming.  If they are not trained, you'll have to deal with the startle response and panic. If they are trained, they are going to try to get fingers (best case for you) or something steel between the garrote and their neck (worst case for you), and counter-attack violently.  So, get that weapon looped FAST and cinched even FASTER.  Either way, pull that soon-to-be dead Enemy of Liberty away from anything he can kick against for leverage. They may also try to flip you over their head or execute a shoulder throw - be ready for it. Defenses against the garrote attack are limited, and by necessity, extremely vigorous and violent.

Next, assuming you get his neck clean, or even with a few fingers, pull with everything you've got.  Wire will start digging in and cutting meat. But make no mistake - you've got to use strength.

Less optimal ring design

Understand he is going to thrash, kick, reach for a pistol or knife.  Be ready to defeat these attempts.  First move, kick the back of his knee and take him to a manageable height.  If he is still reaching to pull that knife and gut you or pistol to shoot you, be in a position to block that hand with the bottom of your boot.  You won't have to hang on long - but it'll seem like forever the first time you have to do it.  If it is available to you (he's not reaching for a weapon, he's locked on the primal instinct trying to reach the garrote as it cuts) put a knee in his back and arch him backward - not so much that he falls - you want to stay on your feet for defensive reasons. 

If you have done everything right, as I have instructed above, you'll have an unconscious target in a few seconds - 3 to 8, usually.  He'll be dead in under a minute if he bleeds out.  He may have a few fingertips on the ground, because your garrote will cut through them easily.  You will have cut through his windpipe (no screams) and you will have cut through his carotids - hence the bloody mess, but the quick blackout.

If mission parameters call for it, drag him out of sight.  If mission parameters call for it (like you have to blend back into public after this caper) have spare clean clothes you can slip into to avoid the blood.  If mission parameters call for it, dump his seeping corpse in the middle of the street as Fair Warning to other Commies in your AO.

III Gear is now offering a well-built garrote (pictured above) with your choice of ABS or aluminum T-handles and a micro-braided 23" wire.  The III logo is engraved on each end of the T-handles.  A special training program is offered free with every garrote sold.  Of course, it is made in America and comes with a lifetime warranty.

For a limited time the III Percent Society is offering a free garrote to all new and renewing Members who sign-up for a single payment membership.  If it is time to renew your membership, get your garrote free!