I don't have any stories of historical use of any of those weapons, but I can respond to the second part of this. Part of my "flexible weapons" training is using textiles. Specifically, I've trained using an obi (belt) for blocking, takedowns, and restraint. In fact, my normal yellow-belt promotion "ceremony" is surprising the student during a demonstration by taking them down with the new yellow belt, wrapping it around their neck (the start of a strangle) and telling them to go change their belt.
Seriously, I've done a bit of training off and on - enough to get an idea of how to use a sturdy strip of flexible material (it works about the same with a leather belt, which I pretty much always have on, except in the gym). My focus is mainly on understanding where it's an advantage over empty hands, and where it's a liability.