The Silly Stix are back!

Karen, I mailed your Stix today. Hopefully you'll receive them in time for your trip.

Duane, your Stix were mailed yesterday.

So I've had the new batch of Silly Stix available for 3 weeks now, and nobody seems to care. Maybe people are just being silly. But if that's the case, they really should pick up a 6-pack of Silly Stix to complete the persona. But if you don't have any Silly Stix, then you are just…um… well, silly. However, it's OK to be silly. Just look at this silly post.

Here's a partial list of the multiple uses for these Stix:

1) Grill (4 supports, 2 parallel rods)
2) Pot support over fire, for a pot with bail (2 stakes, 1 cross piece)
3) Supports for a windscreen
4) Three Stix arranged in a triangle will function well as a sturdy pot support
5) Complete grill (need 9 for steak, 6 for simple pot support—see #1)
6) Splint for broken bone (need 2-3, plus some duct tape)
7) Hang flashlight/lantern from a tree (tap it into a knot hole)
8) Hang candle lantern inside your igloo or quinzee
9) Spare tent stake
10)Dry your socks by the fire
11)Roast a grouse over a fire (need 2 to skewer the bird, and 4 support rods)
12)Roast weenies or kabobs, satay
13)Hang car keys in vestibule
14)Route marker (attach high-visibility tape, or a bandana)
15)Ruler—score one inch (or centimeter) increments in rod
16)Toilet paper (need 3—two supports and one for the toilet paper roll)
17)Hang cup or spoon to dry
18)Short fire poker stick (perfect for use with the QiWiz.net FireFly wood stove)
19)Defense weapon (need a very sharp tip), and you must be very quick
20)Semaphore rods (need 2 squares cut from a red bandana)
21)Pointer for map discussions
22)Assist in positioning a bear-bag rope (attach to long stick with duct tape)
23)Camp Jart game (attach pine cones with duct tape for balance)
24)World championship wilderness limbo rod supports (squirrels, bugs, and snakes
usually win)
25)Convenient rod to whap your hiking partner when he does something silly (hence
the name)

This photo shows the comparison of a Stix to other common tent stakes. The stakes and ruler aren't really bent, the camera had a sort of fish-eye moment. It also wasn't very good at recording true color, but you get the idea.

So, be silly, and match it up with a set of Silly Stix. You'll be the envy of hikers everywhere.

James, I mailed your 6-pack of Stix yesterday.

They're on the way. It should just take a couple of days to reach Grand Junction, Pete.

Hi all–I wanted to announce that I am having a sale on my Zia products during the month of May. 10% off everything.

So the prices will be:

Full size grill–$45 (normally $50)
Mini grill custom made for the QiWiz.net Firefly stove–$27 (vs. $30)
Double grill with connectors–$85 (vs. $95)
Double Grill with connectors + 6 Stix–$108 (vs. $120)
6 Stix–$27 (vs. $30)
4 Stix–$20 (vs. $23)

The above prices include shipping to US addresses. Due to increased international postage, I need to ask the Canadians to add $5 US to the order. Other international addresses, please add $10 US to your order.

If anyone is interested in the carbon felt and titanium foil kit to convert a Fancy Feast cat food can into a sweet alcohol stove, I will sell these for $10 if you order something else. I can put it in the envelope and not incur additional postage. This kit includes a piece of carbon felt, titanium foil to act as a pot stand, and also a 2.75" titanium foil base plate disk. See this photo for details…

The components (the titanium base plate isn't shown):

Assembled stove:

If you would like to order something, please contact me at this e-mail address:
drzooz (at) aol (dot) com.

The prices are good through May 31. This offer isn't valid when purchasing on the QiWiz.net web site, only by contacting me directly. Let's call it a BPL special!

I just wanted to do an "Ides of May" bump to remind everyone that I am discounting all my Zia products through the end of this month. See my post above for prices. After May 31, the prices return to normal. I will be out of touch during July and August. So if you are thinking about a grill, some Stix, etc. get them now while they're cheap.

Time's running out for the May discount on the Zia products I make/sell. I'll be out of touch after mid-June, so you'll need to order before that, or wait until September. You can save 10% off everything through May 31.

Rocco and Arn, I mailed your kits this afternoon. Look for them by the end of the week.

Does anyone else want to save a few bucks on my Zia grill products before the prices go back to normal (the sale ends May 31)? See the above post for pricing.

Thanks to all who have taken advantage of the sale.

I think we picked up the thread and dropped it again. I will take a micro/mini Zia, whatever fits a 850 kettle best, especially if used over a Tri Ti Caldera Cone. Send me a PM or email. Thanks.

Brian, I sent you an e-mail about your grill.

I received my Silly Stix today.

I really like the design and flexibility.

I will primarily use them as shelter stakes. The extra length gives better holding power than typical 6" shepherd stakes. Especially important with ridge lines on tarps.

The head pattern adds to the flexibility. The extra hook on the head makes for a more solid anchor when combined with found objects in loose soil.

The extra length means it should be more solid when laid horizontally, line attached to the center, with rocks stacked on top.
This is something you have to do in cases of strong winds combined with a bad site surface.

The other flexibility aspects makes for a great multi-use item.
I suspect I will be using them as pot stands from time to time.

Thanks for confirming receipt of your Stix, Steve, and for providing some feedback. You are right about the extra length coming in handy. I've not been a fan of the 6" Vargo ti stakes, as they seem to not hold well for me in loose soil. The longer Stix do.

But there are all sorts of uses for a stake this long. I use one as a fire poker for my wood stoves, to pin down my cone when I lift the pot off, and to dry my coffee mug after washing it. I also have used two Stix to reinforce my Zia grill along the sides (I keep 4 split rings attached to the corners of the grill, and slide the Stix through them). I expect you will find all sorts of other uses for them.

Just a heads up to remind everyone that my May BPL sale ends tomorrow night. So if you're on the fence about scoring a grill, mini grill, or some Stix, you need to make your move. After June 15, I'll be out of touch for a couple of months, so now's the time to buy.

Heads up–my Zia sale (10% off) ends tonight at midnight. Tomorrow the prices go back to normal.

I received my grill and stix yesterday. Great stuff! Thanks for sending them out so quick and for the stix holder! Really liking the options with the stix, I see these getting a lot of use beyond supporting my grill. I plan on giving everything a test run on a fishing trip in a few weeks.

Thanks for your feedback, Arn. Let the grilling and multi-use Stix begin!

Hi all, I want to let people know that I'll be unable to fill any orders for my Zia products after June 20. I'm going to be doing some extensive trail time, and I might not get back home until Sept 1. I'll post here when I return. So if you need a grill or some Stix, or anything else, please do it soon. Thanks to everyone for your recent purchases!

Just a final reminder–I won't be able to fill any orders after this Friday (June 21). So if you are thinking about buying a grill, or some Stix, now is the time. I'll be back from my wandering around Sept. 1.

Final reminder–today is the last day for ordering Zia grills and Stix. I'll be back from my road trip around Sept. 1, but I won't be able to fill any orders after today.

Hi Gary,

Just sent an order..hope you can ship before you take a break….cheers!

Garth, I received your order and payment, and I will send your kit today. This is my first Singapore order! Thanks for your support.

Gary,

enjoy your rambling around

Thanks, Eddy. Rambling around being bear bait in Yellowstone for a few weeks should be a hoot. I just hope the wildlife cooperate politely, and that there are no fire bans like last year. Then, hopefully, I'll have enough reserve energy to try to scheme some stuff in Glacier. If nothing else, I'll hang out with family on Flathead Lake, and maybe cruise up to Banff/Jasper for some quality mountain time. It's all good.