The Silly Stix are back!
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I want to announce that my Silly Stix are finally back in stock and ready to ship. For those that don't know about them, they are 9" long rods made of .125" type 5 titanium, designed to act as supports for my Zia grills. They come as a set of six, weighing 2.2 oz. or 63 grams. They may also be used as tent stakes, as well as numerous other functions. They are unique as tent stakes because of the extra length. I chose to have rounded tips, so as to not poke holes in anything. Lawson has shown that pointy stakes are overrated. They can also be employed as a stand alone pot support. The photos below show how they are used. The first one shows the Stix in grill support mode. Note the 2 at the ends, which serve to hold the grill in place so that it doesn't lift off when turning a steak. For merely boiling water in a pot, these end pieces aren't needed.
This photo shows how to use 6 Stix to make a simple pot support:
For those that aren't familiar with the Zia grill, it's perhaps the planet's lightest functional backpacking grill. Measuring approximately 4.5" x 11" and weighing 0.9 ounces, it will support over a pound of steak or 2 cups of water in a pot. More weight can be supported, but I don't find it necessary very often. Here are a couple of photos of one in use:
And with two 8 oz. filets:
Two of the grills can be used to sandwich some fish or meat, so that you don't have to fight to flip it. The two grills are connected securely by titanium rods. Here's a photo of a double grill with connectors in place:
Here is BPL's description of the Zia grill when they sold them in the gear shop:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/zia_fabrications_titanium_grill.html
The pricing for these products is as follows:
One set of 6 Stix $30
One set of 4 Stix $23
1 Grill $50
1 Grill + 6 Stix (package deal) $75
Double grill with connectors $95
Double grill, connectors, and 6 Stix $120The prices include PayPal fees and postage for US addresses. Add $5 extra for Canadian addresses. For our friends overseas, please add $10.
If you are interested in these products, please contact me at drzooz(at)aol(dot)com.
(Edited to add photo)
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.
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!
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