My friend Christie was complaining about one of her poi not staying lit anymore. She showed it to me, telling me that it felt squishy (a concept I couldn't understand until I felt it myself). Remembering Kathleen's experience, I asked Christie if she ordered them from Bearclaw. Yes, she had. It seems that whatever stuffing material the wick had been filled with had burned away, leaving a wick shell that couldn't absorb and hold any fuel.
It looks to me like Bearclaw does not make quality wicks.
Wicks should last for more than a few months, in fact, I've had one set that is still going after more than 2 years. I suggest ordering from another company or make your own.
written on November 18, 2003; modified on November 19, 2003.