Nancy's Notions carries finger covers to protect your fingers from a hot iron.

These strip sticks are excellent. I have had mine for 3 years. I use them every day. I iron all my seems open because it is easier for my Tiara to quilt. They are worth every penny. Emily

I use a manicurist's orange wood stick.

There is a very small iron just for this, sells at Jo anns, It has a small triangle heat tip and I only use it if I have to iron the seams open

I bought a wooden seam roller at a quilt show that helps. It's a good way to get the seams open and flat and then you can apply heat to it after, if needed.

It's similar to this:

http://spiromandalas.wordpress.com/using-a-seam-roller/

A short length of wooden molding works well--mine is about 24" long and was around $2 at Home Depot, as it sells by the foot and they'll cut the length you want. Picture a half round dowel (which was not available) on top of a quarter inch thick flat piece that extends about 1/4" wider than the half round, but of course it's all one piece. I figured I could cover it if necessary, but tried just the bare wood and it worked perfectly. No steam needed at this point: Just lay the seam along the stick, open the end with a finger or whatever, and run the iron down it. The seam falls open as you go. After that's done I usually press the whole block with steam. I no longer cringe at the need for opened seams! (My added bonus is my stick is just long enough to use as an extension of my finger when I want to reach over and turn my fan on or off and don't want to get up.)

You can use a wooden dowel in the same way as a strip stick or make one of your own by stuffing a tube of cloth. I use a dowel all the time .

i was going to use lumber molding too,instead i found some heavy fabric that was left over from making a cover for my ironing board . then i cut a strip about 2 inches wide by how long i needed them after i cut my sizes then i sewed each pouch or bag on both sides leaving only one end open then filled each pouch or bag very tightly with crushed walnuts shell. the same walnuts shell used for pincushions .then just hand stitch end closed ,it works very good

Why am I fixated on that jumping elephant?!

What's the strip stick stuffed with?