I had a specialty iron, can't remember the name, but you couldn't stand it on the heel, you had to put it on it's special rubber mat. Heavy and awkward. Grrr. I now have a Procter Silex and like the Creative Seamstress, I prefer it. I think I've had it three years. It's light and turns off automaticly. It also heats up fast and I paid less than $15 at KMart for it.