l like the pins with colored heads in the medium length. l find the long ones bent easily, and l like the heads because l can chose a color that shows up ( so l can easily find to remove)...also easier to pick up off my magnetic holder than small metal headed ones. As to the iron...l find most the same ( except those little Clover craft irons)... seamstress aid of a rolled towel under the seam is an old trick...works with any iron.