Monday, May 18, 2009

Pressing Matters: Vintage Irons



Since it's garage sale season, I thought I'd pass along a tip for a very useful item that I actually watch for while I'm out having a blast on Thursday mornings. I'll tell you why you'll like these old irons that can normally be found for $1-$2.

They're heavy, and no matter what, those lightweight irons just don't cut it for me!

They're durable.

and best of all....

They were made in the USA!

Yes....back in the dark ages, we once manufactured our OWN products! (Imagine that!)

Now, to be sure, there are some high-end, high-priced, fancy schmancy irons out there that beep, turn themselves off and will be pleasant, trendy colors, and rate far higher on the fashionista scale, and they're lightweight.

BUT WHO WANTS A LIGHTWEIGHT? Not me!

But you cannot beat these old beauties in their seventies colors of harvest gold and olive green: do I care? Nope, because they GET THE JOB DONE. (My sister was here not long ago and needed to iron an article of clothing for her daughter. She liked this old iron and the job it did so much that she went and got her clothes she had already ironed at home, and did the pressing job over again...because her Rowenta didn't do nearly the same job at pressing out those wrinkles as this old girl!)

I have this one that I'm using now, and for $1 and over a year's use, I'd say she was a bargain. She has a bunkmate in reserve...her bunkmate cost $2. She's ready to step in when I've worn this one out. It'll be interesting, won't it, to see how long that takes?

(If you are unable to shop garage sales, BLACK &DECKER still makes an old-fashioned, heavy steam iron for people like me that like the heavyweights and it's called the BLACK & DECKER CLASSIC (F63D). It can still be found at places like our small-town, old-fashioned hardware store, or Amazon.com and it retails for around $35.)

9 comments:

Sue said...

Oh I so agree about irons! I have a Rowenta, thinking if I spent the bucks I would like it- it is too darn light. I will now be on the lookout for irons at yard sales and if not I will go and look for that classic you mentioned. Thanks!

Unknown said...

Oh I hear you! I have two old travel irons I bought very reasonably at antique shops. I think I've given no more than $5 each. They are wonderful for my quilting projects. They are not heavy, just hot and I mean really hot. I also have a Rowenta, and it is so over-rated. I'm always on the lookout for another because my daughter wants one for her family.

Carol Murdock said...

Good info: I like heavy irons too as I am left handed so ironing is difficult enough. I've tried a LH iron but they don't make much difference.
~ Carol ~

Feedsack Fantasy said...

Whats an iron ... chuckle!!!
TTFN ~ Marydon

Unknown said...

That Black & Decker looks like the iron I grew up with--and it weighed a ton!

Thistle Cove Farm said...

I think this is the same iron as one I've got and I use my mother-in-law's iron that doesn't have anything other than cool, warm, hot settings. Not fancy at all but you could stun a cow with that thing!
Great post, thanks.

Donna said...

I'm with You! I hate my iron! NOW I know Why!! It's too LIGHT weight!! Thanks sweetie!!hughugs

Gena said...

I, too, LOVE the old irons. When mine finally gave up the ghost, I have had to replace it with at least 4 other ones. I decided not to buy anything expensive because they never last. I just throw them out when they quit. I think I'll start searching the yard sales for some goodies! Great tip.

Brenda Pruitt said...

Well, that's a winner! These newer irons are horrid!
Brenda