Which iron sole is better for many housewives. The main selection parameters include the model, the material from which the sole is made and the presence of additional functions. As for the form, everything is more or less simple here. The hostess should start from the fact that she irons most often. If these are women's dresses with frills or shirts, then the choice should be stopped on an iron with a sharp nose. For ironing bed linen or tablecloths, the blunt, rounded nose and wide sole are ideal. What is that, in another case, preference should be given to the sole of a larger area. This is due to saving not only time, but also electricity.

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Main selection criterion

The main point when choosing an iron is the soleplate. This is the main part responsible for efficient and high-quality ironing. Modern functions in the form of touch control and self-cleaning will be useless if the surface of the sole does not glide well on the fabric.

Properly selected type of sole will provide comfortable use, the desired result and durability of this technique.

The main criterion we have indicated must meet certain requirements. These include:

• Perfect glide over matter.
• Durability and strength.
• The heating of the base must be uniform.
• Careful contact with the fabric.

So, which sole is considered the best, let's try to find out by considering the materials from which the bases of irons are made.

aluminum surface

The older generation may remember the cast-iron irons that our grandmothers heated over an open fire. It took a lot of time and effort to warm up. There was a need to find another, easier to use material. Aluminum is used in production. The aluminum surface quickly heats up and cools down, and this is undoubtedly its plus. However, as they say, there is a downside. Such a surface is quite easy to spoil due to the softness of this metal. Aluminum is easily scratched by a button or zipper. This will reduce the performance of the device.

The disadvantages of this metal can also be attributed to the fact that an iron with such a base heats up rather quickly and if you do not set the desired mode for a certain type of fabric, there is a chance of burning the fabric. But science does not stand still, and manufacturers use anodized aluminum that can prevent sticking. However, the additional coatings and coatings used do not make the base stronger. No less popular is the coating made of an alloy of aluminum and stainless steel. Thus, the sole combines both rapid heating, and lightness, and durability. Irons with such a coating have been produced for a long time and are popular due to their positive properties and low cost.

Stainless steel

No less popular today are irons with a base made of stainless steel. This metal is characterized by good thermal conductivity.

Among the advantages are easy glide, perfect smoothing of products, durability and resistance to corrosion, as well as low cost. The disadvantages include the weight of such an iron.

Stainless steel does its job well, and yet manufacturers strive to improve their products by developing all kinds of coatings and coatings. Many brands of steel base are additionally coated with chromium, thereby preventing corrosion and extending the service life.

One of the well-known companies has developed its own innovation in the form of a steel sole with sapphire powder applied to the base. This hard natural material can guarantee durability and excellent sliding characteristics to the owner of such an iron. Naturally, such models of irons will cost a little more than their "brothers".

The stainless steel iron soleplate is the hottest commodity today. This is due to reasonable prices and features.

Ceramic sole

To figure out which iron sole is better, it is worth talking about irons with ceramic soles. Irons with a ceramic surface are in great demand due to their inexpensive cost and smooth, ideal glide over the fabric. However, consumers talk about the main drawback of ceramics - its fragility. Such an iron requires careful care, since even a slight damage leads to flaking of the coating. After some time, carbon deposits may appear on this enamel, which is quite difficult to get rid of.

Cermet in some characteristics, in particular, wear resistance, is similar to stainless steel.

Many renowned companies strive for excellence in manufacturing and develop their proprietary composite materials, which are characterized by light weight, uniform heating, ease of sliding and resistance to damage.

Teflon, composite and titanium outsole

Among the popular models, irons with Teflon, composite and titanium soles should also be noted:

• Teflon provides ease in the course of an ironing and ideality in sliding. However, this material is similar to aluminum, it is easy to damage it with metal fittings or buttons. However, the Teflon sole is non-stick and if it gets dirty, it can be easily cleaned.
• Composite coating is stronger than aluminum and ceramics. It can easily withstand the test of buttons and other accessories.
• The titanium base is not particularly common among consumers due to the high cost. Titanium has a low thermal conductivity, but it glides over matter with ease. The titanium sole is strong enough and is “not afraid” of shocks and extraneous influences.

If you cannot opt ​​for a particular model, be guided by your financial capabilities. You can also purchase an iron with several interchangeable soleplates designed for different types of fabric.

Features of the base shape

When choosing, you should pay attention not only to the coating of the base, but also to the shape. The large footprint makes it easy to operate the instrument. Good if:

• The back of the sole is rounded (when moving backwards, the fabric will not wrinkle).
• The nose is sharp (folds and ruffles will be smoothed out well).
• There is a groove for buttons. Modern models are equipped with a thin edge of the sole for ease of ironing in the button area.
• There are at least 50 holes on the base. This is necessary for the best effective steaming of clothes.

So, we can say that there is no ideal surface of the iron, as well as a very bad one.

Any model will have advantages and disadvantages - the main thing is that a particular model meets your needs. If you do not want to spend a lot of money and iron infrequently, then a Teflon or aluminum sole will suit you. And if you are looking to purchase high-quality products with good performance, you should opt for ceramic-metal and stainless steel.

Do you like to look impeccable in perfectly ironed clothes, but your iron often does not cope with the task? Perhaps the shape and material of its soles do not correspond to modern parameters, so the ironing result leaves much to be desired.

How to navigate a large selection of household appliances and figure out which iron sole is better, we will tell in this article.

In order to choose a quality iron, you must consider the following parameters:

• Instrument model;
• The shape of the sole and nose;
• Special features;
• Sole material.

Depending on these criteria, the price and capabilities of this household appliance are formed.

The choice of model and additional functions is not fundamentally important, since the quality of ironing depends on the shape and coating of the iron. So, touch control will not help to improve the quality of ironing if the sole does not glide well over the thing.

Video: how to choose an iron?

Form Features

When choosing the shape of the sole, consider what things you have to iron most often.

If there are small children in the house or your husband prefers to wear shirts, and you are cute little things that consist of many ruffles and folds, the soleplate of the iron should be elongated and the nose pointed.

If you mainly iron household items: bedding, kitchen utensils or curtains, then it is better to give preference to a wide sole that ends with a blunt nose.

Important requirements

Since the soleplate of the iron is an important element of the appliance responsible for the quality of ironing, it must meet the following requirements:

• Reliability and resistance to damage;
• Good glide on fabric;
• Accurate and careful contact with the material without any interference;
• Minimum friction;
• Uniform heating and cooling.

Choosing the right high-quality sole, you will not only improve the quality of ironing, but significantly extend the life of an indispensable home helper.

In order to find out which sole is considered the best, it is necessary to consider the features of the materials from which it is made.

Modern manufacturers produce more than twenty types of iron coatings.

We list the main materials used to make the sole:

• Ceramics;
• Aluminum;
• Teflon;
• Titanium.

The most popular materials are ceramics and stainless steel, but they are rarely used in their pure form, adding other coatings and coatings to the composition.

To figure out which coverage is better, you need to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.

aluminum coating

The first alternative, after heavy cast-iron irons that required a lot of physical effort when ironing, was aluminum soleplates.

They have a number of undoubted advantages:

• Very light;
• Have excellent thermal conductivity;
• Heat up and cool down quickly
• Maneuverable and easy to use;
• They have a democratic price.

Along with these positive qualities, aluminum has a number of disadvantages:

• Scratches quickly appear on the surface;
• It is subject to deformation;
• After ironing, the shine remains on the clothes.

Moreover, the rapid heating of an iron with this coating can go from a positive characteristic to a negative one, since there is a high probability of burning through the fabric if a certain mode is not set.

It is interesting

On sale you can find aluminum soles that are coated with ceramics or other materials to improve performance. Thus, manufacturers practically eliminate the disadvantages of aluminum.

Recently, ceramic coatings of irons are gaining more and more popularity. This can be easily explained, because this material has the following advantages:

• Aesthetic appearance;
• Excellent glide;
• Uniform heating;
• Fast cleaning.

However, ceramics have one significant drawback: fragility. The material is very fragile, so the slightest defects in the form of chips or scratches will make ironing difficult.

Video: which iron is the best?

It is interesting

There are no soleplates of irons that are made of only ceramics. They will necessarily contain steel, aluminum or their alloy.

Stainless steel is not inferior in popularity to ceramics. Among its obvious advantages are the following:

• Strength and wear resistance;
• Resistance to damage and corrosion;
• Fast and even heating;
• Excellent gliding qualities on the fabric;
• Low cost.

The only, but significant drawback of such an iron is a lot of weight.

Despite the excellent characteristics of this coating, manufacturers are trying to make it even better. So, models are popular in which chrome or sapphire is applied to the base, which helps protect the sole from corrosion and prolongs the life of the iron. Naturally, the cost of such equipment will be higher than that of conventional stainless steel irons.

Considering that ceramic or stainless steel irons are the most popular among consumers, many buyers do not know which material is better to choose. In this case, you need to take into account the volume of ironing. If you iron often and a lot, it is better to choose a more practical stainless steel option.

Choosing an iron with a Teflon coating, you will ensure the convenience of ironing and excellent glide over the material. However, get ready to worry about the scratches that will inevitably appear on the sole. In addition, it will not be easy to clean, with the exception of non-stick irons.

Titanium is one of the elite materials. Irons, the soles of which are covered with it, will serve you for a very long time, because they are not afraid of corrosion and are resistant to deformation. However, such household assistants will require a large amount of electricity due to low thermal conductivity. In addition, they are quite expensive, as are the means for processing and cleaning the sole.

If you still find it difficult to decide which coating to choose an iron, it is better to give preference to a model that has several interchangeable soles. They can be used with different types of fabrics.

Other features

Many customer reviews indicate that stainless steel and ceramic coatings are the most popular today.

However, regardless of the coating, a good modern iron should have the following characteristics:

• The sole should have a small indentation that will help smooth out the material under the buttons;
• A quality device should contain at least 50 holes on its sole, regardless of their size. And they are small (they create an air cushion, but are difficult to clean) or large (they allow you to iron complex fabrics);
• The rounded back of the device will not allow fabrics to break during translational movements.

As a conclusion

Based on the foregoing, it is clear that it is impossible to give an unambiguous answer which iron soleplate is better. Each material has both advantages and disadvantages.

When choosing, you need to be guided by your preferences and financial capabilities, as well as the advice that we gave in this article.

Customer opinion

Lena.

My mother-in-law bought a Teflon-coated iron. She paid a lot of money and is shaking over him, afraid of every scratch. I don’t understand why you need to buy such an expensive thing, then to be afraid to pick it up once again.

Dasha.

And I like my iron. Teflon is perfect!

A guest.

Lera.

I have been using my iron for 5 years and have never regretted it. True, there are already a couple of scratches. If I decide to buy a new one, I will also buy ceramics.

Arina.

Why spend a lot of money on an iron? I'm quite happy with aluminum. Works out and I'll buy a new one.

Inga.

They gave me an iron with an aluminum soleplate. Horror! Constantly burns, and when you put it, the water pours out.

Vadim.

Stainless steel is what you need! 7 years - the iron is like new!

Katia.

Tried several options. I settled on stainless steel. The iron is convenient and practical.

Video: what is the best inexpensive iron model?

When buying an iron, pay attention to the soleplate. She comes into contact with clothing and protects it. We will figure out which iron soleplate is considered the best and will last longer.

If the work surface is of poor quality, the rest of the functions lose their meaning. The bottom must be strong and resistant to mechanical stress.

A number of basic requirements for the working surface:

1. Glides easily. Friction with the fabric should be minimal. Effortless movement through the material.
2. Caring attitude. Delicate smoothing of wrinkles on clothes, without overheating it and without leaving creases or hooks.
3. Smooth heating. The working plane should be heated evenly over the entire area, smoothing the material the first time.
4. Reliability and safety. The device is in contact not only with the fabric, but also with accessories in the form of buttons, locks and metal parts. The sole must be resistant to damage.
5. Easy to care for. Plaque from burnt fibers is rarely formed. In this case, clean it up as soon as possible.

Better cope with the work of iron coatings that do not spoil expensive clothes.

Types of coatings

To determine which iron soleplate is best, consider the materials from which it is made.

Aluminum

After cast iron, aluminum coatings appeared first. They were distinguished by their low price and ease of handling.

• smooth plane;
• light weight;
• quickly heats up and cools down;
• is cheap.

• due to rapid heating, the sole undergoes deformation, glossy areas form on the linen;
• ironing clothes with such a device is possible only through additional fabric, or gauze;
• buttons and zippers leave scratches that cling to the fabric and spoil the material;
• soot appears in the damage and dirt lingers, which leads to poor sliding;
• an incorrectly selected mode can burn through clothes.

Given the shortcomings, manufacturers began to cover aluminum with an oxide film. The anodized layer has been heat treated, it glides better and does not stick. For example, the Azur Excel plus model. To improve the quality, the aluminum plane was covered with ceramics. The weight of the device does not change, and the service life is extended.

Braun introduced the Eloxal coating. It is based on aluminum oxidized by electrolytes. It deforms less when heated.

Stainless steel combinations

The main advantage of a stainless steel product is durability. Even when heated to the maximum temperature, deformation is not terrible for him.

• durability;
• easy slip;
• smooth plane;
• not afraid of mechanical damage in the form of accessories;
• not subject to corrosion;
• affordable price;
• smoothes well.

• long heating and cooling time;
• great weight.

Appliances with a stainless steel base are the best-selling ones. This is facilitated by the average price and reliability. Given consumer demand, scientists have improved strength through additives.

Nickel and chromium were added to the alloy. This improved the appearance and increased the corrosion resistance of the platform. The nickel-plated surface has a golden hue, while the chrome gives a bluish color. For example, Inox glissee from Bosch.

The strength of the stainless steel base is given by a coating of crystal sapphire powder. Not a gem, but a mineral obtained synthetically. The sole processed by him is not afraid of metal rivets and zippers on clothes. The best in terms of strength with such a platform is Braun's Saphir.

Stainless steel base coated with T-ionicGlide titanium oxide to resist scratches.

Metal ceramics and ceramics

The advantages of this material were appreciated by companies: Tefal, Siemens, Philips and others. Irons with cermet soles became popular immediately after they appeared on the market.

• smooth surface: glides over the fabric more easily, providing high quality ironing;
• simply cleared of soot;
• low cost;
• delicate effect on clothes;
• uniform heating;
• convenience and ease of use.

The disadvantage of ceramic coating is its fragility. A chip from a button or a metal zipper may occur on the surface. Because of this, cracks and delaminations appear.

Ceramics are used in combination with metals and their alloys. The cermet base is suitable for high temperature ironing. It can be found on irons of firms: Tefal - Durilium, ultragliss diffusion; Braun - ceramic-jet; Bosch - palladium glissee.

Philips has released the Steamglide coating, which is distinguished by its durability. It is made on the basis of glass ceramics. The iron is lighter, with smooth sliding.

Teflon base

Teflon does not burn, nothing sticks to it and it is light. But when interacting with metal, scratches may appear.

• does not burn;
• easy slip;
• ease of maintenance.

• the sole is easy to scratch;
• can not be placed on a metal stand to cool, so as not to damage the base.

Titanium based coatings

Titanium is famous for its strength and durability - it is used in the construction of space rockets.

• strength;
• easy slip;
• non-stick properties;
• uniform heating;
• reliability and durability.

• big weight;
• warms up for a long time;
• high price.

The disadvantages do not matter compared to the high quality of titanium.

Enamel Granit glisse

He is not afraid of any damage and blows. Easily glides over clothes, smoothing out all the wrinkles. The disadvantage of enamel is its fragility. With active use, strength is lost.

Tefal has released an iron with the autoclean catalys function - the ability to self-clean. Dirt is not deposited and is removed by a chemical reaction.

New development, Simplepro iron surface. Non-stick, suitable for all fabrics.

Form features and number of holes

When choosing an iron, pay attention to its shape. The optimal shape of the device will facilitate the ironing process.

Form features:

• Button groove - a thin edge of the base for ironing the fabric under the buttons.
• A pointed nose will smooth out frills and collars.
• The rounded back part does not crumple the fabric when moving back.
• For normal steaming, the soleplate must have at least 50 holes.

When buying it is worth considering

A universal option for the active use of the iron - models with interchangeable soles. The type of base is selected for each material. A large surface, for example, is suitable for ironing bed linen and curtains.

Stainless steel covers are suitable for those who rarely iron. If you care about the safety of your clothes, consider ceramic-metal or titanium coating.

In almost every home there was a place for an indispensable device in many ways, called an iron. Since time immemorial, it is thanks to him that we have the opportunity to make our things more neat and attractive, regardless of whether we are talking about clothes, curtains or other things based on fabrics.

And if earlier the iron was a rather primitive device, the main structural element of which was a heated metal sole, today these are high-tech devices equipped with a number of wonderful features that turn the ironing process into a real pleasure.

The last words fully apply only to high-quality representatives of such household appliances, an example of which is the Bosch iron. In this regard, information about which iron coating is better to choose will be of interest.

Iron soleplate material

But whatever the iron, the main element of its design is still the sole. Today, it still has a metal version in the form of stainless steel or aluminum.

In many modern models, the metal is additionally coated with a special coating, which reduces the friction of the sole on the fabric and reduces the risk of completely unsightly "burns" on the surface of things.

The most common iron soleplate is aluminum. This is the best combination of price and quality. Along with the advantages, it also has many disadvantages.

Advantages of the aluminum sole:

• low cost;
• light weight;
• good thermal conductivity (heats up and cools down quickly).

• can leave shiny marks on the fabric;
• slip deteriorates over time;
• easily scratched, which can damage delicate fabrics.

To reduce the disadvantages, some manufacturers subject aluminum to a special treatment, which results in anodized aluminum with an oxide film. This facilitates sliding and increases the strength of the soleplate.

Stainless steel

Analyzing which iron sole is better, you should pay attention to stainless steel and various combinations with it.

Advantages:

• durability;
• good glide;
• strength;
• does not rust;
• easy to clean;
• heating occurs evenly throughout the sole;
• does not leave marks on the fabric;
• average price range.

Flaws:

• heats up for a long time;
• heavy.

To improve technical performance, various metals are added to stainless steel for the soleplate of the iron:

1. Aluminum - improves gliding on the fabric and increases heat transfer.
2. Chrome - prolongs service life, protects against corrosion.

Also, in order to improve the coating of the soleplate of the iron, it is treated with a laser, which improves non-stick properties and increases wear resistance.

Many experts, answering the question which iron sole is considered the best, will say that it is ceramic-metal.

At high temperatures, the best glide has a ceramic-metal coating, and at low temperatures Teflon.

Ceramic-metal is distinguished from ceramics by greater resistance to mechanical damage, this is achieved due to the addition of various metals to the composition of ceramics.

Advantages of the ceramic-metal soleplate of the iron:

• uniform heating;
• delicate attitude to the ironed fabric;
• the best sliding when ironing;
• ease of operation and subsequent maintenance;
• average price range.

titanium surface

The best sole for an iron is titanium, it is not in vain that it is used in construction in the space industry.

Titanium coating applied to stainless steel.

Advantages of the titanium soleplate of the iron:

• long service life;
• increased slip when ironing;
• high strength;
• good non-stick qualities;
• uniform heating.

Flaws:

• heats up for a long time;
• heavy;
• great cost.

Sole shape

From the point of view of practicality and ease of use, irons with a sole are very good, on the surface of which there are special recesses and holes that allow you to create a kind of air cushion between it and the fabric.

There are usually 20 to 100 holes depending on the manufacturer and model.

The pointed nose makes it easy to smooth out small details and areas around buttons.

When sliding the iron backwards, the rounded back of the iron plate will help prevent unnecessary creases.

Main manufacturers

The first thing we pay attention to is the reputation of the manufacturer. Irons Bosch, Siemens, Vitek, Philips, Roventa, etc. For a long time they have become a benchmark for us in terms of their quality, comfort of use, stylish design and versatility.

Such irons can be presented as relatively cheap, simple models that can only smooth things out, as well as more complex devices with a vertical steam function.

At the moment, the best iron soleplate is cermet, it meets most of the requirements for the working surface of the iron.

If the price is not important for you, then choose an iron with a titanium coating.

Probably, each of us has come across such a situation when the iron spoils something dear to us. As a rule, such damage is not an isolated case. After that, irons often begin to "jump" on an ongoing basis and it becomes unbearable to use them, and even to the detriment of oneself. So, the situation eventually ends with a trip to the store, where we are faced with a huge selection of this element of household appliances, but we want to buy, of course, the best one and not for a fabulous price. What sole among such a large selection, which model to give preference to, this article will tell.

What is the most important?

If you ask a specialist, he will immediately say that the main thing in an iron is the sole. It is important that it heats up well, is smooth, cleans well from dirt, does not scratch, glides well, and so on. But which iron sole is good, we will analyze each separately.

How about aluminium?

The best thermal conductivity among the metals from which the soleplate for the iron is made is aluminum. It heats up well and quickly and also cools down quickly. In addition, you will be pleased with the price of an iron with an aluminum soleplate. It does, however, have its downside. Although aluminum soleplates can be sanded to the point where nothing interferes with the smooth sliding of the iron over the fabric, it is subject to slight mechanical damage.

For example, if you are ironing jeans, which always have a lot of all sorts of rivets and metal buttons, then the iron coating will certainly be scratched. You won't notice it right away, but after a year of intensive use, the entire sole will be scratched and, as a result, contaminated with microscopic particles of fabric that will stain new clothes. Of course, you can iron things through some kind of fabric, but this is not very convenient. This all applies to irons of cheaper models.

Maybe teflon?

Which is sprayed with inexpensive aluminum soles, tends to induce shine, especially if things are woolen. Teflon has some advantages that make up for the shortcomings of plain aluminum. For example, nothing will ever stick to it. But nothing protects it from scratches, over time it will peel off.

Advantages of ceramics

The well-known manufacturer Tefal has developed a coating that is different from many others. This is the so-called glass-ceramic coating, made in a ribbed form, which allows the device to easily glide over the fabric. The developers also claim that the iron with a ceramic sole is able to cope with even the most difficult to iron fabrics.

Stainless steel sole

Stainless steel, of course, has enhanced characteristics in terms of strength and wear resistance. Therefore, when choosing a practical model and deciding which iron soleplate is good, you should pay attention to this option. It is easy to clean, it is also good in sliding, which, as we have already understood, is important when choosing a decent iron. But stainless steel is not a panacea. An iron with a stainless steel soleplate will last you a long time, but it is heavier than its competitors and the process of heating and cooling takes much longer than that of the same aluminum. This will be noticeable if you are in a hurry somewhere and you urgently need to iron your clothes, and the iron is not in a hurry to heat up. It is also worth noting that such a device will cost you more, because the cost of stainless steel is much higher than that of aluminum or ceramics.

titanium iron

An iron with a titanium-coated soleplate not only sounds powerful, but is also expensive. But, of course, the iron, the price of which is so high, is fully justified. Titanium, as we know, is one of the lightest and strongest metals. Such a coating of the soleplate of the iron is particularly durable. Another wonderful property of titanium coating is the ease of cleaning. Even if you leave the iron on the fabric, which, according to all the laws of the genre, should stick to it tightly, it can be easily cleaned. Just let it cool down and wipe it with a damp cloth. Only one disadvantage is the titanium coating of the soleplate of the iron - it has a low thermal conductivity. Even the thinnest layer of coating significantly reduces the heating temperature of the sole. When buying, this is also worth considering.

Puff

Some manufacturers never stop experimenting with aluminum and trying to give it the strength it lacks while maintaining its outstanding thermal conductivity. They achieve this by layering one coating on another. For example, manufacturers such as Siemens and Bosch prefer to cover the aluminum soleplate with a thin layer of stainless steel. They were the first to cover stainless steel bases with heavy-duty enamel, which in its properties and strength resembles high-quality processed granite, from which this line of irons is called Granit glisse.

Manufacturers are so confident in this combination that when answering the question of which iron soleplate is good and durable, they openly declare that their supercoating is not scratched, recommending that especially heavy dirt be cleaned off with an iron brush.

"Philips" and "Tefal" also offer the consumer irons with a ceramic coating. True, they differ significantly from their competitors in the way the ceramic layer is applied and processed. This is fired ceramic, applied in a thin layer on the aluminum base of the sole. Such a sole has all the qualities necessary for a decent iron. It heats up well, and has sufficient strength, and does not add unwanted shine to the fabric, also allowing you to iron even the most capricious synthetics. This was made possible because of the unusual material that the developers use. This material is hardened enamel, or as it is also called - Durilium.

The special soles "Brown" deserve special attention, and the best part is that the price for such an iron is not very high. Despite the special manufacturing technique, they remain in the middle cost category. This cannot leave indifferent the buyer who wants to purchase a quality product at the best price. The coating of these irons is called sapphire. This does not mean that the company uses powdered sapphires to make quality soles. Sapphire in this case is called a type of corundum. This mineral is also used as an abrasive. This is because it has incredible strength, which only a diamond can compete with.

The low cost of this mineral is due to the fact that it is mined artificially. The name is just a marketing ploy. At the same time, irons from the "Sapphire" series are in no way inferior to the highest quality of the above irons by any criteria and are really very good to use.