Flat Sad Irons would be the bulk of any collection and vary in size from 0 - 24 plus, and include many variations from the standard with multiple type handles and brands, to the Mrs Potts/Enterprise cool iron (then US .78 cents per set of three) These irons being heated via a cooking/heating range or fire. Many of these irons indicate their manufacturer by bosses in the centre, there are publications to unravel these mystery mystic signs.

Commercial Flat Sad Irons cover a multitude of irons including: very heavy tailors seam irons, hat makers irons, patterned base polishing irons, patterned shapes, sailmaker irons and billiard table irons all coming in a multitude of shapes, sizes and materials.

Live Steam Irons used commercially in laundries all over the world are slowly being replaced with electric presses and other modern ironing devices.  The live steam irons are heavy and very dangerous, being heated via flexible pipes/hoses through entry and exit fittings using very hot steam under pressure from a large boiler that would be used to run  the whole laundry.  Modern laundries have refined this practice now using light weight irons via a small individual boiler plugged into a wall socket.