Long ago and far away, I was given a spiffy low-wattage soldering iron.
It was middling useless for most of its alleged functions (jack of all trades and master of none).
But, it did have one endearing quality. It had a screw-on xacto-style cruciform clamping head. This was underwhelming when used with a #11 blade. But, a stout bit of steel needle on the other hand--that was rather the cat's meow.
Rug needles seemed to be the very thing. Sturdy. inexpensive; you could hone the tip on a stone after wearing a burr on the tip--pretty good deal all around.
Wonder where that iron wound up . . . <sigh>