thank you everyone for posting on this. i been searching for this tool and any other alternative for a while (short of flying to paris to get more tools).
so i was flipping through the forum whilst ironing my clothes and thought... "how about i google for mini-irons" and found this:
http://www.sew4home.com/tips-resources/buying-guide/everything-old-new-again-fabriccom-clover-mini-iron
do you guys think its a workable solution? i saw a variable temperature model available but am not sure about the heat settings available. i did read somewhere that to etch exotic leather - you need the lowest temp at 160-190 degrees (celscius).
any feedback (no matter how hogwash you think this idea is would be appreciated).