Until recently, soldering tools weren't very high tech. Our first soldering pick was made from a section of sharpened coat hanger and most clamping and binding was accomplished using soft iron binding or baling wire. The problem with using iron wire is that silver solder adheres to it, it rusts and corrodes when quenched in water, plus it softens or relaxes at soldering temperature.

Once stainless steel tools and binding wire were introduced, the rusting problems were eliminated. Stainless steel is so tough, though, it's difficult to bend to bind and clamp, and when heated to soldering temperature the wire…