4Z Review- World's Most Advanced Pricking Iron? Let's find out!

Join me in this video review, where we take a closer look at a new Chinese made pricking iron at the pinnacle of innovation and design.
A true removable, replaceable and rotatable prong iron. No special tools, jigs or equipment is needed outside of the supplied Allen key, meaning you don't have to send your pricking iron back if you snap a prong.
🎁Want a FREE course? 👇Are you new to the Leathercraft Masterclass? 👇To get started, claim your FREE video course (& discover the #1 thing every leathercrafter NEEDS to know).
Go now and sign up! The FREE video course (instant access) will be in your inbox in UNDER 60 seconds from now! ⏰📥
👉 www.leathercraftmasterclass.c...
I'll see you there, Philip
Discover how the online courses can help you and your leathercraft:
www.leathercraftmasterclass.com/
Other useful resources:
Follow on IG!
/ leathercraftmasterclass
Read the Blog!
www.leathercraftmasterclass.c...
Listen to the Podcast!
www.leathercraftmasterclass.c...
Follow on Tik Tok!
/ leathercraftmasterclass
Follow on Facebook!
/ leathercraftmasterclass
Product Link to 4Z Pricking Irons: (eBay) ebay.us/YgdqUO
#leathercraftmasterclass #leathertools #leathercraft #leatherwork #saddlestitching
#handstitching #prickingiron #beginnerleathertools

[@ricardoflores7398]

I have the 3.0, 3.38, 3.85 sizes and love them. Stainless steel all around and able to invert the teeth for thicker leather is icing on the cake. The teeth are polished and the pricking iron has its nice weight. I would definitly reccomend these prickking iron. some will come with the metric hex screw and some with the flat screwdriver screw (all stainless). The wait is long but well worth it.

[@craftycow1970]

Thank you for a great review. Just recieved a set of the 4Z 3.85, they are now in a beautiful black presentation box and come with spare teeth, spare grub screws and a small screwdriver, these are my first irons and i'm seriously impressed, the quality feel and finish is excellent. The small screwdriver grub screws to me make sence as it is possible to apply to much pressure with a hex key. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

That's wonderful to hear Emma! I'm so glad you happy with them and I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. 👍

[@ivanvalad4729]

Right now I'm between buying these and sinabroks but I can't find a single video comparing the two. This has been a tough choice 👀

[@ronin5273]

I bought a set , they are really perfect and high quality, easy to use

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

Great to hear! Thanks for sharing Ronin.

[@ronin5273]

Leathercraft Masterclass thanks for guide

[@johndally7994]

I placed an order after this excellent review, and was surprised to see they won't ship for two months. That wasn't spelled out on the ebay page. I don't mind waiting. It would have been nice to know that before I placed the order, however. Maybe it's stated somewhere and I missed it. I ordered the "French" style hoping that is the style you reviewed. Love your videos, and I plan to sign up for the class as soon as I get off the road.

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

Similar story with Wuta leather right now. Either they are out stock or they are taking an extended Chinese new year! Yes, you bought the same ones that I have. Cheers, Phil

[@johndally7994]

@@LeathercraftMasterclass Thanks Phil. After I posted the above I also ordered the Wutan pricking irons. I'm sure they are worth the wait, and waiting is a pleasure when goods are coming. BTW, I'm really enjoying your podcast episodes. Your podcast is several cuts above the rest. I highly recommend them.

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

Thank you John, much appreciated :)

[@sigmann66]

Thank you for this detailed review. Do you have updates on the longevity of the blades on these?

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

Touch wood I've never broken a prong in my entire career. So these are holding up just fine with no blade replacements (though they do come with spares).

[@miamiyake]

Oh dang it, watching you stitch is mesmerising 🤗 My 4z'z are awaiting me back home, im burning in my starting blocks to try them! they better give me an awlgasm 😂

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

Lol, yes they are great irons, you will like them! 👍😄

[@deepdiver849]

miamiyake did you order it recently? Because now it says it is unavailable. May I ask you when exactly did you order it? I believe they are doing some upgrades on their 4z. Are you in touch with them?

[@harmduplessis7038]

Thanks for the awesome review, who is the artist you used for the background music?

[@menii00]

Hi, thank you for this review! Could you maybe explain when you would use this one (french style) versus the „sharp pointy style“ („olive shape“ in their ebay)?

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

I haven't used the other styles so I can't comment on them. But a flat base on a prong will only need to go in as far as the surface underneath to give a clean opening on the rear side, whereas a tapered point will need to penetrate onto the underlying surface until the taper is complete.

[@jonathanyates707]

Hi, I watched your video earlier,then bought the product. Here goes .....

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

That's great Jonathan! Welcome to the Leathercraft Masterclass. Don't forget to email me if you need any extra support 👍

[@nancysleathercraft5373]

Love your video, where can I purchase these irons. I really love to make leather boxes and these would be perfect.

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

The link to the irons is in the video description box. Thank you 👍

[@johndally7994]

The manufacturer sent me an email saying his workers haven't been able to come to work because of the corona virus. He kindly offered to refund my order, but I told I don't mind waiting, especially under the circumstances. I hope he, his workers and family all stay safe and healthy. I just wanted to post this because of what I posted before about the delay. I hope he can stay in business and no one gets sick.

[@oo-wr4pq]

Same with all stuff from China. I've had 3 orders refunded for the time being.

[@windharp1064]

Sorry to bump this, do you have contact info for 4z? I wanted to place a specialized order that didn't go through aliexpress. Thanks!

[@charismaleather]

How funny))) I have also been selling these punches in my Etsy store for a long time and I got the manufacturer to make a normal nice box for packaging instead of this blue cat litter

[@myv6mustang]

Had a KSblade slip of my pound board and hit my marble surface...Need to send it back to Korea to fix...this is very appealing ...

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

And that's what sold me too!

[@tobychye6582]

4z Pricking Iron. I believe the 4z stand for the 4 'z's in the initials of the company that makes them (至中正造 ). This translates to Zhi Zhong Zheng Zao, and if you take the 4 initials for each word, it makes out to be 4z. But that's just wild speculation on their thought process of finding an English name for these irons.

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

Thank goodness, it's certainly easier saying 4Z! :D:D:D

[@LeathercraftLab]

Chinese is 中正制造 (Zhong Zheng Zhi Zao) menas "make in Zhong Zheng".

[@gilberttoronto]

WOULD LOVE TO GET THE LINK FOR THE STITCHING PICKING THANK YOU

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

The link is at the bottom of the video description box 👍

[@DianeyDarker]

Don't they have these in round prongs? Not the slanted or the diamond ones?

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

I believe they do yes

[@darlinespring4066]

Nice irons.

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

They are Darline. Thanks for watching! :)

[@bharatlourembam6847]

I want to buy this item

[@mihaitaflorescu7358]

Hello, please help me with some infomations regarding the spare tooths: -All the teeths have the same dimensions and if they are, what are according to the stitching step? -What is the dimension of the part of the teeth that pierce the leather and the overall dimension of the whole teeth? -The price of the tooth vary according to its dimension? -Can I buy a tooth for each dimension? What is the price? Thank you very much, and please excuse my english.

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

The specs and dimensions are available in the product description on 4Z's page. Best to contact them directly with any questions. The link to irons is above in my video description box 👍

[@pequodexpress]

Which iron leaves a clearer and cleaner pilot hole for guiding an awl, 4Z or KS Blade?

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

Both give pretty tiny slits, not ideal for awl work. They are great for penetrating through, but pretty lousy for chasing with an awl. That's why I generally prefer vintage irons, especially for traditional work.

[@pequodexpress]

@@LeathercraftMasterclass Thanks. I have the 4Z, and was thinking of getting of getting the KS Blade, but only if it provides better slots for guiding an awl blade. I guess I will just stick with what I have.

[@ahmadfaris8044]

For a peasant like me.. leather tools are a Noble's toys..

[@abbeyabbass9114]

HI I ordered the pricking irons as you recommended , and they arrived this morning , they looked good but there were NO spare teeth tools with order. I have sent an email to the supplier. What would you suggest? Many thanks Abbey Abbass

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

I would recommend exactly what you have done Abbey.

[@abbeyabbass9114]

@@LeathercraftMasterclass Hi can I ask what email address do you have for the company , as up to now they have not responded to my several emails or even acknowledge receipt of correspondence , Many thanks, Abbey ( I'm sorry I don't know your name)

[@Standingbear56]

Great review! How does the 4Z irons compare quality wise to the KS Blades? Thank you, George Kane

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

Cheers! Both seem to be well built. Personally, after trying both, I prefer the 4Z irons due to what they can do with their prongs.

[@pequodexpress]

The prongs on the KS Blades are not user replaceable. The iron needs to be sent to South Korea if teeth need replacing.

[@haroonikhan1201]

Where available

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

Link is in the video description box.

[@popscratchie3985]

When you say you like vintage irons, what do you mean? Do you mean Antique or do you mean something like the Wuta irons with non removable teeth

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

Yes, I guess technically that would mean anything over 20 years old. So Blanchard, J Dixon, Adams etc, most no longer in production sadly.

[@GamingKing-ql6fq]

Can these go all the way through the leather?

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

Oh yeah, better than any other I have come across.

[@GamingKing-ql6fq]

@@LeathercraftMasterclass how do these stack up against the sinabroks Pricking irons?

[@mihaitaflorescu7358]

Hello, if I want to buy more tooths, what can I do?

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

Hello. Best to contact the seller. Thanks for watching! 👍

[@joneswangleather7138]

I still prefer one piece pricking iron

[@LeathercraftLab]

I have buy it on ebay!

[@bazlur-Vancouver]

you are seller there of 4z

[@mihaitaflorescu7358]

Hello, I want to ask you if is possible to buy: -The Pricking Iron with two tooths of 3.3 mm and 32 spare tooths -The Pricking Iron with two tooths of 4 mm and 32 spare tooths -The Pricking Iron with two tooths of 4.5 mm and 32 spare tooths Thank you!

[@LeathercraftMasterclass]

I have no idea. Perhaps you could ask someone who makes or sells them

[@ozzy7457]

Beautiful but way overpriced. Buy the generic irons from china replace the prong's with these ones and save yourself lots of money 👍