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#5 9 Inch Metal Brass Handbag YKK Zipper Assortment - Brass Auto Lock, Medium Weight Closed Bottom, Made in the USA Review (2026)

Updated September 14, 2026 · Research-based review

Our verdict

This 9 inch YKK brass zipper assortment with an auto lock slider suits leatherworkers building clutches, pouches or medium bags who want a slider that resists creeping open on its own. The main strength is the locking mechanism plus USA made YKK components, and the trade-off is that 9 inches is on the short side for a full tote opening.

#5 9 Inch Metal Brass Handbag YKK Zipper Assortment - Brass Auto Lock, Medium Weight Closed Bottom, Made in the USA

A #5 9 Inch YKK brass handbag zipper assortment with auto lock sliders, medium weight, closed bottom and made in the USA.

Price range: See on Amazon

What we liked

  • + Auto lock slider keeps the zipper from creeping open
  • + 9 Inch length fits clutches and medium pouches
  • + Made in the USA YKK zippers with solid brass teeth

Trade-offs

  • - Assortment colors may not all match your projects
  • - 9 Inch is short for full-size tote openings

Who This Assortment Fits

This listing bundles number 5 brass zippers cut to a 9 inch overall length, sold as an assortment so buyers can choose a quantity and mix of colors rather than committing to a single shade. The auto lock slider is the standout feature here, since the pull stays put once released instead of drifting open under the weight of items inside a bag, which matters for anything carried in a pocket or purse where the zipper brushes against other objects. A 9 inch closed bottom zipper fits clutches, medium pouches, pencil cases and the front pocket of a larger bag, though it is too short for a full width tote or duffel opening. Leatherworkers who want to test several zipper colors against a hide before settling on one for a production run benefit most from the assortment format.

Brass Hardware and Measurements

The zipper measures 9 inches overall with an actual zipper length closer to 10.5 inches before any trimming, a tape width of about 9/16 inch on each side of the teeth, number 5 metal teeth roughly 5mm across, and a metal pull around 1 inch long. YKK supplies the teeth and slider, and the listing states the zippers are made in the United States, which is worth confirming against the packaging if consistency between orders matters for a production run. The auto lock slider is a mechanical feature built into the pull itself, using a small tooth that engages the chain when the slider is released, distinct from a simple friction slider that can slip open under its own weight. Available color assortments include shades like orange red, medium green, cerise pink, medium blue, dark purple and lite peach among others.

Fitting It to a Bag or Pouch

Because the bottom is closed, this zipper installs the same way as other closed bottom types, basted or glued into place along the leather edge before top stitching, with a small margin of tape left past the stitch line so the slider has room to travel. The auto lock feature is most useful on pouches and bags that get tossed into a larger tote or backpack, where a plain slider can catch on other items and work itself open. Builders should measure the finished opening on their pattern against the 9 inch length before cutting leather, since a closed bottom zipper cannot be shortened without removing the bottom stop and resealing it, a repair that is fiddly on a finished bag. Testing the lock action, sliding the pull and confirming it holds without a light tug, is worth doing before final assembly.

How It Stacks Up

Against the 5 pack of ring pull zippers sold under the same closed bottom YKK brass category, this assortment trades a locking slider and mixed colors for a shorter overall length and less control over exact color per unit ordered. The six piece notch ring pull mix in seasonal colors offers a similar assortment format but without the auto lock detail, so buyers choosing between the two should weigh whether the locking pull matters more than color range. None of these zippers suit an open garment like a jacket, since the closed bottom construction only works for bags, pouches and similarly closed applications. Buyers needing a longer run, past about 9 inches, for a full size tote should look at longer YKK options rather than trimming this one.

Bottom Line

Bag and pouch makers who value a slider that will not creep open and want brass hardware from a known manufacturer get solid value here, as long as the 9 inch length matches the pattern being sewn. Buyers making larger totes, duffels or anything needing an opening longer than about 9 inches should look at a longer length rather than trying to extend this one, since closed bottom zippers cannot be lengthened after manufacture. Anyone who wants one confirmed matching color across every zipper in an order, rather than an assortment, may prefer the single color 5 pack listing in the same brass zipper line instead.

Frequently asked questions

What does auto lock mean on this zipper slider?

An auto lock slider has a small mechanism that engages the zipper teeth when you let go of the pull, so it resists sliding open on its own the way a plain friction slider can under the weight of a full bag.

Is 9 inches long enough for a tote bag?

It fits clutches, pouches and medium bags well, but a full width tote opening usually needs a longer zipper, so measure your pattern before ordering this length.

Can I choose exactly which colors I get in an assortment?

Assortment packs mix colors from the available range rather than guaranteeing specific shades, so buyers who need one exact color should look at a single color listing instead.

Are these zippers suitable for a jacket?

No, the closed bottom design means the tape cannot separate into two halves, so it only works for bags and pouches rather than garments that need to open fully.

Prices change often, so check the current price and availability on Amazon.

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