Komelon SM5416 Speed Mark Gripper Acrylic Coated Steel Blade Tape Measure 16-feet by 1-Inch, White Blade

Surprisingly good tape measurer. Wide body looks like description. Black cover has good soft feel. The pics of it show a white face which is why I ordered it (tired of yellow and hard to read) but it is actually lt blue. Not a deal breaker still easier to read. Lock is just right and easy to use. Good solid spring retractor without slamming it. Ive been through a lot of tapes and am amazed to see quality and price on this item hence the gushing review : ) Edit - after using for 3 months the end rivet broke off while retracting. Ordering another one because it had become my fav tape. A little disappointed and if happens again will be moving to a different brand...

I bought this even though it was a brand name I never heard of because it has the 16th marking right on the tape. Meaning you dont have to be thinking is that 3/16s or 11/16s, it actually says 3/16 on the tape. When I am working its sometimes hard to see the tape lines (as Im old) and being able to read the numbers makes it easier. The tape has a nice feel and is slightly more compact in size than other tapes. The case is rubberized so you dont have to worry as much about scratching a table if you lay it down, unlike a lot of brands that are hard plastic. The lock feature is a novel design, well see if it holds up over time. The reason I bought this was because I had two other brand tapes have the lock break on the same day. This one is good so far.

The lock feature broke right away but is easy to read

This tape measure is my go-to tape measure while Im in the wood shop building things. It feels solid, and can take a beating (Ive dropped it more times than I care to count). The square bottom with the rubberized cover is perfect to set it down on the surface youre measuring, and it keeps it from sliding back or retracting. I took off one star for the locking feature, because the lock doesnt always engage if that side of the tape measure housing is against the edge of whatever youre measuring. Outside of that, I have no complaints at all. I have both the 16 and 25 versions, but the slightly more compact form of the 16 makes it the standard tape measure that lives in my shop apron.

Lock feature sucks

This tape is easy to read because of the high contrast between the white background and the black numbers and marks. Most tapes are yellow, and this contrast is not present. The tape is sturdy, even when it’s extended a long way. The lock is more than adequate. The tape has enough heft, but it’s not so much so that it’s bulky and your apron. I highly recommend this item.