I just found your NEW FAVORITE TAPE MEASURE!....Your welcome! 

The auto lock Stanley’s wear out really fast and then you can never fully lock the tape in position and any time you move the tape will retract. I prefer the old style Stanley lever lock. They came in bright green or bright orange and had a lever across the entire bottom. It was the most intuitive and smoothest running tape measures I’ve ever used.

I'm a finish carpenter and it drives me crazy when people retract the tape fast and let it snap back, it makes the hook less accurate in a short period of time which pretty much makes it useless if you need precision. Rant over...good video

I really like the Fastcap family of tapes. They sell the tapes with a variety of marking styles, so you can pick the style that meets your kind of work or personal preference. They also have some features that are missing from most other tapes, such as a built-in pencil sharpener and an erasable notepad. This makes it easy to mark down measurements as they are made. They are smooth in operation, easy to read accurately, and durable. I used a Stanley for years. Now, my go to tape is made by Fastcap.

Stanley's waranty on their tape measures is awesome. I recently just had to make a phone call and confirmed I followed their instructions online about damages I may have caused and they asked for the numbers on my tape measure and sent me a brand new one that was as close to the older model I had that had internal issues.

I've got like 6 different ones but the old Stanley is my fav when cutting sheetrock. The blade on my knife and hook match up perfectly to make mark free fast and accurate cuts.

I'm with you clint on a Stanley fat max..they are my go to..they never let me down .. If I'm not using it I'm using my Bosch or fluke laser tape measure for longer more accurate measurements in buildings and such

Now I know where they hid Jimmy Hoffa! In that messy Husky tool box behind ya! DANG SON!

I have an old steel Lufkin ruler from the 1940s, made in Saginaw Michigan. Even though it's just a ruler, it's one of my most used tools. Perfect straight edge, perfect for small measurements and I can even use its sharp edge to mark 2x4s if I'm too lazy to grab a pencil. I haven't bought any new Lufkin products, but I do love that old ruler.

I ran with fatmaxs forever but switched over to the Milwaukee wide blade's. Love the hook on them for pinching my knife blade or pencil against and the opening on the bottom to bring it in without pinching the fingers. I get real close to 12' stand out and that's with it coming out just about level. If I were to check the stand out like you were I can probably get the whole tape to stand out

I've been using Fatmax since they came out. My next one will have the magnetic tip and auto-lock features. I do predominantly residential wiring so no steel studs but the magnet would be handy for picking up dropped screws when installing fans or light fixtures. The one thing I wish Stanley would do is put the scale on both sides.

My big time go-to tape measure is an older Lufkin Self-Centering Hi Viz model. Three things I like: Locks well. Very accurately provides a center measurement along with your regular measurement. Is the only tape measure I own that no matter how far out I measure, it matches exactly my expensive Starrett measuring tools. I have a Fat Max which I like too, but it differs slightly as it's pulled out from 'zero' compared to my Starrett tools. Still a good tape measure though. I have a Colbalt handy in the kitchen for quick, not accurate, measurements when needed.

My daily tape is a 16’ fat max. I’ve tried them all and it’s my favorite by far . I had some lufkins back in the day and they’re retraction was so aggressive they were borderline dangerous and the numbers were hard to see . I’ll check the new ones out . I appreciate your videos as always!

I work indoors doing kit cabin manufacturing which involves building windows and doors, floor and roof systems etc. I was introduced to the Komelon brand, specifically the Speed Gripper in 16’ and 25’. Love it. Perfect size, rubber moulded exoskeleton protects the hook from bending from drops/falls. White face, 1/16ths, easy to read. Beauty tape 👌 It replaced the FatMax 25 in my home workshop.

I’ve been using an auto lock tape for the last 3 years for work and I will never buy an non auto lock tape ever again. It is very helpful

Bro, i have had that Lufkin NyteEye since springtime and i LOVE IT!!! That blade is super grippy which comes in SUPERDEEDOOPER handy since i am a Loner too! Great content. Keep it up! Thank You.

I have an old Black & Decker battery powered electric extender tape measure, I carried it for 15 years in structural demolition and construction. I still use it, and it's stupid large but durable and it does a stand out to 15' and it extends pretty fast electrically.

That magnetic tip make it great for retrieving nuts, bolts, screws, etc. out of tight places.

Clint when you work by yourself there’s no one who will want to argue with you.😆😆. 👍👍for showing which ones do & don’t measure up. I have a fifteen year old Lufkin 25’ tape measure that I keep in the door pocket of my pickup truck just in case. When you get older your eye sight isn’t as good as before, so larger numbers are great. Keep’m coming

I use the cresent night eye in my tool belt. I also keep a Milwaukee 25 ft magnetic in my tool bag. I got the14in cresent tool bag based off your review . From a while back. I use it for my electrical tools. It's a good bag. And that tape measure is good to. I build a lot of decks and I'm sometimes a special guest on a framing team. It's the ultimate test for any tape measure . Thanks for the video Clint

6:49 I really felt that. Any time I try to ask a "friend" you quickly learn you have none. Maybe a lufkin tape can be my new friend. lol

The black lufkin is awesome for reading, but I’m on my third one in a year. The tape keeps tearing on me. It’s just not as tough as the Stanley. That tape that is your favorite, would be my favorite if the darn thing would last it stops working after a short while. Mine wore down and stopped grabbing. I think it lasted about four months. I tried 2 different tapes, and both of them stopped holding after a few months. The black and green Lufkin is my favorite, I just have to buy several each year.

Lost a dewalt 25ft a while back, finally replaced it last week. Love the wider tapes, less twisting/flopping for how I work. Big suprise feature for me was the opening along the bottom that lets you press your finger in to apply pressure to the tape without applying the lock. Stanley tapes? yup, they the standard. They do it and keep on doin it.

I still use my old school metal Stanley. Probably my favorite but I also have and like the Milwaukee tapes as well. I have the standard 25 foot, the autolock, and the magnetic. I always end up using whichever is closest to my work. Thanks for your review

I've used mainly Lufkin for years now. Mostly for grading work in the "hated" Engineers Scale. Dewalt put out an Engineers one a couple years back and it was pretty good as well. I wish they would make one with the Vertical numbers on the underside as well in Engineers scale. Would be great for shots. That being said my only gripe with most new tapes is the extra bulk in the cases.

Try out the Klein tools tape measure. Comes in 25 or 30 ft, 12.5ft stand out, has a magnet, and it has a pipe bending multiplier and shrinkage chart on the bottom. Which as an electrician is a pretty handy feature when having to make odd bends you don’t normally do that often

My favorite tape measure was a 35 ft DeWalt fat max style that I bought years ago. I loved it because a lot of the jobs I worked on had things that were a little over 30 feet. So it was sturdy and reliable. I gifted it to my cousin and thought I could just buy another one but I haven't found one like that in a long time

Years ago on the job, guys used to have tape measure races at lunch. Some would take em apart and add winding on the coil spring, polish and oil the guts, and place bets.

FastCap ProCarpenter 12 ft. tape measure with both U.S. Imperial AND Metric scales! A great woodworking tool (one nice feature doesn’t help with mechanical pencils, but it also has a built-in sharpener). Also, a Lee Valley 8 meter tape, and a tiny, DeWalt 9-ft. has a belt clip for pants or shop aprons and a magnet for attaching to steel cabinets and benches. I also have both 16- and 12-ft. versions of the classic, old Stanley PowerLock tape measures - smooth, durable and reliable. Finally, a fat, 16-ft. DeWalt that stands out to about 12-ft.

Have you ever tried a right handed tape measure? It sounds like a left handed screw driver but it is a real thing, and it sure does make things easier. The majority of tape measures sold today (including the 9 talked about in this video) are left handed. They are designed for you to pull with your right hand and mark with your left. But seeing how most of the world is right handed when we try to pull with our left hand and mark with our right the tape is upside down. I don't know why looking at numbers upside down is any different then right side up but most of my marking/measuring errors are due to an upside down tape. Right handed tape measures allow you to pull with the left hand and mark with the right hand keeping the numbers right side up. They are not the easiest things to find (I found some online but never in a store). However when you find one you will be surprised at how big of a difference it makes. Keep up the great videos.

I'm 66 years old. I've had the same 30' Powerlock, Made In The USA, silver Stanley bulletproof beast for about 4 decades. It still measures stuff. I did just break down and finally buy my first cordless drill to augment the Craftsman tank of a corded drill that's been poking holes in things for over three decades, so there's that ...

The Sears Craftsman tapes were my favorite. 30' variety for working in a fabrication shop. I'd get about 12 to 18 months use out of them and then get a new tape refill under the lifetime warranty. No more though.

Have used all of these recently, the dewalt is the smallest and most durable, some 30'ers are too big for my hand. I use that exact dewalt, they have a couple more expensive lines I don't like as well, but they all have lifetime guarantees one usually lasts me around 4 to 6 months. Lufkin was nice for a minute but as I expected the blade broke pretty quickly (a few weeks).

Komelon! Happened on 1 at local hardware and hooked now. Double sided, magnet, holds out long, stays hooked at 16' plus, and Always Opens with Gloves on (1 finger pop). Got 1 w/ metric, 1 w/engineer scale, and 2 reg

I currently use and faver my Milwaukee 25' magnetic however I still have a handful of Stanley Fat Max and leverlock 25 footer's that I've used for years and they have proven to stand the test of time. I don't have any experience with the Lufkin, maybe I'll have to pick one up and give it a try

Love your reviews of all the features on the new tape measures. There is just one more feature that I would really love to see on a tape. And that is a blue tooth signal so I can find the dang thing when I need it! 😜

I'm a commercial carpenter and work with metal studs and drywall, I've used numerous different tapes and I always find myself going back to the good ol' 25' Stanley chrome. It's the only tape that I have found that feels good in the hand and the blade to my rock knife hooks perfectly in the tip for scribing a cut on the rock.

Love the review and guy giving the review is great.

I have been using the stanley you like most for a while now and love it. I purchased the lufkin but it got wet once and failed to retract any more

That old Stanley power lock I probably got 10 of them in the garage my favorite that you cannot get anymore is the lever lock when you're returning that tape you can use that lever to let it go slow and stop I love that feature for whatever I was using it for I have a couple and I guard them with my life and a couple of pitbulls 😁

I got a lufkin a few years ago and I’ve loved it ever since very solid tape measures

I used Stanley fat max 25footer.... And I can get it to stand out to 13.5 foot before it breaks down! Although it does bend hand sag more than the Lufkin does it seems... Thinner tape causes that. But Stanley fat max is my favorite tape and I've used them for over 20 years now faithfully. Only ever bought 6 or 7 of them to replace or to have an extra etc. Good tape. Could be better but I like em a lot! I customize my fast max by peeling the sticker off the front, and then using some black walnut edge banding; I super glue horizontally the wood strips of edge banding to fill the circle in the middle of the black rubber grips! Then I sand that area with 220 or 400 grit to knock down the edges on a micro bevel so they don't snag sand rip upwards! IT LOOKS REALLY COOL AND NOBODY CAN STEAL TAPE ON THE JOB SITE!!!!OR MISTAKE IT FOR THEIRS!!! It looks like a custom walnut wooden tape measure from Stanley!!!! 👍✌️✌️✌️👍

When using tapes with magnets always check for small pieces of metal ( carpet tacks, nail heads, etc. ) stuck to it before measuring. Especially if your running base on a remodel.

I have an old Stanley 16 ft tape measure with metal housing that’s at least 30 years old (maybe 40+) that I like to use because of it’s size (not bulky). Still has smooth action. The only big issue is it doesn’t “stand out” as much as those wider, bulkier tape measures.

I work in hvac so I find the magnet more annoying than anything it sticks to everything, I’ve also found that auto locking tapes tend to lose they’re hold over time. The classic fatmax is hard to beat but I got a lufkin nite eye like 6 months ago and it’s quickly becoming my new favorite. Definitely gonna have to pick up the new one.

Great review and many laughs as well in your presentation. You have a lot of creative ideas on how a tape measure should be designed and perform on a job site. Consider putting your own tape measure on the market or selling your ideas to a company. I would buy one the day it hits the market.

I have the first generation Lufkin Nite Eye. Purposely bought it for easy reading and numbers on both sides. I also have Stanley and Craftsman. Craftsman does not seem to last very long.

Bro, you are the man. You make it easy and exciting.

For many years I was a Lufkin guy. I bought a 10' Stanley metal case used at a yard sale and it was my everyday tape til it broke several years later and haven't been able to find another. It wasn't snapback that broke it, it was dropping it.

K I’ve got a lurking 35’ shock force with nite eye ,my favorite so far 12’ stand out! 2 years of use and I stop it with my finger in between the tape case and end keeps it accurate!

I need my tape to have numbers on both sides. It has just become a must for me. Great vid like always man.

I've had one of the night eyes tapes for a while and really do like how much easier it is to read the markings.

I am a plumber at a production business I use a tape a lot. I hade a Lufkin I loved the big teeth on the end for measuring inside fittings and the fact that it is double sided but it broke around the 5" mark in less than 2 weeks. So I bought a fat max and it is my new favorite tape I just wish it was double sided.

" cause I'm a damn good person" 🤣🤣🤣. That was a damn good one Clint

The nitize Lufkin is pretty nice for the house. I still use the Fatmax xtreme. I had bought at least 10 in different lengths over the years. The 16' Fatman xtreme is a unicorn

25ft classic Lufkin. Fits great in the hand, and not too bulky in a leather pouch. Like the classic Stanley, but has a rocker switch instead of the slider.

My favorite tape measure is the one I can find when I need one. I have at least 4 tape measures and they always seem to be hiding. I have an old Stanley 30ft that has the locking mechanism on the bottom. To release it you squeeze the tape measure. I've never really wanted to shut off the lock.

I love the night eye. Ever since they come out with this tape measure it's by far my favorite.

Hands down the best is the Stanley autolock. I've been using the 16 and 25 since they released them. The 16 is prime for interior trim and cabinet installation.

Hell yeah. Night eyez gen 2 is solid.

Tape measures have play in the metal tab to account for the thickness of it so you can get accurate measurements whether you are hooking and pulling or butting the end. How does the magnetic tape measure account for this when you attach it as a butt measurement but then pull on the tape?

Hope the Lufkin comes out with a smaller tape measure, I am a finish carpenter we mostly do cabinetry and having a smaller size tape to get get real precise measurements in those tight places is a must. Other than that the Lufkin works for me just fine. I currently also use a Milwaukee auto lock which is a lot smaller and works good so far. Great video 👍👌

I bought a Lufkin nite eye 35 '. It the lightest smallest 35' I've used. I'm hooked

I was in construction for over 40 years. You will own mutiple tape measures at any given time. Your favorite one will be the case that feels the most comfortable in your hand.

Have you ever used a komelon led light tape measure? Do do alot of bathroom remodels and the led light comes in very handy. Sometimes I just use led light for a flashlight.

Gotta say I love my Komelon Tape Measure (SL72425): 25' reach, 9' standout, self-locking, magnetic tip, markings on both sides of the tape, 4th & 8th markings labeled the entire length.

I've used a lot of tape measures over nearly 4 decades and I liked a lot of them, Fat max are pretty nice but for my money I usually go for the classic stanely. I really liked the classic 30' doing flooring work.

I mainly have Milwaukee and Stanley tapes. Lately been using a kobalt. I just seen at harbor freight the new Hercules 25' tape they have now. It doesn't look to bad 1 1/4" blade numbers on both sides. It has magnetic and non magnetic. Supposed to have 14' stand out but i could only get a out 11' store.

I’ve been in construction for years. The standard fat max is all I use. I tried a couple auto locks but the mechanism always seems to break before the tape wears out. Not that the fat max is the best or anything, it just feels like home in my hand. Milwaukee tapes are also very high quality with some better features, but again, it just doesn’t feel great in my hand.

I own three of those Stanley powerlock. Its the only one that has held up to the grit while doing rough-ins.

I loved the Auto-Lock feature for the most part. Except when I'm doing plumbing, then I had a strong lock on the blade for propping up pipe

My biggest issue lately with tapes is the retrieve, I mainly cut pipe and if I stretch the tape out say 10' to measure then mark the pipe with one hand I rely on the tape to recoil without help. I always check the retrieve on them in the store, stretch them out 10' or so and see if they'll come back. That and the hook on the end, it's either too small to grab what you want to measure or it's huge. Oh well have had many fat max and lately millwaukee but I'm probably going to try that nite eyez

I really wanted to like the lufkin nite eye, because it's easier to read, for me, but I kept having the same problem with them. The tape starts getting little kinks in it too quickly, especially near the hook, after so many times retracting the tape from more than, say, 12'. Those little kinks eventually turn into tears, and then you have to buy a new tape. This happened to me two or three times within the span of about six months. I got tired of it, and switched over to the fat max with the autolock. Haven't looked back. It has stood up to daily use really well, almost a year later.

Have so many tape measures as i lose so many. but still have my old 25’ classic metal case Stanley. do like that magnet at the end, but can make my own and compensate. And surprisingly, it was either at at Northern atoll or Harbor Freight where I picked up some tapes and i enjoy the tapes as my wife finds them easy to read. (think they are Pittsburgh. Currently have 3 Milwaukees as i forgot i had them and were on sale or can’t find them. so put one in each bag. my 25’ stays in my big tool box. think the first one I ever bought. And i would favor a Lufkin over the Stanley with that extended reach. thanks for info

I've always used the Stanley Fatman 25' classic. I love them but I go through at least 2-3 each year. Do to extreme use and water, sand, salt air... So yesterday I bought the dewalt tough series 25' to see if it's any better. Fingers crossed. If it's not. It's back to Stanley. 😉

I have a Lufkin Control Series and love it. I actually bought a second the next trip to store.

I'll a tape measure to your list to check out for people that do woodworking, like cabinet construction (not general construction use)... a lay-flat tape... FastCap PMS-FLAT-16. It only does outside measures (a.k.a. pull measures), but lays flat for accurate marking that a curled tape just can't do.

Got an older kobalt that stays out automatically love that design use it all the time

I figured another boring tape video but the title had me intrigued so I watched and it was not at all boring ! I subscribed and if you need a friend I'm there for you ....good job !

I’ve been using the night eyes for about 2 months now and love it.

I'll take 2 of each! Great video as Always. And, And entertaining too!

I am a sign installer and I like the Milwaukee wide blade magnetic tape. It will standout farther than the Stanly fat-max (my old favorite). It is also less likely to “role over” when stood out.

I just bought 4 Stanley Lever locks after Vance recommended them. I like them a lot especially that it locks automatically until you press to retract it. Makes more sense to me…my wife not so much. I keep finding them on the floor unrestricted.

The Stanley Power lock is still me favorite even after buying the Milwaukee $$$ and a few others, Harbor freight (right in the trash) I keep many and use many at once for a boat build.

Does the “night eye” really help any more by having bright registration rather than having a bright background? Seriously, been thinking about that tape just to have on hand, but does it really make a difference?

I've been using the Milwaukee wide blades 16 and 25. And 40'. I prefer the wire belt clip they use since it doesn't wear out my pocket as fast as the traditional belt clips

The machines I work on have galvanized metal grated platforms built around them. I’m always dropping my wrenches through the grates. I only have a Stanley Fatmax with the magnet to retrieve my tools 😂

Thank you the info helps a lot ... Peace

I looked at every one at Lowe's and HD, and I am happy with my pick: Craftsman 16 ft. autolock. Whenever I leave home, I wear a mini-Milwaukee 6 ft. on my belt.

I used a 35' fat max when I framed houses... They have a 12' to 13' stand out... Love those tapes... Dropped them off wallboards 3 stories up straight down on concrete floor...bounced through first floor ceiling joists and landed on a piece of plywood lol... Grabbed my buddies fat max and sent it out and down, hooked my tape case and pulled it up to me ... Called the peon when it first fell and by time he got there I already had it. Lmao

Feature you didnt mention on the lufkin is the hole at the back of the tape you can put a pencil in and use it as a center radius when drawing a circle Huge feature for me. Nice reviews thanks

I've got a Lufkin, looks identical to those got a two pack on clearance for $10.00 mine might not be the g2, as your blade looks diffrent, I hate the blade numbering on mine!! My most favorite tape I've had was a craftsman autolock, (exact same as the Stanley but red)

I've been using the Night Eye for the last couple of years and really like them.

Thank you Clint, You are my Hero. I shall throw away the dollar store tape measure now and buy the Lufkin. Love the vids 👍

I had a Chrome 16’ Stanley FatMax Extreme, (with the highviz yellow tape, not the classic Stanley yellow that the og fatmax has, ) as my every day tape in the industrial plumbing/pipefitter trade, we are notoriously known for destruction of tape measures, we jam them down drains, throw them in dirt and sand, always around obnoxiously heavy objects and are subject to open flame, 9000 rpm grinder discs, and welding slag on a regular occasion, that little chrome 16’ lasted about 9 years, I can’t imagine any tape outliving it’s abuse, I’d buy a case of them if Stanley still made them.

Love my Klein tape measure as an electrician but the fat max 30 ft I keep on my truck for whatever. Also have the crescent nite eye at home along with multiple Milwaukee tapes. But I am waiting for the G2 magnetic 16ft shock force.

Agreed on that fat max autolock. Love it

I love the night eye man it's amazing. during the day too it's a little easier to see

Stanley basic 25ft tape is all I have ever used in 28 years of building homes. I've tried many others but always went back to the old Stanley.

I like the Milwaukee one because it has the fraction numbers. Coming from metric system that is a must for me. Otherwise I have to think. Lowe's also carries a 12 ft one with numbers that I use all the time.

I have the Lufkin Black Tape. I find it easier to read with my eyesight. But my favorite tape measure that I have had and used for over twenty years is the Chomelon Stainless Steel 25 foot.