Tools TK12E Tape Measure, 3/4-Inch Wide by 12-Feet Long

First and foremost, holding this tape in your hand, you can feel the absolute quality ooze from it. The tolerances and quality are extremely controlled, and it shows. Since they provide only one photo, there's a good bit you may not know until you have this in your hand. See my pics for the thousands of words replaced.In many ways, it is nothing like a traditional Stanley or clone you are probably used to. It has a detachable belt clip. This and the exactness of the graduations are what this brand is known for. That said, it's still not as simple as may be thinking. It hangs 90° off from level with the blade extending straight down. Not a huge deal by any means, but if you're a "measure from the hip" person, you will have to adjust to pulling the blade down then forward. Removing the tape from the belt clip requires some learned technique. It needs to be firmly belt mounted, not clipped to a pocket, and you depress a button with your thumb whilst rotating the tape forward. Replacing it back on the clip with one hand is an even more adapted skill. After some practice and a brief break-in period, it gets much easier. If you're a "pocket clipper" like me, just leave the clip attached and get used to a slightly different draw.The blade is of incredible quality, but seems a bit thin. Now admittedly, this may be due to my extensive use of FatMax tapes over the last few years. I can't tell you exactly how this this blade is versus another, but I wouldn't count on more than a 5 foot standout. Keep this in mind if you are one who gestures to things with your tape measure. The no-glare feature is especially nice for sunny day use. For the three of you in the world that use it, the Fisco also has the "black diamond" marks, but they are graphically replaced with a small arrow with a 'T' inside it.Now as far as extending and retracting, it's as smooth as whatever your most smooth metaphor here could be. It winds fast, but never feels like it's going to go out of control and have the blade go flying about. If you've ever had a cheap tape measure snap back at you, you will appreciate this. It fully retracts nice and firmly, but doesn't "slam" closed like many others, even from full extension.For rough and tough framing and general construction, you may want to test drive this before making it your go-to. For finish carpentry, cabinet/furniture making, flooring, and other more exacting activities, you'd be hard pressed to beat this. I plan on sticking with my trusty 16' FatMax for cutting and framing, but once I go inside, this is my new favorite. My only real complaint is that the end doesn't have the slot in it for hooking to a screw/nail head. If you have never needed this feature, you'll be just fine.

Ok I hoped that it was smaller.