Stanley’s new LeverLock tape measures feature a squeeze-lock design. Or rather, it’s a squeeze-unlock design. Squeeze the lever at the bottom of the tape measure to release the tape, and let go to lock the blade in place.
The push-release self-locking mechanism helps to control blade retraction, and can be faster to use for quick measurements. Instead of having to reposition your thumb to lock and unlock the tape measure blade, you simply squeeze or relax your hand.
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These new Stanley LeverLock tape measures also have a write-on label that’s meant to be used with carpenter pencils.
Additional features include a stronger anti-glare blade, non-marring frictionless base, and heavy duty housing.
25′ x 1″ tapes have 7 feet of standout, and the 16′ x 3/4″ tape has 5 feet of standout.
Stanley LeverLock Sizes and Styles
- 25′ x 1″ center read tape STHT30758L
- 25′ x 1″ engineer’s read tape STHT30759L
- 25′ x 1″ (standard) tape STHT30825
- 25′ x 1″ magnetic tip STHT33281
- 16′ x 3/4″ tape STHT30812
- 12′ x 1/2″ tape STHT30810
- 30′ x 1″ tape STHT30830
Pricing: $8+
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
More Info(via Stanley)
Closest Competitor: Lufkin Auto-Lock tape measure ($9 at Amazon)
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First Thoughts
I cannot say I recall ever trying the original Stanley LeverLock tape measures, but I have used similar squeeze-lock/unlock tapes before. They’re convenient for making a lot of quick measurements, but they’re not exclusive for that type of use. With these types of tapes, you either love ’em, or you don’t.
The new LeverLock tapes look to be a solid update. They’re still basic tape measures, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
The good news is that these tapes are inexpensive. The 16′ tape, 25′ tape, and 25′ tape with magnetic tip are currently $10 to $13 on Amazon.
Home Depot’s LeverLock tape selection is slim right now, but they’re offering the 25′ center scale tape for just $8. Not everyone needs a center scale tape, but center scale tapes and rules can be useful for quickly splitting measurements without having to do math.
The bad news is that these tapes only offer 7′ of standout. On the other hand, that’s plenty for a lot of users. When I reviewed Stanley’s PowerLock tape measure 6 years ago (wow, has it really been that long?), it was one of the better tape measures I’ve used. Since then, I’ve bought a couple of better Milwaukee tape measures (here’s my video review) and used a bunch of others. But I still like using that Stanley PowerLock, and the second one that I bought in more recent years. The short standout doesn’t really bother me.
If you want longer standout, there are better tape measures out there, such as from Milwaukee, Dewalt, and Stanley as well.
See Also: Milwaukee vs. Dewalt tape measure comparison review
These look to be decent tapes, especially at the $10-15 price points for the 16′ and 25′ models.
We knew the new tapes were coming, ever since seeing them as part of Stanley’s 2013 logo redesign, but didn’t think it would take so long for the new tapes to hit the market.
Want more than these tapes offer? The Stanley Auto Lock tape measure doesn’t have a squeeze release, but it does have dual auto-locking and slide lock functionality. It also offers greater standout and more premium features, such as a detachable large hook. The 25 footer is $25, and Stanley recently launched 16′ and 30′ sizes.
While we’re on the subject, are you a fan of squeeze-lock or auto-lock tapes? At the prices these LeverLock tapes are selling for, I might be easily convinced to buy one.
Jerry
If they went back to their original design of lock, I may have to get one. My all time favorite tape was an old Craftsman clone of the original Leverlock I got 20+ years ago. If you haven’t used a Leverlock much, you probably haven’t gotten familiar with their best (to me) feature, which is the auto lock blade, and super easy unlock to retract. When in use, you hook the end to the end of the board you are working on, and slide the tape backwards a little farther than where you want the mark. When you realize you left your pencil at the other end of your workbench, you simply let go of the measure, and it stays upright, just where you left it. After making your mark, all it takes is a little jiggle to disengage the hook, and a press downward on the tape measure body, to retract the blade, leaving the tape on the board. Also, you can just grab the measure, and squeeze so it retracts. In my experience, it was the best tape measure for my uses. Stanley did a redesign which I didn’t care much for. Here’s to hoping they got the re-redesign right.
Benjamen
Is this the one?
http://c.shld.net/rpx/i/s/i/spin/image/spin_prod_209581301?wid=800&hei=800&op_sharpen=1
I bought two when they were sold about 14 years ago. I’ve always thought that standard tape measures were backwards. Why do you have to perform an extra step to lock it? The default should be for the tape to stay where you pulled it out.
I’d have to handle it first, but I’d think about one of these Stanleys if it had a wire clip instead of a spring metal clip.
Jerry
Mine had the chrome plated body. The self locking feature worked perfectly for 2 blades and probably 10 years. Almost cried a little when a co worker ran it over and crushed it.
Les Garten
^^^^This^^^^^^
I have an old lever lock like this. I have bought some of the newer “updates” the last few years but like the original the best. Unfortunately the blade had a plasticoat on it and it is in bad shape which has allowed rust to form on the blade where it’s torn off. I would buy a NOS version of my first one if I could. I still reach for it first, but it’s getting sad looking.
Brian
I have the Komelon self locking speed mark.
Its a nice tape measure… and I like the concept… but it has a problem.
It has no manual lock. The auto lock is not quite a “lock”, infact over the past 18 months of light hobbyist use, its become much looser. I find that it will sometimes slowly retract in the right circumstances. Forget about trying to push it into a corner. you gotta get your chopstick grip on where you grab the tape for the leverage required.
If they put a manual lock on top of the autolock, for those times when you REALLY dont want it to move. Id be upgrading.
Gary T.
Actually they where on the market last year. Home depot had packs of 25′ and 12′ on sale around Christmas 2013. I think I only paid around $9 for both when I saw them.
Toolfreak
Target has had this new style for over a year as well, and they have slowly been appearing in Sears stores.
I guess the online vendors didn’t replace their stock with the new style in hopes of selling out of the old style first, or they just didn’t update their images.
Jon
Yep. I got the 25′ and 16′ two-pack for $7 in the weeks after Christmas 2013 when they always put so many great tools on clearance. Since then the 16′ has been my daily use tape in the shop and for drywall jobs, and the 25′ is my go-to for almost everything else. Between the auto-locking tape and the magnetic belt clip (I don’t recall the manufacturer and I’m too lazy to get up and check it again; bought it at HD, and I’ve seen it at Lowe’s) my tape measure use is more convenient and rapid than ever before.
ChicagoTom
I got one of these (25′ I think) in a cheap combo pack at Menard’s black Friday (with a multibit screwdriver I don’t much care for and something else which is escaping me). I like it a good bit more than the previous version of their Leverlock I have — seems to stand up with a bit more stability. Also less boxy and feels better in the hand.
Clearly not as durable and missing the standout of the Fat Max which I’m also a fan up, but I do like the lever lock feature a lot when I’m doing a lot of measurements in the shop and standout doesn’t matter.
Seb
Call me old ashioned but i m a big fan of the classic stanley powerlock. Got three of them and i m so used to them that i m not attracted to testing another onem but that might just be me
ktash
I have the old 25′ one and like it better than other tape measures if I’m doing a lot of large measurements. I tried the shorter 16′ auto locking Komelon and liked it but the locking mechanism no longer works properly–in less than a year of light use. I wouldn’t buy a komelon again. I’ll probably get a shorter stanley. Sometimes the center read feature is handy, too.
alan
Stuey –
THIS OCD needs to admit/confess. I have about at least a bakers dozen of the original leverlocks in my stash, brand new unused.
I have various fat mazes and such when I need the standout.
But my go to is the Leverlock – the original green ones. I don’t know what it is or why, but they are my go to measuring tape. Fits my hand like a glove, retract, etc.
Brandon
Never heard of the center point tape before. Don’t think I would like it, personally, but I can see where it would be handy for math-challenged folks.
I hate lever lock tapes. My go-to tape is the Stanley Powerlock. I have big enough hands that I can lock and unlock the tape with my thumb as needed. However, I don’t generally lock it, I just use my index finger under the blade to keep it from retracting.
Benjamen
I handled one in Home Depot and I’m not impressed. First the lever lock doesn’t work. You squeeze the lever and pull out the tape, then squeeze the lever to retract the tape and it doesn’t consistently retract. Sometimes it retracts properly, sometimes nothing happens.
It seems to be related to how hard you squeeze: Not hard enough nothing happens…just right tape retracts, too hard tape won’t retract…WHAT??!?!? That’s screwy.
Second, I’m not a fan of the metal tape either, it seems flimsy. I can see why it has no standout. I’d rather have a stiffer tape for conventional use or a flat, non-springy tape for some shop measurements. but there isn’t a middle ground.
Benjamen
OK, I’m a little dense sometimes. My comments above must be for the old version, but that’s all that Home Depot had, I just assumed they were a different model.
I played with the REDESIGNED LeverLock today and the lever locking action is 100% better than the one I played with yesterday. It actually retracts when you squeeze, no matter how hard you squeeze.
The I’m still not a fan of the metal tape. It’s thicker but still to thin and the model I played with was really busy covered in fractions.
Rick
I recently bought a CLC belt bag and only a smaller tape will fit. After modifying the tape holder in it, my 16′ leverlock with the clip removed can be used while still in the bag tape holder although it’s further down my leg than a dedicated tape holder at belt-level.
I have several powerlock/similar tapes as go-to’s for construction etc. The leverlocks are easier to feather the return to prevent whipping while retracting though. If I had one wish to pass on to a mfr for any tape it would be to have some sort of auto soft stop rather than just slamming home.
chris v
I agree with the comments about the tape slipping- its very frustrating. At least the tapes with a true lock will stay put.
I’ve taken it apart, seems like the culprit is just the spring losing its tension. I wonder if a replacement spring would do the trick?
Still, one shouldn’t have to mess with the internals. Do better design testing Stanley.
Brian S.
We currently use a half a dozen of the 16′ LeverLock tapes in my shop. For years I used Stanley’s all metal tapes with great results but these new generation tapes wear the tick marks off the edges way too fast! Has anyone else had the issue of the painted lines disappearing right along the edges or is it just me? I know I’ll be trying another brand with my next purchase.
JRMD
Yep, the lock wears the lines off. If they could put the ‘drag’ in the center it would be a winner.
Connie Murray
I am an around the house project guy. I bought the 25 foot LeverLock model a couple of years back. The lever lock mechanism no longer works. I took the tape apart, the spring looks good, and the plastic it sits around is not broken. I am a fan of Stanley products in general but not this one. I will probably try a different brand before I tackle my next project