Komelon SL2812; 12' x 5/8" Self-Lock Tape Measure

I am very particular about my tape measures. I use them a lot and when the marks and numbers wear out at the short end of the tape, it has to go. Over the decades I have purchased several of the Komelon SL2812. Cabinetry work requires constant access to a good tape measure. Most ceilings I work with are less than 10 feet. Why carry an unnecessary heavy 16 footer, or worse 25 footer, when you never use it?What makes this tape measure valuable is the 5/8" width at 12 feet. Almost all tape measures shrink to 1/2" width below 16 feet. That 1/8" provides greater visibility, but also much longer free hand reach without buckling.At age 70, I am grateful that I gave up carrying a heavy tape measure decades ago. The weight on your body is cumulative. Save your back and carry the smallest functional tape measure necessary.

My old tape measure died after about 30 years and was forced to purchase a new one. There’s so many other in the market making it difficult to decide which one to select. Based on the reviews I ordered this one. It arrived promptly. I was so impressed! This is an extremely high-quality tape measure, It is so worth the price, you can’t go wrong with this tape measure.

I have used these tape measures for many years. Love the self locking feature. Cannot find the green version in the stores anymore, so I have been ordering them from Amazon. This time I was sent the wrong model (Model pictured is green SL2812. Model received was yellow L4812HV). I returned as wrong model and requested a replacement from the original vendor. Received a replacement and it was the same wrong model. Requested a refund and ordered from a different vendor. Success! Received the correct model.

Selflock mechanism failed soon after using.

The media could not be loaded. Bought 2 of these because we've had one from this Komelon brand for years that worked great, but eventually broke. Got 2 specifically of the same brand since we were so happy with the old one. These 2 are both junk. From the start the self-locking feature didn't work well. Kept thinking it was just a fluke that they'd slowly give way and retract without depressing the button. Since we were busy on a project and needed them, we didn't return them and should have. The unintended retraction just got worse and worse. Instead of taking a minute to slowly start retracting, they've gotten faster and faster at retracting back into the holder. 6 months later they work about as well as a regular tape measure, retracting instantly and there's no way to stop them. Pressing the button just speeds the retraction if course. Both of these bought on the same Amazon order are doing the same. Both garbage!! Will move in to a different brand at this point.

ProsSelf Lock mechanism (this is awesome) - can be operated with one hand.Nylon coated blade - more durable and less likely to cut your hand.Rubber grip - comfortable and easy to hold.ConsMeasurements printed on one side only (most tapes are also one-sided)No dual imperial/metric units.I originally purchased this tape measure thinking that Self Lock might be useful, but probably overrated. What a surprise. It was immensely useful. There is no longer the need to manually lock the tape in position every time it is pulled out. If the tape is attached to my belt, it can also be operated with one hand. Rubber grip surrounds and protects the body while making it comfortable to hold and easy to use. The rubber is also on the opening to act as a buffer protecting it from rewinding forces. Pressing and holding the button will rewind the tape, although I would recommend gradually guiding the tape back by hand. The nylon coated blade will not cut your fingers. The green accents are interesting, distinguishing itself from all the other yellow tape measures.5/8-in. width tape allows it to be lightweight and compact. However, the short-width tape begins to sag at 3 ft., and collapses at ~5.5 ft. Komelon offers .75 and 1 in. widths with their longer tapes if needed. The measurements are only printed on one side in case anyone find themselves in a situation where they need the other side, although this is intentionally a one-sided tape so it is not really a con. It is too bad Komelon's Self Lock series does not offer dual imperial/metric units. This would double their usefulness.The Self Lock mechanism makes this an excellent tape measure and a pleasure to use. I also have a basic non-Self Lock Komelon with imperial/metric units, and keep coming back to this one even though it lacks metric units. Now that I am spoiled by Self Lock, I don't think I will ever go back to manually operated tape measures again.

Very good!

[This is not a review]This tape measure is not the Komelon green, nor Komelon yellow. instead, shape and details look like the picture included [mine is 12 feet], slightly thicker construction. Though color wise, it is more lemon-lime, an interesting color, for certain. Keeping it, as happy with it, despite differences.