Ox Tools Pro Tuff Blade Tape Measure Review OX

As a premium tape measure, Ox Tools did a nice job with the design of their Pro Tuff Blade tape measure. While the visibility can use some improvement, the durability is outstanding and it's a smooth operating tape that's comfortable to use.

Tape measures are a staple in everyone's toolbox from the most seasoned Pro to the greenest DIYer and range in both price and length. But are all tape measures created equally? Certainly not. The OX Tools Pro Tuff Blade tape measure targets the premium end of the spectrum and we wanted to know if it's worth spending extra on it.

Ox Tools did a nice job with the overall design of this tape. Four screws hold the casing together (the 5th in the center just holds the clip). A generous layer of overmold covers nearly every vulnerable point.

Then there's the nylon coating on the blade. It extends the entire length to protect it, though there's no additional protection on the section closest to the hook as we see on some models. Still, it offers excellent wear resistance. It creased when we folded the blade over and stepped on it, it took a couple of tries before the blade finally cracked. Most tapes we test crack immediately.

A total of four rivets hold the hook on and we’re pretty confident it's not going anywhere.

If there's a downside, it's that the belt clip is on the weaker side. It's very similar in strength to most clips and can benefit from some thickening up or a move to steel wire. As I dropped it onto concrete from 10 feet, the clip is all that took damage. Even chucking it in the air as high as we could didn't result in anything more than scuffing the exterior.

In our tests, the OX Tools Pro Tuff Blade tape measure has a pretty impressive standout 13 feet and a reach of 15 feet if you’re careful.

Some people like to ease their tape blade out, others like to throw it in one shot. We like to see at least 8 feet (96 inches) to help us deal with sheet materials and we were able to consistently get just over that (98 inches).

The revamped tape measure features a large hook with dual magnets and 6 pounds of resistance. This allowed us to extend the tape measure all the way out to 25 feet with the hook stuck to one of our tool boxes in the shop. Not many magnetic tape measures have that kind of strength.

The last Ox tape measure we reviewed had an interesting oversize hook in the shape of an ox coming at you. While it was clever, we appreciate Ox's rethinking of that design. It's still a little larger than most, but it offers an excellent grab from any direction.

There's not a whole lot that's groundbreaking in the visibility category for this Ox Tools tape measure. It has standard black marking on yellow tape that offers some contrast, but the yellow is a bit paler and the black is a little faded so the color doesn't pop as much as other brands. For those of us closer to 50 years old than 30, it makes a difference.

One nice design choice by OX was to print numbers and markings on both sides of the blade giving you more options when making measurements.

This tape measure retails for $19.98 at your local Lowe's. It originally retailed for $29.98, and this $10 price drop makes it a whole lot more attractive. Ox backs it with a 90-day limited warranty.

As a premium tape measure, Ox Tools did a nice job with the design of their Pro Tuff Blade tape measure. While the visibility can use some improvement, the durability is outstanding and it's a smooth operating tape that's comfortable to use.

To browse the entire OX Tools lineup, click here.