paid £21 for one of these tapes about 18months ago and it is ready for the bin, the finish is peeling of the tape. i have not really used it outside much yet you would think i had been using it in a swimming pool. i have one of the older fatmax tapes that is about 5 years old and it is in great codition compared to the new one

I’ve had many different brands of tape measures either from them breaking or just going missing (or wondering hands) but i must say the new Stanley fat max xtreme tape measure is a fantastic bit of kit. Starting with the 32mm wide blade now i no it’s not just me but i just wish someone would have thought of this sooner o the simple things in life make working so much easier. When needing that extra person to hold the end of your tape is no longer with the blade being so wide you can hook on for argument sake a timber stud with its rounded edges pull the tape out with the numbers touching your material for easy marking, unlike standard tape measures where you have to have the back of the rule touching otherwise you risk the blade falling off at the other end because of it slipping on the rounded edge of the stud.

This tape also boasts a 4m stand out in other words when you’re on your tea break and trying to have bets with your mates on who’s can be pulled out the most without it snapping and come crashing to the floor, this will easily beat them all by many metres to spare guaranteed. But back to reality or the working world this makes the tape rule itself very strong and will easily hold itself when pulled out across an 8m wall with minimal sagging in the rule itself making your work more accurate.

other features include 3-rivet tru-zero hook gives extra strength and prevents breakage on rewind and stopping the tape becoming inaccurate. Heavy-duty, slip-resistant case with easy-grip rubber moulding and patented airlock slide lock for easy locking.

All in all out of 5 stars:

Value for money: 4.5 (could be a little cheaper but still very good value)

Build quality: 5 (Me and another couple of guys own these and have done for a month or 2 and still solid with no missing parts after one being dropped from a ladder at about first floor height)

Ease of use: 4.5 (Great new blade design making life a lot easier over long span measuring slight downfall is it is quite heavy so when on you belt or in pocket be sure to do your belt up a notch ;-) but if that’s what it takes to get a robust tape them so be it)

Overall score: 5 (Does everything it promises, very accurate, solid engineering and still looks new win win)

Top Tip: Much agreed make sure you have steel toe caps on when you drop this on your foot ;-)

FatMax XTreme 8 m, metric only, black & silver model. Wt 591 g Confirm 4 m standout. Well built and robust tape. Spoiled by marks on tape face during manufacture. Some on the graduations. I make many "inside" measurements and rely on tape reading plus case length. Oddly, on metric only model, case length stamped 3 3/8 inches! Would like to suggest on future models, take advantage of 32 mm blade width and print numbers in larger font at right angles to tape face. Should make easier to read.

Top Tip: Don't drop on your foot!

Never caused me any problems had it 3 years. Handy and fits in my toolbox nicely. Good weight.

Does the job. 8m is great, Xtreme model. Looking forward to the Xtreme stand out.