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In-depth review

Komelon Contractor TS 25 ft Tape Measure (93425) Review (2027)

The Contractor TS 93425 offers a 1.25 inch blade with backside printing at a mid price. Our research-based verdict for value wide-tape buyers.

TGBy TrueGear Research TeamIndependent editorial teamLast updated How we researchResearch-based assessment · Measuring Tapes
Specs verified against manufacturer docs
No paid placements
Independently funded by readers
Updated 2026-11-02
Komelon Contractor TS 25 ft Tape Measure (93425) Review (2027) featured graphic
Komelon Contractor TS 25 ft Tape Measure (93425)

Komelon Contractor TS 25 ft Tape Measure (93425)

A wide-blade contractor tape with backside printing at a working price.

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Our verdict

The Contractor TS is the value argument in wide tapes: a 1.25 inch blade, backside printing for overhead work, and a manual lock that simply works, at a mid price. It lacks the badge familiarity of Stanley and Milwaukee, and its lock is old-fashioned rather than clever. But for contractors who wear tapes out and replace them regularly, it delivers most of the premium wide-tape experience for less money.

What we like

  • A 1.25 inch wide blade that gives wide-tape rigidity for solo spans
  • Backside printing, so vertical and overhead measurements read from below
  • A manual lock that holds the blade positively once set
  • A polycarbonate case with a rubberised feel that grips in gloved hands

What to watch out for

  • Brand recognition on a crew is lower than Stanley or Milwaukee, so resale and replacement familiarity lag
  • The manual lock demands a deliberate thumb motion that self-lock fans find old-fashioned
  • The case is chunkier than the classic 1 inch tapes for pocket carry

What owners report: Komelon Contractor TS 25 ft Tape Measure (93425)

Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.

Most praised

  • The backside print turns overhead joist measurements from a squint into a straight read
  • Owners comparing it with premium wide tapes say the rigidity is close enough that the saving feels real
  • The case texture keeps it in hand on dusty framing days when smooth cases slip

Common complaints

  • The manual lock feels like a step back to owners spoiled by self-locking tapes
  • Replacement on a distant jobsite is harder because fewer suppliers stock this exact model
  • The wide case prints a rectangular outline in lighter trouser pockets all day

Who it is for

Contractors and serious DIYers who want wide-blade performance and replace tapes often enough for price to matter.

Wide blade, working price

The 1.25 inch blade gives this tape the rigidity that defines the wide class: solo spans hold, pencil lines stay steady, and re-measures drop. Backside printing adds the overhead benefit that used to be a premium feature. Together they make a tape that behaves like its more expensive rivals on the measurements that matter, which is the whole value proposition.

A straightforward lock

The manual slide lock is not clever, and that is arguably a virtue on a contractor tape: there is nothing to learn, nothing to wear out in a novel way, and gloved operation is natural. Self-lock fans will miss the hands-free hold, but a manual lock that holds positively is a known, reliable quantity on a site.

The brand familiarity gap

Komelon is less familiar on North American crews than Stanley or Milwaukee, which shows up in two places: fewer suppliers stock this exact model for emergency replacement, and borrowers do not already know it. Neither matters much to an owner who buys deliberately, but both matter to a crew that standardises by grabbing whatever the supplier has.

Key specifications

Length
25 ft
Blade width
1.25 in
Blade print
Backside printing, per listing
Lock
Manual slide lock
Model
93425

Also consider

Research-based assessment. TrueGear has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.

Questions, answered

Is the Contractor TS as tough as a FatMax?

On blade rigidity and everyday site use, owners report it close. On long-term durability and parts familiarity, the FatMax has the deeper track record. For a tape replaced yearly, the difference is academic.

Does backside printing really help?

For overhead and vertical measurements, yes: reading from below without flipping the tape saves neck strain and misreads. For flat floor measurements it makes no difference at all.

Why is it cheaper than premium wide tapes?

Brand positioning and simpler lock design, not a shorter blade or thinner steel. Komelon's value lines have long competed on that basis, and this model follows the pattern.

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