Bottom line: The Crescent Lufkin 25-Ft. Command Control Tape Measure brings value, build quality, and versatility in spades. The standout features are its ergonomics and self-retraction mechanism. We’re comfortable recommending it for projects around the house and on the job site.
- Strong self-retraction
- Smooth sliding lock
- Great ergonomics
- Includes a finger brake
- Poor blade durability
MORE >> DIY Gear Reviews’ best tape measures
Crescent Lufkin 25-Ft. Command Control Tape Measure review
| Weight | 458 grams |
| Length | 25 feet (available in both an engineer and a SAE measurement scale) |
| Blade width | 1 3/16 inches |
| Standout | 12 feet |
| Housing | Plastic and rubber |
| Warranty | Lifetime |
Ergonomics
The Crescent Lufkin 25-Ft. Command Control Tape Measure sits in the hand better than many other tape measures we tested. While the profile is a bit taller than other popular models, this hand tool’s narrower body and strategically molded, grippy housing fit well into the contours of your palm.
The belt clip also adds to the tape measure’s ease of one-handed use. You can easily slide the hook onto a wide array of material thicknesses without looking. This helps for efficiency when you’re not needing to use two hands to hook the tape measure onto your pocket or tool belt.
The blade
The Crescent Lufkin 25-Ft. Command Control Tape Measure has one of the more unique blades of the models we tested. Pull out the blade for the first time, and you immediately notice the matte finish that gives you a sense of quality craftsmanship. The blade also has a deep concave design that adds to its long standout of 12 feet in our tests.
| Hook style | 360-degree hook |
| Blade markings | 1/16” and 10ths & 100ths of a foot |
| Blade durability (poor, good, great) | Poor |
| Blade protection | Matte nylon coating |
Hook style
The Crescent Lufkin 25-Ft. Command Control Tape Measure has a 360-degree hook that latches the hook onto a workpiece in any orientation. You shouldn’t worry about frustrating instances where the hook keeps detaching from the edge of the measured item.
MORE >> How to use a tape measure
Blade markings
The blade of the Crescent Lufkin 25-Ft. Command Control Tape Measure includes two measurement scales for the engineer’s model. The bottom edge has a standard feet and inches scale while the top edge lays out measurements on a scale of 10ths and 100ths of a foot.
Consider, though, that the engineer models’ blade doesn’t include standard stud markings every 16 inches and a diamond every 19.2 inches. But Crescent does offer the same tape measure with a standard SAE measurement scale that does include stud markings.
MORE >> How to read a tape measure
Blade durability
While the Crescent Lufkin 25-Ft. Command Control Tape Measure does have a nylon coating, the blade performed poorly in our durability tests. In fact, other tested tape measures with similar nylon coatings fared much better than this model, including the Craftsman Pro Reach 25-Ft. Magnetic Tape Measure and the Klein Tools 25-Ft. Double Hook Magnetic Tape Measure.
The paint on the tape of the Crescent Lufkin 25-Ft. Command Control Tape Measure quickly succumbed to the abrasiveness of a dowel wrapped with 150-grit sandpaper and rubbing the blade for a few seconds. While regular use won’t be as severe as our tests, it is worth considering that this model will experience more visible wear and tear than other tape measures tested.
Self-retraction strength
While the blade durability of the Crescent Lufkin 25-Ft. Command Control Tape Measure performed poorly, the opposite is true for this model’s self-retraction mechanism – it’s the best performing out of the bunch. The tape measure feels like it will fly out of your hand even when retracting the blade from a few feet out.
The blade also retracts well without assistance over longer lengths and on surfaces with different amounts of friction, even when holding the tape measure at hip height.
Sliding lock
The sliding lock mechanism is good enough for one-handed use. The short travel makes it a cinch to lock and unlock the blade with one hand and thumb, and it is smooth to set.
The molded rails that protect the sliding lock are one thoughtful design element that should add some longevity and durability. Dropping the Crescent Lufkin 25-Ft. Command Control Tape Measure shouldn’t damage the button at all.
One nice design feature as well is the inclusion of a finger brake on the underside of the tape measure’s housing. This not only improves the ergonomics for one-handed use when not needing to use the sliding lock but also helps moderate the speed of the powerful retraction mechanism.
Accuracy
The Crescent Lufkin 25-Ft. Command Control Tape Measure was dead on accurate out of the box to within our tested tolerance of 1/32 of an inch. The floating hook is also loosely attached to the blade, so measurements should be consistently accurate, which could make this tape measure a good option for woodworking.
Value
It’s surprising how a well-built tape measure with such great versatility can be found for under $20. The value offered with the Crescent Lufkin 25-Ft. Command Control Tape Measure is among the best we’ve found on the market. Most other popular tape measures offer less versatility and worse build quality at this price point.
FAQs
Yes, Crescent Tools tape measures include a limited lifetime warranty covering workmanship defects. General misuse and abuse (yep, if you drop it off the roof, for example) is not covered under warranty. Just return the tape measure to where it was purchased or call (800)-688-8949.
Most Crescent Tools measuring devices, including tape measures, are made in the U.S.A.
The Crescent Lufkin Tape Measure is durable enough for rugged use on the job site. Its housing is well protected and can survive bigger drops. But the tape measures blade isn’t as durable, at least according to our abrasion tests.
I have a shock force crescent Lufkin, 25 foot the tape is broken at the 2 1/4 inch mark can a replacement be sent
Hi Jeffery, You will want to reach out to Crescent to see if it can be submitted for a warranty. We are unaffiliated with the company, but here’s a link you may find useful. https://www.crescenttool.com/support/warranty