small: need a small measuring tool that's small or small.

[luvit]

.
look, man. I need a measuring device that's small.
I want to have it on me at all times and not have it remind me that it's on my waist or in my pocket. I use less than 12 times per week, but I want it with me.

⇾ It *should* measure at least 10ft.
⇾ A tape measure is fairly practical, but the size I prefer doesn't give a rigid enough tape to measure 10-12ft by myself.
⇾ I measure plush furniture & fancy case-goods -- there is no real edge for the hook of the tape to grab.

i want a measuring device that's small and manageable by myself -- how small is small??
my cell phone is the size of a credit card.
my wallet/moneyclip is a tension paperclip.
my multitool knife as big as a key, this is important because it opens beer bottles.
i don't carry key fobs or my iginition key, i only carry the door key in my wallet thing.

i also being issued an android tablet, if that gives any ideas, but i'll only want the minimal protection for it, and not some tablet man bag.
I do a lot of squatting and rolling around on the floor, I like my belt and pockets to feel empty.
thanks so much for your input.
.

 

[bczygan]

Electronic?

Mini laser pen measure?
https://www.google.com/search?newwindow=1&biw=1068&bih=434&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=mini+laser+pen+measure&oq=mini+laser+pen+measure&gs_l=img.3...56279.57109.0.58776.3.3.0.0.0.0.167.368.1j2.3.0....0...1c.1.64.img..0.0.0.7hUCttIr0Bg

 

[Evilunclegrimace]

Try using one of the cow lips in your post and clamp the end of your pocket tape down and you could get by with a fairly small tape

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

A fabric tape and a pin?

 

[Ducatisoc]

Have a look at http://ikegps.com/spike/

That might be useful.

 

[pendragon1998]

Man, it's tough fitting everything in your skinny jeans, ain't it?

 

[Jim Diesel]

Man, it's tough fitting everything in your skinny jeans, ain't it?

 

[GSMotorrad]

Not meeting all your requirements, but I have to praise my tiny (small) Stanley 6' Fat Max keychain tape measure. It's small. Way smaller than it looks on screens. If I put my pinky through the keychain, the entire rig spans my palm. It's $3. The tape is W-I-D-E, compared to similar tapes trying to be small.

I bought it as a joke, because it was so cheap, but ended up carrying it around in bliss.

Don't take my words for it, read the raving reviews. It's good stuff.

It's small though.

 

[Ghost11]

How about tire tape? Used to measure tires at racetrack. Measures maybe 1.5"x1.5"x.25". Ill find a picture.

 

[Ghost11]

Hows this

 

[Ghost11]

This one goes out to 10feet, ive seen some out to 15ft.

 

[chornback]

Man, it's tough fitting everything in your skinny jeans, ain't it?

 

[luvit]

Have a look at http://ikegps.com/spike/

that's very interesting. however, i think that process will be slower than fighting a skinny & limp tape measure.

Originally Posted by bczygan: Mini laser pen measure?
Originally Posted by Ole Slewfoot: A fabric tape and a pin?

Originally Posted by Evilunclegrimace: Try using one of the cow lips in your post and clamp the end of your pocket tape down and you could get by with a fairly small tape

I'll consider this cowlips idea 2nd. It's a good idea, quite practical for cloth items, but not leather or wood.(i added some clarity to my OP)

I have to praise my tiny Stanley 6' Fat Max

this looks good for one handed measuring, but since my arm span is 6' like this Fat Max, i don't struggle with limp tapes until I reach about 7' or 8'.

How about tire tape?

this looks similar to tapes where i struggle with rigidness beyond 7ft. But the fact that I use it for several minutes a week and it's on my person for 50 hours, may make this the winner.

My considerations may be difficult to explain, I was hoping for an item i'm not familiar with, perhaps new "technology" in manufacturing rigid tapes. I do a lot of squatting and rolling around on the floor, I like my belt and pockets to feel empty.

I'm still open for ideas and products.
.

 

[matt stott]

Has anyone tried the BMI quicky tape? I have never seen one in the wild, but they certainly look cool- and come close to fitting your criteria. They have a 2m and 3m version- marked in inches and mm.

Matt

(a video i found- not related or endorsing in any way, just to give an idea of how it works).

 

[Ghost11]

The tire tape i use isnt very rigid, its meant to measure circumference. But its a start.

 

[creativecars]

I like my belt and pockets to feel empty.

I'm still open for ideas and products.
.

If you can't find the measuring tool, this may help??

 

[ejkuhl]

I carry multiple measuring devices on me at all times.

- 6 foot fingertip to fingertip
- 12 inch shoe
- 3 foot medium walking gait
- 9 inch palm to fingertip

And i do use these quite often

 

[ricleh]

Has anyone tried the BMI quicky tape? I have never seen one in the wild, but they certainly look cool- and come close to fitting your criteria. They have a 2m and 3m version- marked in inches and mm.

I have a couple of the 3 meter BMI quicky tapes. I really like them. Very small and also very rigid. They come with a belt clip, but I just put mine in my pocket.

 

[ez-duzit]

Teach yourself to use the narrow, limp tape. Been carrying the 10' Lufkin for decades. Don't expect it to behave like a full-size one.

 

[Voi]

I carried a 10' x 1" tape measure for years. Loved it for its compact size yet rigid tape.

I've heard these are small and fairly rigid but I've never seen one.

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=32565&cat=1,43513

 

[luvit]

yesterday i ordered the 3m BMI Quickly. it doesn't appear to meet my pipedream specs, but it may be a good trade-off compared to the one i have which resembles a tire tape.

for the guys who have mentioned clothing garments, your treasured trade-secret, you can keep them.
i'll still be interested in hearing about other small or unique measuring devices.