With the big American brands now being run by MBA bean counters who have never owned an instrument in their lives, all tape measures (and other instruments) have been shipped to China outsourced or whoever will be offering the lowest price this week. This cartridge is made in Japan by people who don't care, and it shows. That's right, the strap doesn't flex in an odd direction (which is typical of a big "American" brand), and I accidentally banged it on the floor a couple of times with no ill effects. quality tool. Bravo.