I have a small, about 5 inch long, one that is metal and some 40 years old. Your 10 inch gauge is super compared to the dinosaur metal one.
The only issue I have, a gauge is a quality instrument or tool and cannot take a lot of abuse. Ideally your gauge should have come with a protective case and for the price I expected it to. What a disappointment. I bought two, one for myself and one for my son-in-law who does residential remodeling, who will use the heck out of it. I made him a case for hi...