A retractable leash having a tension strap connected to a safety line that can be releasably fastened to a tethered article. The retractable leash allows freedom of use of the tethered article without the retractable leash impinging any spring force on the tethered article.A retractable leash that employ a series of metal rings, a plastic spacer and a flat sided ball that can rotate in any direction to guide and to prevent tangling of the tension strap and preclude friction from the plastic collar edges. A retractable leash that uses means of a furrow in the spring cup for locking the inner loop of the tension strap from rotating. A retractable leash having an arbor with a flat side for mounting a spring retaining clip thereto and a central bore that keeps debris out of the spring cup in sandy conditions.