Very Nice, But A Missed Opportunity
By: Bill James (Dec, 2022)
I want very much to treat myself to this rule (probably English/English, but possibly English/Metric), as a small rule is an always-used tool in my furniture making, but I think you've missed a couple of opportunities in the rule's current design.
First, I completely agree with and applaud your elimination of 64ths for all of the reasons that you state in the description. Where I think that you've missed an opportunity is in making the back/reverse side of the English/English rule exactly like the front side (I can't tell if you've put end graduations on the reverse at the 1" end, as the photos are cut off). Since I suspect that many of your purchasers will be using this rule for woodworking, as opposed to drafting/drawing, I believe that the scale on the reverse should be laid out as a right-to-left 1" to 6" scale with 1/32 graduations, opposite from the "normal" left-to-right scale that is currently used on BOTH sides. There are many situations where having a right-to-left scale is helpful, often while taking some "inside" measurement where one end of the rule is up against an obstacle. While I recognize that I could use the non-coved side of the rule to get the right-to-left scale that I'm looking for, that kind of defeats the whole purpose of this otherwise beautiful rule, not to mention the lack of fine enough gradations (see next paragraph).
I also think that the choice to have a 1/8 scale on the non-coved edges of the rule also misses the point in what one is likely measuring with a short rule. Perhaps I'm not recognizing a need for a 1/8 scale, but certainly we don't need two of them and one could have easily been graduated in 1/16ths, especially if the designer's intent was for this non-coved edge to be used for the right-to-left scale that I'm suggesting. Taking a cue from the Metric scales where the largest graduation used in 1 mm would have been more useful to your likely audience.
These missed opportunities aside, the rule looks like a fabulous tool that would be a pleasure to use over many years. I've got plenty of matte-finish stainless steel rules that employe the suggestions that I've made, but with their sharp edges and utilitarian feel they are just not satisfying to hold and use. I suspect that this rule is exactly the opposite and has those finer qualities...if only I could have better graduations.
I'm so glad I said yes.
By: Scott (Jul, 2022)
This ruler is truly a work of art! I can't resist turning it over in my hands. Nicely done--as usual. And remarkable that, in 2022, someone out there is working to make a better ruler.
I own this product.
LA
By: Bruce McCrory (Mar, 2022)
Just read your blog of 3/29/22. I'm a designer and drafter who used tilt-tops, flat-tops, and mice. My physical scales were those accumulated via attrition and they had beautifully worn edges that offered point-on scribe transfer. As Maylines and arm-machines(?) allow working from the south side your minor deviation from the original is definitely an advantage. If anything, I would suggest further modification to paring knife edge.
LA
By: Bruce McCrory (Dec, 2021)
Just received my drafting rule. The English/Metric w/ End Grads. Heavier than I have used; and, I still have many from my design-construction life. It's probably the handiest one, just don't canvass for any bigger. Occasionally, I treat myself. This is my new favorite.
I own this product.