If you’re a woodworker or collector of antique tools, you know the value of having a good folding wood rule at your disposal. These rules have been around since the early 1800s and are still prized today for their accuracy and ease-of-use. Let’s take a look at what makes vintage folding wood rules so special.
History of Folding Wood Rules
Folding wood rules were first invented in Germany in the early 1800s. By 1864, the German company “Stabila” had developed folding rules with locking mechanisms that allowed them to be adjusted to any length without slipping out of position. Around this same time, American companies such as Stanley and Sargent began producing similar products. These vintage folding wood rules soon became popular among carpenters and other tradesmen due to their accuracy, durability, and portability.
The folding rule consisted of smaller six-inch rulers that were joined together by pivoting hinges and could extend to a length of over six feet. It allowed tradespeople the ability to draw straight lines without the use of a chalk line or mason’s line and was a valuable, compact tool to have on hand at any job site.
While still considered a trusted tool among masons and old-school carpenters, the introduction of the more flexible and even more compact measuring tape has caused the folding rule to lose some of its appeal.