Ruler Knife

[herder]

Per Jack's suggestion...

It almost seems odd in this modern high tech world that so many things are still valued and sold by size or weight. From food to fuel to building materials, scales and rulers are not obsolete yet.

Knives have been around forever and it isn't a stretch to think that rulers have accompanied them since early on. It is known through "Smith's Key" from 1816 that a knife with a ruler on the handle existed over 200 years ago in England. Certainly, knives with rulers incorporated were in existence long before that. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, all metal ruler knives were fairly popular and were produced by several Sheffield cutlers. Since then, many unique ruler knives have been produced by various cutlery companies from around the world. Enclosed are a few examples and please feel free to add more.



Catalog cut from "Smith's Key" 1816



Ibberson ruler knife, Sheffield c. 1920s - 1930s



Newton of Sheffield catalog cut



CEM (Cellini Espero Maniago) Italian metal rolling ruler (tape measure) c. 1960

 

[afishhunter]

This should be interesting.

 

[Ernie1980]

I love that Ibberson! Nice thread idea

 

[waynorth]

Nice intro post, Neal!!
I hope we get some more good ones!
Here's my lonesome ruler (so far); worn and patina-ed, but snappy and useful;
Stamped on both blades;
JOSEPH
WESTBY (the B was broken in their stamp)
SHEFFIELD

 

[Rich S]

Have one also, by a German company. Sorry no digicam, so no pics :-(

Rich

 

[5K Qs]

Cool thread and interesting examples, herder!
Here's a current model with 16-inch folding ruler from Marbles that I picked up recently.

- GT

 

[Jack Black]

Well done Herder I'm just on my phone at the moment, but will try and get some pics posted when I get home

 

[smiling-knife]

Excellent. Here's a George Ibberson with a six inch rule. It has 1934 registration on the scale. I have a 12inch rule version also, but need to take pics.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

Cool thread, great topic and I really want the Handyman Helper II . I love the difference between the Sheffield from the early part of the 20th century compared to today, the attention to detail was really evident back then but the HH2 looks to be well made too.

Don't forget rulers on the SAKs, usually if it had a scaler/hook disgorger there was a useless for measuring anything other than bait fish ruler on it but it was there.

 

[Jack Black]

Great pics guys I will need to take some new ones I think, but will see what I have in the bucket!

Here's my Joseph Westby

 

[Jack Black]

By coincidence, I borrowed a couple of old Buck & Hickman catologues today. These are from the 1935 edition.

 

[Gevonovich]

Great thread idea! Subscribed and making popcorn from the gallery

 

[Jack Black]

Here's a mint Harrison Fisher.

 

[Jack Black]

Here's my Ibberson. In pretty nasty shape I'm afraid

 

[Jack Black]

 

[Jack Black]

Here's another pic of the old Bow Works, as it was when I was a kid, after Chesterman amalgamated with Rabone. I used to pass it a couple of times a day.

 

[Jack Black]

Here's another Westby Ruler Knife.

 

[RickT57]

For sure worth dropping in. That tape measure is an awesome idea.
I brought butter for the popcorn.

 

[Jack Black]

Most of these aren't my scans, they're downloaded from the old ads sticky

Smith's Key 1816



Army & Navy Stores Catalogue 1907









Manton & Co 1926

 

[Jack Black]

http://s1316.photobucket.com/user/j...rookes Anglers Knife 2-3_zpsbmwgosue.jpg.html
I also came across these, while going through my Photobucket pics.

Brookes & Crookes Fly-Fisherman's Knife.

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I forget who made this French Horseman's Knife, but it has a spring balance as well as a rule.