Makers Cabinet Folding Ruler Stria

The Stria is a folding ruler made of solid brass with a finely brushed surface – manufactured in Great Britain, designed for an entire working life. Its centerpiece is a dovetail hinge made from the same brass, which locks into four angular positions with noticeable resistance. Once you've measured with metal, you'll rarely want to go back to the plastic alternative.

Features

• Dovetail hinge with four detent points: The hinge locks at 45°, 90°, 135° and 180° – the tactile feedback makes angular constructions possible without a protractor. The mechanism is designed after the classic dovetail joint.
• Adjustable hinge tension: A precisely engineered wedge with set screws allows you to adjust the friction in the hinge individually. Adjustment is made via a knurled screw that is firm and easy to operate.
• Metric and imperial scale: Both sides feature complete markings – metric on one side, imperial on the other. The scale measures seamlessly from edge to edge, with divisions down to 0.5 mm.
• Angled resting position: When unfolded, the Stria rests slightly angled on the work surface due to its geometry – the scale lifts up and is readable without contortion, similar to a drawing ruler with a raised bottom edge.
• Brass with a living surface: Brushed brass feels cool and heavy in the hand. Over time, it develops an individual patina – the material changes character with use without wearing out.
• Flat on both sides: Whether folded or fully open – the Stria lies flat on any surface without tipping. This makes it as stable when cutting with a cutter as when drawing lines with a fineliner or ink.

Application & Tips

• Sketching and construction: The 45° and 90° detent angles allow quick isometric drawing and floor plan constructions without additional angle tools. Particularly practical in sketchbooks on the go.
• Cutting with a cutter: The weight of the brass holds the ruler securely on the paper. The flat, wedge-like edge can be used directly as a cutting edge – without slipping under light pressure.
• Hand lettering and calligraphy layouts: The 0.5 mm divisions help with precise pre-ruling of baselines and line heights. Combined with ink-resistant paper, the ruler edge can be traced directly with wet ink without smudging.
• Transport and storage: Folded, the Stria measures only 15 cm – it fits in any case and jacket pocket. The optional leather case (sold separately) protects the brushed surface from scratches.
• Maintaining or preserving patina: Brushed brass oxidizes over time and takes on golden-brown to coppery tones. If you want to keep the surface bright, you can treat it with a soft cloth and some brass polish. If you appreciate the patina, simply let the material do its work.

For Tool Enthusiasts

The Stria's dovetail hinge is not a decorative quotation, but a functional borrowing: the trapezoidal fit between the two brass arms creates the detent points through geometric form-fit – not through springs or plastic knobs. The wedge with set screws adjusts how tightly the two halves slide against each other. If you set the resistance low, you can open the Stria one-handed; if you increase it, you get a position that remains stable even under lateral pull from a cutting blade. The knurled screw that tightens this wedge can – according to the manufacturer – be stored in the appropriate storage case, so the tool can be readjusted at any time.

Technical Data