The Clay Ruler: One Tool, Two Jobs achieved without breaking Your Flow
It’s happened to us all.
You’re halfway through throwing a piece, everything feels right… and then you stop.
Pick up a ruler. Measure your work. Put the ruler down. Pick the rib back up. Try to find your position again.
That stop–start breaks the rhythm. And in pottery, rhythm matters.
This is exactly the problem the clay ruler was designed to solve.
What it actually is
At its core, it’s simple.
A clay ruler is a wooden rib with laser engraved measurements along the edge.
- It behaves like a normal rib
- It supports and shapes the clay
- But at the same time, it tells you exactly what size you’re making
No swapping tools. No second guessing.
You’re shaping and measuring in one movement.
Why that matters (more than it sounds)
When you’re throwing, you’re not just making one piece.
You’re often trying to make a set.
- A run of mugs
- A batch of bowls
- A set of cylinders for an order
And consistency is the difference between something looking handmade… and something looking wrong.
If you’re aiming for:
- 100 mm diameter
- 120 mm height
You need to hit those numbers repeatedly.
The clay ruler lets you:
- Check height while you’re pulling the wall
- Check diameter as you’re shaping
- Make adjustments instantly, not after the fact
That’s the key point.
You correct while the clay is still workable, not when it’s too late.
How it’s used in practice
This is how it earns its place in your studio.
You hold the clay ruler exactly like a normal rib:
- Place it against the outside wall of the clay
- Use it to support and guide your shape
- At the same time, glance at the measurement markings
- Adjust pressure or position as needed
No extra steps.
It becomes part of the process rather than an add-on.
See the Clay Ruler in action in the video below.
Sizes and options (so you don’t buy the wrong one)
The clay ruler comes in a few variations. This isn’t just for choice — it’s about matching how you work.
Metric
- 15 cm
- 30 cm
Imperial
- 6 inch
- 12 inch
Orientation
- Left-handed
- Right-handed
That last point matters more than people expect.
If the markings are on the wrong side for how you hold the tool, you’ll end up twisting your body or adjusting your position just to read it. Over time, that becomes frustrating.
So it’s worth getting the version that matches your natural hand position.
Why did we make it out of wood?
The honest answer is we make ribs from wood and someone wanted something to measure their pottery with so we figured why not just add it to the rib. We gave it a try and it worked, the Clay Ruler Rib was born !
The benefits of using wood :
- A smooth, controlled contact with the clay
- Enough rigidity to support the wall
- A natural feel that doesn’t fight against your hands
And importantly, the engraved markings are permanent.
They don’t wear off like printed scales.
Where it fits in your throwing process
If you’re honest about how most people work, it usually looks like this:
- Shape with a rib
- Stop
- Measure with a ruler
- Adjust
- Repeat
The clay ruler removes that loop.
You go from:
Shape → Stop → Measure → Adjust
To:
Shape + Measure → Adjust immediately
It sounds small, but over a session it saves time, reduces errors, and keeps your focus where it should be …. on the clay.
Who this is actually for
This isn’t just for beginners trying to learn measurements.
It’s useful if you:
- Want consistent results across a batch
- Make functional ware where size matters
- Teach and need a clear reference tool
- Or simply want to reduce friction in your process
If you’re only ever making one-off pieces with no reference to size, you might not need it.
But if consistency matters even slightly, it earns its place very quickly.
The underlying idea
This tool exists for one reason:
Remove unnecessary steps.
Every time you put one tool down and pick another up, you introduce:
- Delay
- Disruption
- Opportunity for inconsistency
The clay ruler removes that gap.
If you want to see it in detail
The full product breakdown, options, and images are here:
https://hartleyandnoble.co.uk/clay-ruler-rib-285-p.asp
If you’re already using a rib and a ruler separately, you’re doing the same job twice.
This just combines them properly.
If you’ve got a specific setup or you’re not sure which size/orientation fits how you throw, send a message and we will be happy to help you choose the right one.
Just get in touch via email on [email protected] or give us a call +44 (0) 1933 273 873.
