Ruling pen

A ruling pen is a drawing instrument for drawing with ink or with other drawing fluids.

A ruling pen contains ink in a slot between two flexible metal jaws, which are tapered to a point. It enables precise rendering of the thinnest lines.^[1] The line width can be adjusted by an adjustment screw connecting the jaws.^[2] The adjustment screw can optionally have a number dial.

Illustration of ruling pen use from *A Textbook on Ornamental Design* (1901)

Originally used for technical drawings in engineering and cartography together with straight rulers and French curves, it is today used for specific uses, such as picture framing or calligraphy.^[1]

In the Soviet Union, ruling pens were widely used by women for eyebrow hair removal,^[3] being used as tweezers.

References

^ ^a ^b Cicale, Ann (2006). The Art & Craft of Hand Lettering. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. p. 96. ISBN 978-1-57990-809-6.
^ Kirby, Richard Shelton (1918). The Fundamentals of Mechanical Drawing. J. Wiley & Sons, Inc. pp. 8–9.
^ "Рейсфедер для бровей".

[Cicale-1] Cicale, Ann (2006). The Art & Craft of Hand Lettering. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. p. 96. ISBN 978-1-57990-809-6.

[Kirby-2] Kirby, Richard Shelton (1918). The Fundamentals of Mechanical Drawing. J. Wiley & Sons, Inc. pp. 8–9.

[3] "Рейсфедер для бровей".

[1]

[2]

[3]

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See also

References