My Favorite Slide Rules
General Purpose Slide RulesSIC 1610-D Circular Rule
A very powerful rule. Mine is a minty sample that glides in your hand. Pure elegance! Faber-Castell 2/83N Novo-Biplex A May 2006 article in Scientific American stated that this rule might be the most beautiful slide rule ever made. If not, it's not far from it! K&E 68-1608 (4053-5) 20" Polyphase Mannheim I bought this on eBay from a sweet girl, Amy, who said this was one of her late father's priced possessions. John, I'm happy to be the second owner! K&E Deci-Lon 5 (68-1300) Pocket Rule One of the best pocket rules ever made is the envy of many collectors. It was K&E's last, most durable and most powerful rule. K&E 4092-3 and N4092-5 Log Log Duplex I find the 4092 a joy to use, especially in the later variants that added the K-scale. It is beautifully constructed. It's extra-width and uncluttered arrangement of scales seems to strike the right aesthetic and feel. Pickett N600-ES Pocket Rule A version of this was the personal rule of Buzz Aldrin, which is said to have travelled with him to the moon upon Apollo 11. I love space; so I love this rule. Post 1461 Pocket Versalog 1 & 2 Slide Rules The pocket version of the famous Versalog is delightful and powerful. Made of bamboo, both varieties are elegant and gorgeous. I have several of these rules. Staedtler 544 28 Log Log Duplex Rule This is said to be a knock-off of the Faber-Castell 2/83N, but regardless, it's gorgeous and fun to use. |
Specialty Slide RulesHemmi 266 Electronic
One of my hobbies is electronics, so I might be biased. But this is a valuable slide rule that's a goal for any collector. Made of easy-gliding bamboo in mint condition, complete with box and leather case, the 266 belongs with my favorite rules. Pickett Model 100 Douglas Sky Rule This small rule was originally designed by the Douglas Aircraft Company for its aeronautical engineers and pilots to have everything it needs for fast reference as it regarded their airplanes. Pickett N525-ES "Stat-Rule" A slide rule made for statisticians, with a variety of scales never seen on any other rule. Graphoplex 698 Electronic Rule Akin to the Hemmi, this all-plastic rule is quite lovely. Often mistaken as "Raphoplex" because of the logo, this French maker made some of the sharpest slide rules of all. Dietzgen 1770T Carpenter's Rule I stole this one off of eBay and it's quite rare. As a woodworker myself, this old wooden rule, in almost perfect condition, is beyond cool! K&E Celanese Celcon This is a rare K&E rule made only in 1968 and of a special "Celcon" resin. It's green. But it's a Doric pocket rule like the 9068 model, noticeably heavier, and it's really lovely. I didn't think I'd like it as much as I actually do! |
Rare or Awesome RulesK&E Deci-Lon 10 (68-1929) Demonstrator
6.5 feet long in spectacular condition...it hangs in my classroom in all of its awesomeness. It's very rare! Pickett N1010-ES Demonstrator Also hanging in my classroom, this 7 foot slide rule gets your attention quickly. It does its job well! Thatcher Calculator - K&E Model 4012 One of the most famous rules ever, and also one of my favorites. I have a nice sample from around 1911 which sits in my classroom. It's glorious, wonderfully designed and constructed. Curta Type-II Mechanical Calculator One of the most amazing devices ever created. Even if it isn't technically a slide rule, it deserves mention here. I got mine broken, disassembled it, and rebuilt it to a working, cranking, computing machine! Hemmi No. 410 Involute of Gear Wheels Rule When a rare slide rule pops up on eBay, you snag it fast. This was a steal. But the real story was the original owner who passed 20+ years ago. Packaged in an envelope full of space stamps and with a hand-written note from the owner's daughter...turning a rare slide rule into something extraordinarily special. Fuller's Calculator The cylindrical rule that was built for 100 years, I have both Model 1 and Model 2 versions. They are perfect display pieces, functional yet with great history. Pickett C19-T Radio Transmission Rule This is a valuable, rare rule; something I consider one of the pinnacles of a Pickett slide rule collector. Glad to have purchased this from a sweet, fellow school teacher. |
