My recent SS gift prompted me to re-activate this thread. So here are my most used measuring and marking tools. There is some duplication - the Japanese marker is now replaced by my very fine SS marking knife, but I include it because I had used it a lot and they are a bargain at around £10 (Axminster).
1] The Rolson 4" square - I have raved about this before. Under a tenner and my most-used square. (The second most-used is a 6" engineers square). Very well cast, machined, marked etc. It did benefit from a very light tune to the groove in rule so it ran more smoothly, but it's perfect for joints and much furniture-scale work. Note the small filed vee-nicks in the end of the rule - takes a pencil point so becomes a very handy marker too.
2] The Japanese marking knife (now supersceded by my fab SS). Again, around a tenner. The perfect blade form for me - goes left, right, flat for paring. I have a collection of failures - from Marples to Sabatier - this is (was) the one.
3] My amazing SS marking knife - the blade form I like best, made lovely. Light to hold, easier to handle than the Japanese one... perfect. Note the maker's initials on blade, and it was post-marked Southampton I recall. :wink:
4] A basic point-awl (no expert on awls - it's the flat square section so it cuts into the material better than a plain point). A pretty spalted holly handle. Job done. Use it first every time.
5] A cheapo stainless 6" steel rule (metric one side, imperial the other). Don't recall the make but again it's the first I reach for.
I found it took me years to decide what tools to put away, forget about. And it's only been by using these a lot that I have learned what I do and don't need.
And thanks to my SS - truly a bang-on gift for me.
[One more thing - Rod's 'Bridge City' square... stunning, want one, can't face the idea of trying to make one.]