Designed for use in the demanding environments of machine shops and factories, under conditions that often prove destructive for rulers of less hardy construction. The Lance rulers are constructed of black, anodized, hardened aluminum, .090" thick and 1" wide. The calibrations are able to withstand extensive wear and tear because they are engraved through the black, anodized coating into the aluminum. The calibrations appear in the sharp contrast of silver lines against a black background.