A Hidden Gem – The Stanley Pocket Level

Over a decade ago, while visiting North Carolina, I stopped by the Vanderbilt house—an incredible place to see. Along the way, I passed a huge outdoor flea market. I can never resist those places, so I had to stop and browse.

At one booth, I came across a tiny level. It was filthy, and I couldn’t see a name on it, but its weight told me it was well-made and old. I asked the vendor what he knew about it. He confidently told me it was an old line level—something he claimed to know well as a retired bricklayer.

Having Doubts

A line level? That didn’t sit right with me.

I’ve been a finish carpenter and custom furniture maker for over 25 years, and I’ve only used a line level a handful of times. Line levels are meant for long distances; they hang from a string stretched across a span, ensuring bricks or fences stay straight. But this little level didn’t seem suited for that.

First, it was too heavy—it would make the string sag, ruining accuracy. Second, the screw on its base didn’t seat all the way down, meaning it would need an unusually thick string. And lastly, the man selling it didn’t seem much older than me, making me question his claim of being a retired bricklayer. Still, for $5, it was worth the mystery.

The Hunt Begins

Once I got home, I cleaned it up. Under the grime, a brass faceplate emerged, and with more rubbing, I uncovered an inscription: Stanley Pat. Feb. 18.90. With that clue in hand, I turned to the “all-knowing” internet.

Search results confirmed what I already suspected—it was a small pocket level, often mislabeled as a line level. But I wanted to go deeper. That’s when I stumbled into some fascinating Stanley history.

Unraveling the Tool’s History

Stanley began as a hardware store in 1823, founded by Frederick T. Stanley in New Britain, Connecticut. In 1857, his cousin, Henry Stanley, started the Stanley Rule and Level Company. The two eventually merged in 1920, forming what became Stanley Works. (But that’s a story for another day.)

Even with all that history, I still couldn’t confirm the tool’s exact purpose. That changed one day while demonstrating hand tools at a trade show. An older gentleman picked up the level and asked if I knew what it was for. I admitted I didn’t. He smiled, walked over to my framing square, and attached it.

“This,” he said, “is a quick way for a framing carpenter to check level.”

It was ingenious. It fit perfectly. But I had no proof—just his word.

Then, I found the evidence.

I searched through old Sears & Roebuck catalogs from 1902—nothing. I checked Traditional Woodworking Hand Tools by Graham Blackburn (click here for the book) and Dictionary of Tools by R.A. Salaman (click here for the book)—still nothing.

The Proof

Finally, I found a 1914 Stanley tools catalog. And there, on page 29, was my proof: a small illustration of the level attached to a framing square. It was listed as a Straight Edge Pocket Level. There were two versions—one with a japanned top plate for 13 cents and a brass-top model (like mine) for a whopping 14 cents! Adjusted for inflation, that’s about $5—exactly what I paid! 😀

I’m surprised this little tool isn’t still in production. It’s practical, convenient, and an example of simple, smart design. Who knows—maybe one day, someone will read this article and will bring it back to life.

Until then, I’ve enjoyed the long journey of uncovering the truth behind this little gem.

If you’ve enjoyed this story, please share it and encourage others to subscribe. And if you have any additional information, I’d love to hear from you at [email protected].